Loading prices...

Register/Sign in
ScrapMonster
Sell Your Junk CarGet an instant quote for your car on ScrapMonster.com
Waste & Recycling December 05, 2016 11:00:40 AM

Recycler agrees to pay $87,500 in fines for environmental law crimes

Paul Ploumis
ScrapMonster Author
Salina-based Coast Transportation and Recycling, LLC. has agreed to pay $87,500 in fines for violating the rules of Environmental Conservation Law.

Recycler agrees to pay $87,500 in fines for environmental law crimes

ALBANY (Scrap Monster): Salina-based Coast Transportation and Recycling, LLC. has agreed to pay $87,500 in fines for violating the rules of Environmental Conservation Law. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) had announced conviction of the company and its owner Michael Jones for charges related to discharge of liquid containing hazardous chemicals and oil into Ley Creek.

The new release issued by the New York state Attorney General’s office stated that Michael Jones and his company were pleaded guilty in Onondaga County Court to four violations of environmental law-one felony and two misdemeanors. The felony charge refers to the offence of discharging pollutants without obtaining a New York State Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit. The two Class A misdemeanors are for illegal discharge of liquid containing hazardous substance and for storing petroleum-contaminated soil (PCS) at the scrap yard premises for long period of time.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman noted that it is critical to guard the state’s natural resources in order to protect the health of New Yorkers and local economies. The conviction of the Salina scrap yard demonstrates that violators of environmental laws will be penalized for their action, without fail.

According to the AG’s office communication, the action follows an investigation conducted in 2010 by the New York state Department of Environmental Conservation. As part of clean up operations prescribed by the state, the company had dug up more than 500 tons of soil so as to remove two underground storage tanks containing oil. The tanks had leaked and had contaminated the surrounding soil. The excavated soil from areas surrounding the storage tanks were stored at the scrap yard instead of dumping into landfills. The contaminated soil remained at the company facility until October 2014. Also, the company had not applied for necessary permit to store the contaminated soil for such a long period. As per rule, the company needs to obtain necessary DEC permit for storage of contaminated soil at its premises for a period in excess of 60 days.

The statement made by the prosecutor indicates that, DEC investigations had proved that liquid runoff from the contaminated soil pile had flowed across to a nearby stormwater drain that ultimately ended in a tributary of Ley Creek. Further, investigation had confirmed that the runoff had contained a number of hazardous chemicals including benzane, ethyl-benzene, toluene and xylene.

Under Jone’s direction, an employee belonging to the company had tried to discharge stormwater accumulated in its parking lot. However, the stormwater ultimately discharged into another waterway. Tests revealed that the stormwater had contained motor oil. Investigations found that the company had no proper Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan in place. Also, it had not obtained the necessary SPDES permit as prescribed by the environmental conservation law.

The company will be sentenced to an unconditional discharge on Jan 24th. Also, the company owner will be sentenced to three years’ probation and ordered to pay a fine amounting to $87,500.

The Coast Transportation and Recycling, LLC. scrap yard is located at 15 Dippold Ave. in Salina.

×

Quick Search

Advanced Search