Public Notice: Proposed Closure Plan for Hazardous Waste Management Units in the North Slope Borough
Summary
EPA is requesting public comment on its proposal to partially approve and modify two closure plans for hazardous waste management units in the North Slope Borough. The closure of the unpermitted units includes six sites in Atqasuk and eight sites in Nuiqsut that are owned and operated by the North Slope Borough.
The closure of these hazardous waste management units is required as part of a legal agreement, called a consent decree, signed in 2022 between the U.S. Department of Justice and North Slope Borough. The consent decree requires closing unpermitted hazardous waste management units in 10 communities across the North Slope Borough.
Atqasuk and Nuiqsut are the first communities to close their units. Closure of the units in the other North Slope Borough communities is scheduled through 2026.
Closure of unpermitted hazardous waste management units is required under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. EPA is required to review and approve all closure plans including holding a 30-day public comment period.
EPA’s reviews help to ensure the closure effectively protects people’s health and the environment.
Documents
Copies of the draft closure plans and supporting documents are available for review below.
- Atqasuk Hazardous Waste Management Facility Closure Plan (pdf)
- Proposed Atqasuk Closure Plan Addendum and Modifications (pdf)
- Nuiqsut Hazardous Waste Management Facility Closure Plan (pdf)
- Proposed Nuiqsut Closure Plan Addendum and Modifications (pdf)
- North Slope Borough Quality Assurance Project Plan (pdf)
- EPA's Comments on the Quality Assurance Project Plan (pdf)