The state health department has fined a Montrose metals company $420,000 for treating, storing and disposing of hazardous waste without a permit.
Inspections conducted by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment last year found that Elizabeth Mining and Development Inc. was storing waste on site that contained high levels of lead, chromium and other metals.
The department issued an order in February requiring the company to cease operations until they got a hazardous waste permit.
The state also told the company to take corrective actions, including installing monitoring wells.
State health department officials say the company has not completed all of the work that was ordered.
“These are the rules any company that generates hazardous waste has to follow when conducting business,” said Gary Baughman, director of the hazardous materials and waste management division.
Baughman said the company’s handling of the waste may have contaminated soil and groundwater.
The department is conducting tests and expects to have results by spring.
The company, which removes metals from old automobile catalytic converters, has been in operation about 20 years, health department officials say.
Steve Casebolt, one of the company’s officers, said testing paid for by the company has not revealed any contamination.
Casebolt said he expects to fight the state health department’s claims in court.
“It’s complete garbage,” he said. “I know it. They know it. We have bent over backwards to comply.”
A department spokeswoman said she could not say whether further action will be taken.
Attorney General John Suthers issued a statement Thursday along with the health department’s announcement, stating how important it is to protect the environment.
“Elizabeth Mining and its owners flagrantly disregarded hazardous waste law provisions,” Suthers said. “The penalty for turning their backs on our laws and environment will cost them almost half a million dollars.”
Staff writer Kim McGuire can be reached at 303-954-1240 or kmcguire@denverpost.com.
