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EPA Seeks Penalty for Lack of Oil Spill Prevention Measures at Newport News Boat Yard

Release Date: 9/8/2000
Contact Information: Ruth Wuenschel, (215) 814-5540

Ruth Wuenschel, 215-814-5540

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has cited Davis Boat Works for Clean Water Act violations at its boat yard and oil storage facility here. EPA’s complaint proposes a $41,318 penalty for alleged violations of regulations to prevent and control oil spills.

The company did not have a required “spill prevention, control and countermeasure” (SPCC) plan for its 50,000-plus gallon oil storage facility, did not have adequate “secondary containment” to capture spills from two tanks, and did not develop and implement required training and emergency response plans. Inspectors also found a pin-hole leak in a tank.

The violations were discovered during a July 29, 1999 EPA inspection of the facility. After the inspection, the company did provide the EPA with the SPCC plan.

With billions of gallons of oil in storage throughout the U.S., oil spills pose a constant threat to land and water resources. EPA’s SPCC regulations are designed to reduce the serious health and environmental risks of oil and petroleum product leaks.

The company may request a hearing to contest EPA’s allegations and proposed penalty. The public also has the opportunity submit comments on the complaint and penalty. All comments should be addressed to:

Regional Hearing Clerk (3RC00)
U.S. EPA, Region III
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
CWA-3-2000-0029