Kalispell, MT – Garlick Helicopter, Incorporated (GHI), a Montana-based aircraft repair business, was sentenced earlier this year after pleading guilty to federal charges stemming from a decade of improper hazardous waste handling. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), revealed a pattern of illegal storage and disposal practices that posed a significant threat to the environment and public health.
For approximately ten years, GHI generated a variety of hazardous wastes as a byproduct of its airplane and helicopter painting and repair operations. These wastes included spent solvents, paint stripper residue, aviation fuel (JP-4), used oil, and contaminated solvent cleaners. Instead of properly managing these materials, GHI accumulated them on-site in a dangerous and non-compliant manner.
Investigators discovered that liquid hazardous wastes were routinely stored in a 1,000-gallon concrete septic tank located *inside* the company’s paint stripping room. Solid paint waste was collected in catch basins and sumps within the same room. Additional wastes were haphazardly stored in a collection of five and 55-gallon drums. The most egregious violation, however, involved the illegal treatment and disposal of solid paint waste in an unlined burn pit located behind the facility. This practice allowed hazardous substances to leach into the surrounding soil and potentially contaminate groundwater.
The EPA’s investigation culminated in a criminal information filed against GHI. On January 13, 1994, the company’s president entered a guilty plea to one count of violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The sentencing, handed down on March 25, 1994, included a $30,000 fine and a 36-month period of supervised probation. The charges specifically cited 42 U.S.C. 6928(d), which prohibits the illegal storage of hazardous waste.
While the financial penalty and probationary period represent a measure of accountability, environmental watchdogs note that the long-term environmental impact of GHI’s actions may not be fully known for years to come. The unlined burn pit presents a continuing risk of soil and water contamination, potentially requiring costly remediation efforts. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of strict adherence to environmental regulations, even for seemingly small businesses.
The EPA continues to prioritize enforcement of RCRA regulations to protect communities from the dangers of improperly managed hazardous waste. This case highlights the agency’s commitment to pursuing criminal penalties against those who knowingly endanger the environment and public health through illegal waste disposal practices.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Garlick Helicopter, Incorporated
- Location: Kalispell, Montana
- Crime: Illegal storage and disposal of hazardous waste
- Statute Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(d) – Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
- Waste Types: Spent solvent, paint stripper waste, JP-4 fuel, waste oil, waste solvent cleaner, solid paint waste
- Illegal Disposal Method: Unlined burn pit
- Penalty: $30,000 fine and 36 months supervised probation
- Plea Date: January 13, 1994
- Sentence Date: March 25, 1994
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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