- Dec. 17, 2004: ADEQ Takes Actions Against Arizona Sunset RV Park for Water Quality Violations
- Dec. 17, 2004: ADEQ Director Owens Announces EPA Decision to Designate Arizona in Compliance with Fine Particulate Matter Standard
- Dec. 14, 2004: ADEQ Closure of IWU Facility Upheld
- Dec. 2, 2004: ADEQ Extends Public Comment Period on Proposed Air Quality Permit for Refinery
PHOENIX (Dec. 17, 2004) -- Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Director Steve Owens today announced that the Arizona Sunset RV Park in Salome in La Paz County will pay a $3,000 penalty for violations of state drinking water quality standards.
The violations were discovered by ADEQ earlier this year. Arizona Sunset RV Park failed to adequately monitor drinking water sources and exceeded the drinking water standards for nitrate. The nitrate exceedances of the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) occurred in 2003 and 2004.
The settlement finalized last week requires Arizona Sunset RV Park to immediately address the high levels of nitrate in drinking water supplies by submitting a Plan of Action to ADEQ in which the RV park will either haul drinking water to residents from an approved source or connect with the Town of Salome's drinking water source.
"The residents of Arizona Sunset RV Park have a right to safe drinking water," Director Owens said. "We have worked aggressively to ensure that drinking water in the area is provided from an approved source and meets all applicable water quality standards."
The administrative penalty of $3,000 will be paid to the state in six monthly installments beginning Jan. 1, 2005.
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PHOENIX (Dec. 17, 2004) -- Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Director Steve Owens today announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has designated Arizona as being in compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in size, referred to as PM2.5. EPA officially notified the State about the designation today.
The tiny particles that fall under this designation come from multiple sources, such as industrial and automobile and diesel engine emissions. These fine particles, which are as small as a grain of flour, pose a significant threat to public health because they can persist in the ambient air for an extended period of time. Inhalation of the particles can aggravate respiratory illnesses, including asthma, and the particles can be difficult to expel from the lungs.
"This is another sign that the clean air efforts we are undertaking are working," said Director Owens. "Arizonans can breathe easier knowing that air quality across our state is improving."
Populations most sensitive to the effects of PM2.5 include individuals with asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, influenza, pulmonary disease, children and the elderly.
The decision covers all Arizona cities and counties, excluding tribal lands.
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PHOENIX (Dec. 14, 2004) -- Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Director Steve Owens announced today that the department's decision to revoke the hazardous waste permit of Innovative Waste Utilization has been upheld by a state administrative law judge. Owens signed an order formally accepting the ALJ's ruling today.
ADEQ revoked IWU's permit and ordered IWU to cease operations at its hazardous waste collection facility in South Phoenix in February 2003 after law enforcement officials arrested several employees at the facility on various drug-related charges relating to the illegal removal and distribution of drug lab waste being processed at the facility. IWU filed an administrative appeal of ADEQ's order revoking the permit, and a hearing was held on the appeal in September 2004.
In rejecting IWU's appeal, the ALJ said that the testimony and exhibits presented at the hearing "demonstrate overwhelmingly that ADEQ had ample and substantial evidence upon which to conclude that IWU had violated its hazardous waste permit when its employees repeatedly removed and diverted drug lab waste . . . and reintroduced that material back into the illegal methamphetamine manufacturing and distribution trade."/p>
"ADEQ acted quickly and appropriately to deal with a very serious situation," ADEQ Director Owens said. "This decision sends a clear message that outrageous violations of the law such as this simply will not be tolerated."
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PHOENIX (Dec. 2, 2004) -- The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has extended the public comment period on the proposed air quality permit for the Arizona Clean Fuels Yuma refinery in Yuma County.
The comment period is being extended to Monday, Jan. 10, 2005. The extension was requested by community members following the recent public hearings on the proposed air quality permit.
The refinery, proposed by Arizona Clean Fuels Yuma, LLC, would be located on an approximately 1,450-acre site and could produce approximately 150,000 barrels per day of motor fuels, including approximately 85,000 barrels per day of motor gasoline, 35,000 barrels per day of diesel fuel and 30,000 barrels per day of jet fuel.
"We want to make sure that all interested community members have a fair opportunity to comment on the proposed permit," ADEQ Director Steve Owens said.
Those people wishing to submit comments should send them to: ADEQ, Air Quality Division Director, 1110 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007.
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