Press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 22,
2012
Clean Water Act Settlement Ensures That Boston
Racetrack Addresses Wastewater and Stormwater Discharges
WASHINGTON – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
and the U.S. Department of Justice announced that Sterling Suffolk Racecourse
LLC will pay a civil penalty of $1.25 million to resolve violations of the Clean
Water Act (CWA) at its Suffolk Downs racetrack facility in Revere and East
Boston, Mass. The company is also spending more than $3 million to prevent
polluted water from entering nearby waterways and will perform three
environmental projects worth approximately $742,000 that will provide water
quality monitoring and protection efforts for more than 123 square miles of
watershed. The terms of the settlement are contained in a consent decree lodged
in federal court in Boston today.
The federal complaint alleges that
Suffolk allowed polluted wastewater, including horse manure, urine and bedding
material, to discharge into Sales Creek, a tributary of Belle Isle Inlet and
Boston Harbor. In addition, the federal complaint alleges that Suffolk operated
its concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO), which stables race horses from
March through November, without a permit under the CWA.
“This settlement
reduces a major source of pollution into Boston Harbor,” said Cynthia Giles,
assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance
Assurance. “In addition, the settlement’s environmental projects include
monitoring water quality in the harbor’s watershed, helping to protect a
valuable urban waterway for the use and enjoyment of Boston area residents and
visitors.”
“Today’s agreement will prevent further discharges of
wastewater from Suffolk Downs into local waterways and will bring the racetrack
into compliance with the Clean Water Act, which protects America’s streams,
wetlands and rivers from the impacts of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations,”
said Ignacia S. Moreno, assistant attorney general of the Environment and
Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice. “The settlement also
brings lasting benefits to residents and the environment by requiring water
quality monitoring in the Mystic and Saugus river watersheds and a salt marsh
habitat protection project near the racetrack.”
In response to EPA’s
enforcement at this facility, Suffolk is completing construction of a wastewater
collection system, is making improvements to its stormwater collection system
and has applied for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
permit. Suffolk will minimize the volume of and properly manage the wastewater
it produces, which will now be collected in a detention pond and discharged
during non-peak hours to the sanitary sewer system. Suffolk will also implement
green infrastructure and low impact development techniques to address stormwater
discharges from the racetrack and maintenance areas of the facility. These
techniques involve the use of natural or engineered systems to direct stormwater
to areas where it can be stored, infiltrated, evapotranspirated, or reused.
EPA inspections revealed that Suffolk Down’s process wastewater
discharged from the facility to Sales Creek during dry and wet weather. EPA
inspectors observed stormwater contaminated with manure and turbid, brown runoff
being discharged from the facility to Sales Creek. Sampling conducted at various
outfalls discharging from the Suffolk Downs facility indicated elevated levels
of pollutants, including ammonia, suspended solids and bacteria. Animal wastes
contain excessive levels of nutrients and pathogens, which produce adverse
environmental impacts including reduction of oxygen in the water, which affects
aquatic life.
Suffolk will undertake three supplemental environmental
projects under this settlement, including two water quality monitoring projects
and one habitat protection project. Suffolk will work with the Mystic River
Watershed Association (MyRWA) to conduct monthly baseline and targeted water
quality sampling throughout the Mystic River watershed and will work with the
Saugus River Watershed Council (SRWC) to conduct a Saugus River watershed
sampling program. Both the Mystic River watershed and Saugus River watershed
data will be available to the public for free on the MyRWA and SRWC websites.
Suffolk will also construct a habitat protection boardwalk in the Belle Isle
Marsh, which is immediately downstream of the Suffolk Downs facility and
represents one of the largest remaining areas of salt marsh in Boston Harbor.
The Belle Isle Marsh encompasses 275 acres of salt marsh, salt meadow, and tidal
flats, and is part of the Rumney Marsh Area of Critical Environmental Concern
(ACEC).
Preventing animal waste from contaminating surface and ground
waters of the United States is one of EPA’s National Enforcement Initiatives for
2011-2013.The initiative focuses on large and medium sized CAFOs that are
discharging pollution without or in violation of a permit.
The consent
decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and approval by the federal
court.
More information: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/cases/civil/cwa/sterlingsuffolk.html
R141
Showing posts with label animal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label animal. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Clean Water Act Settlement Ensures That Boston Racetrack Addresses Wastewater and Stormwater Discharges
Press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 22, 2012
Clean Water Act Settlement Ensures That Boston Racetrack Addresses Wastewater and Stormwater Discharges
WASHINGTON – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice announced that Sterling Suffolk Racecourse LLC will pay a civil penalty of $1.25 million to resolve violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA) at its Suffolk Downs racetrack facility in Revere and East Boston, Mass. The company is also spending more than $3 million to prevent polluted water from entering nearby waterways and will perform three environmental projects worth approximately $742,000 that will provide water quality monitoring and protection efforts for more than 123 square miles of watershed. The terms of the settlement are contained in a consent decree lodged in federal court in Boston today.
The federal complaint alleges that Suffolk allowed polluted wastewater, including horse manure, urine and bedding material, to discharge into Sales Creek, a tributary of Belle Isle Inlet and Boston Harbor. In addition, the federal complaint alleges that Suffolk operated its concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO), which stables race horses from March through November, without a permit under the CWA.
“This settlement reduces a major source of pollution into Boston Harbor,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “In addition, the settlement’s environmental projects include monitoring water quality in the harbor’s watershed, helping to protect a valuable urban waterway for the use and enjoyment of Boston area residents and visitors.”
