DEC fines landfill operator in Rensselaer
RENSSELAER, N.Y. » The operator of a controversial landfill off Partition Street Extension in the city was recently fined $100,000 by the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos announced this week the state has executed anOrder on Consent with SA Dunn & Company, LLC, operator of the Dunn Facility, for ongoing violations of its state mining permit. The order includes a $100,000 penalty for ongoing violations of the facility’s mining permit.
Earlier this year, the Rensselaer County Legislature passed a resolution urging DEC to step up their monitoring of the Dunn Landfill operation.
“New York’s stringent rules and regulations governing mining operations exist to ensure facilities operating in our state adhere to the safest practices and highest standards possible to protect public health and the environment,” said Seggos in a news release. “DEC’s aggressive investigation of Dunn exposed operational deficiencies that were adversely impacting the quality of life in the surrounding community. We are taking all necessary measures to ensure this neighborhood is protected to hold this facility accountable.”
Officials with DEC said
beginning in January, DEC observed persistent dust clouds emanating from the facility where SA Dunn & Company operates a permitted sand mine and landfill. DEC said they immediately began investigating the facility to determine the nature and extent of the dust, including on-site inspections.
DEC said their investigation determined that the facility is in violation of special conditions in its permit related to mining activities and that they are now requiring the immediate implementation of several corrective measures.
Officials said trucks associated with hauling the sand
were identified as the source of dust leaving the facility. DEC said trucks hauling sand to the adjacent parcel had been using unauthorized access points along the eastern boundary of the mine along Partition Street Extension. The trucks depositing sand on the adjacent parcel left the facility boundary and therefore exceeded the truck limit in the permit.
In addition, DEC said they discovered that stormwater at one of the unauthorized access points was discharging from the facility’s permitted boundary.
“Fromthe start, the opening of this facility moved through the permitting pro-
cess without consideration of the full impacts to the environment and the neighborhoods,” said Chairman of the Legislature Mike Stammel, R-Rensselaer. “Heavy truck traffic through residential neighborhoods, blowing trash, dust, water runoff, and noise has had negative impacts on the quality of life in this part of Rensselaer.”
Pursuant to terms of the Order on Consent, DEC said they are requiring Dunn to develop and implement a dust control plan to ensure best management practices are being applied at the facility. DEC is also requiring Dunn to undertake several improvements to achieve significant dust reductions as expeditiously as possible.
DEC said they will continue to closely monitor operations and air quality conditions at the facility and in surrounding communities and will strictly oversee the implementation of the corrective actions and modifications identified in the dust control plan. The Order includes an $100,000 penalty, with $50,000 suspended penalty if Dunn complies with the Order, as well as a $225,000 Environmental Benefit Project primarily for the benefit of the Rensselaer City School District and the local community.
Officials said failure to comply with the terms of the Consent Order may result in additional fines and revocation of this facility’s permits.
“S. A. Dunn & Company works diligently every day to provide a safe and environmentally friendly disposal and mining operation. Upon discovery, we took immediate steps to correct any and all deficiencies,” said Jeff Burrier in an emailed statement, Division Landfill Manager, S.A. Dunn & Company, LLC. “These steps were taken in advance of the DEC Consent Order. We accept the DEC judgement and remain committed to working with the communities in which we operate, support, and where our employees live. We take pride in our partnerships with the surrounding communities.”