EPA Settles With Ski Park Developer Over Asbestos Violation

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A Boise ski and snowboard park developer has agreed to pay the federal government $10,000 to settle a claim that it violated asbestos removal regulations.

The Idaho Statesman reports that Gateway Parks LLC was accused of not giving the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proper notice on plans to demolish asbestos-containing buildings.

The EPA requires developers to notify government inspectors before demolition to ensure that all asbestos has been removed. Gateway Parks purchased the abandoned two-acre lot in 2014 and soon demolished several asbestos-contaminated buildings.

The EPA then began investigating and ordered the developer in 2015 to clean up the asbestos-filled debris — which was estimated to cost the company more than $65,000, not including the settlement fine. Gateway Parks owner Ryan Neptune said Tuesday it was cheaper to settle with the EPA than to continue arguing with the federal government.