Illinois EPA Director seals Wauconda property due to extensive and chronic open dumping

Springfield, Ill.—Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott issued an order to seal the property owned by John Tarkowski, located at 27275 W.  Lakeview Drive South, Lakeland Estates Subdivision, Wauconda, in Lake County, from public access due to health and safety concerns resulting from unpermitted waste materials found on the site.

 

The Seal Order restricts public access to the site, and prohibits entry by anyone except authorized personnel in the performance of official duties.  Those entering the site must also comply with applicable OSHA regulations.

 

The affected property is over five acres, with a portion of the site consisting of a wetland.  The actual amount of waste cannot be estimated due to the immense size and extent of dumping.  Many areas of the site are inaccessible due to the amount of waste deposited on the land and the potential physical hazards that exist on the site. 

 

The property owner has a long history of illegal dumping and ignoring directives by the state to remove the wastes.  The Illinois Attorney General filed a complaint in 2004 in Lake County Court alleging open dumping and requesting an injunction and civil penalties against Tarkowski.  A default judgment was entered against Tarkowski on April 20, 2006.  It required that Tarkowski begin removal of the waste.  Two compliance dates have passed without any waste being removed.  During the last inspection to check for compliance with the order, IEPA took mosquito larvae samples for testing.  The tests showed two types of mosquitoes present that are carriers of West Nile Virus. 

 

Materials dumped on the site include junk vehicles, boats, construction equipment, windows, white goods, auto parts, plastic, office waste, commercial wastes, lead acid batteries, metals, landscape waste, asphalt shingles and demolition debris, pipes, conduit, used tires on and off their rims, and other miscellaneous materials. 

 

The Seal Order will remain in effect until rescinded by Director Scott. 

-30-