Boatbuilder Fined for Waste Violations

The state Department of Ecology (Ecology) has fined Glacier Bay Inc. $39,000 for repeatedly failing to meet five safety and environmental requirements for handling dangerous waste.

While the Monroe boat-builder fulfilled some portions of the state's dangerous-waste regulations, it did not consistently correct the five violations between April 2002 and March of this year. During that time, Ecology tried to help the company come into compliance by making technical assistance available.

The company failed to properly label drums that stored waste acetone and did not provide adequate secondary containment in case of leaks or spills. Acetone is highly flammable and requires special safeguards to prevent fires or explosions, and its fumes are toxic.

The facility also did not have written plans to address leaks, spills and other emergencies nor a plan for training personnel in handling hazardous wastes. The firm also failed to determine if some of its wastes were hazardous.

"For two years, we asked Glacier Bay to follow the same rules that all manufacturers must meet," said Darin Rice, who manages Ecology's hazardous-waste program. "We recognize the company has recently begun developing programs to ensure ongoing compliance, but we expected improvements much sooner after the problems were identified."

As part of the enforcement action, Ecology also ordered Glacier Bay to correct the violations, to ensure ongoing compliance as a part of daily operations and to train employees to properly follow the state's dangerous-waste requirements. The order sets deadlines for detailed progress reports.

Glacier Bay may seek an Ecology review of the penalty and order within 15 days and may appeal to the state Pollution Control Hearings Board within 30 days.