EPA cites Gardnerville man with illegal dumping

A Gardnerville businessman was cited by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for allegedly violating federal law governing the safe handling and disposal of solid and hazardous waste.

According to a news release from the EPA today, Reed Skenandore operates an auto dismantling business and an un-permitted illegal waste disposal site that has resulted in open dumping and illegal disposal of hazardous waste over an 80-acre site. The facility is located in Indian Country located near Gardnerville.

Skenandore's auto dismantling and illegal waste disposal site not only contained waste from the on-site dismantling of automobiles, but also contained large quantities of waste accepted from off site, according to the EPA. Wastes included abandoned automobiles, trailers, tires, car batteries, construction waste, used oil, used appliances, televisions and computer monitors, waste paint, and aerosol cans.

Additionally, the facility allegedly did not properly manage automobile fluids and oil which can result in environmental contamination. Used oil must be properly contained, labeled, and sent off site for proper recycling.

EPA's administrative complaint alleges that Reed Skenandore violated the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) by:

• Open dumping of solid waste;

• Open burning of solid waste;

• Failing to notify EPA of its waste handling activity and to apply for an EPA identification number;

• Failing to label containers of used oil; and

• Failure to respond to releases of oil to the environment.

Under the Recovery Act, EPA can assess a civil penalty of up to $37,500 per day, per violation.

For more information on the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act program, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/cleanup/rcra/index.html