Contact Information: Ben Washburn, washburn.ben@epa.gov, 816-518-4154

LENEXA, KAN. (DEC. 19, 2023) – Cobalt Boats LLC will pay $133,780 in civil penalties to resolve alleged violations of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the company generates large amounts of hazardous waste at its Neodesha, Kansas, boat manufacturing facility and failed to comply with regulations intended to prevent releases of hazardous waste, including:

• Failure to maintain and operate the facility to minimize the possibility of a fire, explosion, or unplanned release of hazardous waste.
• Failure to monitor pumps and valves to detect potential leaks of hazardous waste.
• Failure to maintain required records.
• Storage of potentially incompatible hazardous wastes.

“This settlement demonstrates EPA’s commitment to protect communities from releases of hazardous waste,” said David Cozad, director of EPA Region 7’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “The Agency is also committed to leveling the playing field for companies that comply with federal law.”

EPA discovered the alleged violations during a February 2022 inspection. In response to EPA’s findings, Cobalt Boats promptly took the necessary steps to return to compliance.

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act creates the framework for the proper management of hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste.

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Learn more about the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

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