The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reached a settlement with Alaska’s North Slope Borough over alleged hazardous waste violations.
EPA officials said Thursday the borough stored more than 45,000 pounds of hazardous waste in Barrow without a storage permit required under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Officials say the borough also failed to perform at least five hazardous waste determinations at the site.
The EPA says the violations occurred between 2012 and 2014.
Officials say the waste included antifreeze contaminated with benzene, corrosive solvents and other materials. The waste has been removed.
EPA spokeswoman Judy Smith says the borough has 30 days to pay a penalty of more than $445,000 as part of the agreement reached earlier this month.
Acting North Slope Borough attorney Teresa Bowen did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
