SEATTLE (August 31, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that Jens Schkade of Grand View, Idaho has agreed to pay a $88,749 penalty over violations of the Clean Air Act related to the safe handling and disposal of asbestos.
In 2021, Schkade demolished a former retail building called the Square Deal Store in Grand View, Idaho. After tearing down the building, Schkade transported the debris, including approximately 10,000 square feet of asbestos-containing asphalt roofing, to his private property and burned it.
The demolition project was subject to federal asbestos laws under the Clean Air Act. EPA alleged that Schkade failed to survey the site for asbestos and notify EPA before beginning demolition, and to follow work practice standards designed to protect against asbestos contamination and exposure during building demolition and waste disposal.
Schkade voluntarily cleaned up the debris in coordination with EPA.
“Proper removal and disposal of asbestos containing materials is essential to ensuring that asbestos fibers are not released during demolition or renovation,” said EPA Region 10 Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Director Ed Kowalski. “When you fail to follow those procedures, your job site can become contaminated and put people at risk from exposure to asbestos, a known carcinogen.”
Additional details can be found in the Consent Agreement and Final Order