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JG Sablan not aware of new EPA complaint
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Posted on Mar 28 2006
JG Sablan Rock Quarry president John Sablan said he is unaware of a latest complaint filed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency against the company, claiming that it has been carefully complying with necessary federal regulations.
“I didn’t receive anything from EPA. I’ve complied already with the previous order so I’m surprised about this new complaint,” said Sablan yesterday.
He said EPA issued an order against the company in May 2005. As a result, he shipped 18 drums of used oil to Guam for proper disposal last August, and two drums each week since then. He said only about 16 drums of used oil remain in “a safe” storage area in Lower Base, Saipan.
“We continue to ship them. We’re also very strict when it comes to our storage tanks. As far as I know the storage area is safe. It’s concrete with a roof. It has no leaks. It’s completely dry,” said Sablan.
In a press statement from Honolulu last weekend, EPA said it recently filed a complaint against the company for storing used oil in corroded and leaking drums in its facility on Saipan. EPA said the company failed to comply with the May 2005 order, requiring the proper management and disposal of used oil and hazardous waste.
“Failure to comply with hazardous waste regulations endangers both human health and the environment and will not be tolerated,” said Jeff Scott, director of Waste Programs for the EPA Pacific Southwest Region in the statement.
Sablan for his part said that since June 2005, several tests were done to ensure compliance with the rules. He said there have been 16 soil sample tests and 18 oil tests and all tests “turned out good.”
