News Release 055
Department of Natural Resources refers 18 businesses to attorney general for failure to pay hazardous waste fees
Volume 38-055 (For Immediate Release)
Contact: Larry Archer
573-751-3807
JEFFERSON CITY, MO, FEB. 4, 2010-- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has referred 18 businesses to the Missouri Attorney General's Office to pursue legal action for failure to pay hazardous waste-related fees from either fiscal year 2006 or fiscal year 2007 in violation of Missouri's Hazardous Waste Management Law and Regulations.
Businesses that generate, handle or dispose of hazardous waste in Missouri pay fees, including hazardous waste generator registration fees and in-state hazardous waste disposal fees. These fees help fund the department's Hazardous Waste Program, which protects Missouri's environmental and public health from threats posed by hazardous waste. One important function of the Hazardous Waste Program is to keep track of businesses that deal with hazardous waste to ensure the hazardous waste is properly and safely handled. If a hazardous waste spill does occur, the department uses these funds to make sure the contamination is properly cleaned up.
The following businesses were referred for failure to pay 2006 fees:
- Blue Anchor Marina in Gravois Mills.
- Brass Eagle in Neosho.
- Bulk Haulers in St. Louis.
- Caplan Property in Springfield.
- Electro Painters in Fenton.
- IRS, former main post office in Kansas City.
- Pioneer Machine Products Inc in St. Louis.
- St Louis Retinning Co. in St. Louis.
The following businesses were referred for failure to pay 2007 fees:
- A & B Cleaners in Sikeston.
- Everyday Conoco in Independence.
- Fifth Avenue Cleaners in Kansas City.
- Gil's Body Shop in Gladstone.
- Harrison Lumber and Hardware in St. Louis.
- Hazelwood Commerce Center in Hazelwood.
- Southwest Vanguard in Branson.
- US Cleaners in Kansas City.
- US Cleaners in St. Louis.
- Whisk Products Inc in Wentzville.
The department is asking the attorney general to seek the amount that is due in outstanding fees including late fees.
Missouri's Hazardous Waste Management Law exists to protect public and environmental health and the department is responsible for enforcing the law and regulations.
The department's enforcement actions help protect human health and the environment by requiring facilities to maintain compliance. The main goal in any enforcement action is to work with a facility to successfully achieve compliance with the standards and then ensure it has the tools to remain in compliance. As part of that process, penalties may be used ensure future compliance by removing the economic benefit of continued noncompliance.
The department strives to work with owners and operators to fix problems before an issue is referred. In situations where the responsible party is unwilling or unable to cooperate to bring the facility into compliance and be protective of human health and the environment, the department will refer the case.
For more information, contact the department's Hazardous Waste Program at 573-751-3176 or call toll-free at 800-361-4827.
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