18 ELR 20418 -- Al Tech Specialty Steel Corp. v. United States Environmental Protection Agency

Al Tech Specialty Steel Corp. v. United States Environmental Protection Agency

No. 86-CV-520 (674 F. Supp. 72, 27 ERC 1785) (N.D.N.Y. November 25, 1987)

The court holds that a surface impoundment for hazardous waste is subject to regulation under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the New York State Environmental Conservation Law. Although the hazardous emissions dust was placed in the related landfill prior to the effective date of the RCRA regulations, hazardous leachate continues to be generated anew when rainwater mixes with the emission dust and percolates down into the impoundment. Therefore, the surface impoundment actively "stores" hazardous waste. In addition, the surface impoundment is not exempt from RCRA as a "totally enclosed treatment facility" because it is not directly connected to the industrial production processes, does not treat the leachate while it is being stored, and is not constructed in a manner that prevents the release of the hazardous substances into the environment.

Counsel for Plaintiff
Paul R. Braunsdorf
Harris, Beach, Wilcox, Rubin & Levy
Granite Bldg., 130 E. Main St., Rochester NY 14604
(716) 232-4440

Counsel for Defendants
Beth S. Ginsburg
Land and Natural Resources Division
Department of Justice, Washington DC 20530
(202) 633-2000

Robert Abrams, Attorney General; Michael J. Moore
Department of Law
State Capitol, Albany NY 12224
(518) 474-7330

[18 ELR 20418]

McAVOY, District Judge.

This matter came on before the Court for hearing on cross motions for summary judgment. The Court having carefully reviewed the parties' written submissions and having heard oral argument, concludes as follows:

The surface impoundment at Al Tech's Watervliet plant actively stores leachate that has been determined to be hazardous. The hazardous content of the leachate is undisputed as it is derived from emission control dust, and baghouse bags, a listed hazardous waste known as "KO61" under 40 C.F.R. § 261.30 and 6 N.Y.C.R.R. § 371.4, and is "EP toxic" as it exceeds the standard for Extraction Procedure toxicity. 40 C.F.R. § 261.30; 6 N.Y.C.R.R. § 371.3.

The emission control dust and baghouse bags were disposed of in the Watervliet landfill prior to the effective date of RCRA's implementing regulations. Yet, notwithstanding the origins of the leachate, it continues to be generated anew when rainwater mixes with the emission control dust. The leachate then percolates through the landfill down a number of rivulets and lands in the surface impoundment where it is ultimately stored prior to its transmission to the water treatment facility. Since the surface impoundment actively "stores" hazardous waste within the meaning of 40 C.F.R. § 260.10 and 6 N.Y.C.R.R. 370.3(b)140, it is thus subject to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, ("RCRA") 42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq, and Title 9 of Article 27 of the New York State Environmental Conservation Law.

In addition, the surface impoundment fails to qualify for the exemption for "totally enclosed treatment facilities" pursuant to 40 C.F.R. § 264.1(g)(5); 6 N.Y.C.R.R. § 370.2(b)(146) and must thus be subject to the requirements of RCRA. The surface impoundment is not directly connected to the industrial production processes, does not treat the leachate while it is being stored, and is not constructed in a manner that prevents the release of the hazardous substances into the environment.

It is hereby ORDERED that summary judgment be GRANTED defendants the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Summary judgment is hereby DENIED plaintiff AL Tech Specialty Steel.