Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corp, Haz Waste, AK 2023

Whittier, AK – Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation (PWSAC), a major Alaskan hatchery operator, has been sentenced following a criminal investigation into the illegal disposal of hazardous waste and resulting employee injury. The case, brought by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), reveals a pattern of negligence in handling dangerous materials at the company’s Cannery Creek Hatchery and potentially other facilities.

According to court documents, on June 27, 2018, a maintenance manager at the Cannery Creek Hatchery directed an employee to burn several 50-gallon drums containing hazardous waste. This reckless act resulted in serious injuries to the employee. Investigators discovered that PWSAC had been accumulating hazardous waste for *years* without implementing proper storage or disposal methods, creating a dangerous environment for its workers and potential environmental risks.

The EPA’s investigation uncovered a systemic failure to comply with federal and state regulations regarding hazardous waste management. The company’s practices directly violated 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), a cornerstone of the nation’s hazardous waste laws. RCRA mandates the safe management of hazardous waste “from cradle to grave,” ensuring it doesn’t endanger public health or the environment. PWSAC’s actions bypassed these crucial safeguards.

On February 16, 2023, PWSAC was sentenced to a $450,000 fine and ordered to pay $550,000 in restitution. Beyond the financial penalties, the company was placed on five years of probation. As part of the probation terms, PWSAC is required to develop and implement a comprehensive environmental compliance plan. This includes creating an environmental compliance manual and undergoing regular, independent audits conducted by a third-party auditor to ensure future adherence to regulations.

Further compounding the issue, the former maintenance manager, identified as Tompkins, also faced criminal consequences. On April 6, 2023, Tompkins received a suspended 180-day prison sentence and a year of probation for their role in directing the illegal burning of the hazardous waste. While the sentence is suspended, it serves as a warning that individual responsibility will be pursued in environmental crimes.

This case highlights the critical importance of responsible hazardous waste management, particularly in industrial settings like aquaculture hatcheries. The EPA continues to emphasize that companies must prioritize employee safety and environmental protection, or risk facing severe criminal and financial penalties. GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and report on PWSAC’s compliance with the terms of its probation.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation (PWSAC)
Location: Cannery Creek Hatchery, Alaska
Crime: Illegal hazardous waste disposal, resulting in employee injury.
Date of Incident: June 27, 2018
Statute Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) – Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Penalties: $450,000 fine, $550,000 restitution, 5 years probation for PWSAC. 180-day suspended sentence and 1-year probation for Tompkins.
Probation Terms: Environmental compliance plan, manual creation, third-party audits.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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