“Today’s agreement will prevent further discharges of wastewater from Suffolk Downs into local waterways and will bring the racetrack into compliance with the Clean Water Act, which protects America’s streams, wetlands and rivers from the impacts of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations,” said Ignacia S. Moreno, assistant attorney general of the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice. “The settlement also brings lasting benefits to residents and the environment by requiring water quality monitoring in the Mystic and Saugus river watersheds and a salt marsh habitat protection project near the racetrack.”
In response to EPA’s enforcement at this facility, Suffolk is completing construction of a wastewater collection system, is making improvements to its stormwater collection system and has applied for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Suffolk will minimize the volume of and properly manage the wastewater it produces, which will now be collected in a detention pond and discharged during non-peak hours to the sanitary sewer system. Suffolk will also implement green infrastructure and low impact development techniques to address stormwater discharges from the racetrack and maintenance areas of the facility. These techniques involve the use of natural or engineered systems to direct stormwater to areas where it can be stored, infiltrated, evapotranspirated, or reused.
EPA inspections revealed that Suffolk Down’s process wastewater discharged from the facility to Sales Creek during dry and wet weather. EPA inspectors observed stormwater contaminated with manure and turbid, brown runoff being discharged from the facility to Sales Creek. Sampling conducted at various outfalls discharging from the Suffolk Downs facility indicated elevated levels of pollutants, including ammonia, suspended solids and bacteria. Animal wastes contain excessive levels of nutrients and pathogens, which produce adverse environmental impacts including reduction of oxygen in the water, which affects aquatic life.
Suffolk will undertake three supplemental environmental projects under this settlement, including two water quality monitoring projects and one habitat protection project. Suffolk will work with the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) to conduct monthly baseline and targeted water quality sampling throughout the Mystic River watershed and will work with the Saugus River Watershed Council (SRWC) to conduct a Saugus River watershed sampling program. Both the Mystic River watershed and Saugus River watershed data will be available to the public for free on the MyRWA and SRWC websites. Suffolk will also construct a habitat protection boardwalk in the Belle Isle Marsh, which is immediately downstream of the Suffolk Downs facility and represents one of the largest remaining areas of salt marsh in Boston Harbor. The Belle Isle Marsh encompasses 275 acres of salt marsh, salt meadow, and tidal flats, and is part of the Rumney Marsh Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC).
Preventing animal waste from contaminating surface and ground waters of the United States is one of EPA’s National Enforcement Initiatives for 2011-2013.The initiative focuses on large and medium sized CAFOs that are discharging pollution without or in violation of a permit.
The consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and approval by the federal court.
More information: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/cases/civil/cwa/sterlingsuffolk.html
R141
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 22, 2012
Clean Water Act Settlement Ensures That Boston Racetrack Addresses Wastewater and Stormwater Discharges
WASHINGTON – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice announced that Sterling Suffolk Racecourse LLC will pay a civil penalty of $1.25 million to resolve violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA) at its Suffolk Downs racetrack facility in Revere and East Boston, Mass. The company is also spending more than $3 million to prevent polluted water from entering nearby waterways and will perform three environmental projects worth approximately $742,000 that will provide water quality monitoring and protection efforts for more than 123 square miles of watershed. The terms of the settlement are contained in a consent decree lodged in federal court in Boston today.
The federal complaint alleges that Suffolk allowed polluted wastewater, including horse manure, urine and bedding material, to discharge into Sales Creek, a tributary of Belle Isle Inlet and Boston Harbor. In addition, the federal complaint alleges that Suffolk operated its concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO), which stables race horses from March through November, without a permit under the CWA.
“This settlement reduces a major source of pollution into Boston Harbor,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “In addition, the settlement’s environmental projects include monitoring water quality in the harbor’s watershed, helping to protect a valuable urban waterway for the use and enjoyment of Boston area residents and visitors.”
“Today’s agreement will prevent further discharges of wastewater from Suffolk Downs into local waterways and will bring the racetrack into compliance with the Clean Water Act, which protects America’s streams, wetlands and rivers from the impacts of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations,” said Ignacia S. Moreno, assistant attorney general of the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice. “The settlement also brings lasting benefits to residents and the environment by requiring water quality monitoring in the Mystic and Saugus river watersheds and a salt marsh habitat protection project near the racetrack.”
In response to EPA’s enforcement at this facility, Suffolk is completing construction of a wastewater collection system, is making improvements to its stormwater collection system and has applied for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Suffolk will minimize the volume of and properly manage the wastewater it produces, which will now be collected in a detention pond and discharged during non-peak hours to the sanitary sewer system. Suffolk will also implement green infrastructure and low impact development techniques to address stormwater discharges from the racetrack and maintenance areas of the facility. These techniques involve the use of natural or engineered systems to direct stormwater to areas where it can be stored, infiltrated, evapotranspirated, or reused.
EPA inspections revealed that Suffolk Down’s process wastewater discharged from the facility to Sales Creek during dry and wet weather. EPA inspectors observed stormwater contaminated with manure and turbid, brown runoff being discharged from the facility to Sales Creek. Sampling conducted at various outfalls discharging from the Suffolk Downs facility indicated elevated levels of pollutants, including ammonia, suspended solids and bacteria. Animal wastes contain excessive levels of nutrients and pathogens, which produce adverse environmental impacts including reduction of oxygen in the water, which affects aquatic life.
Suffolk will undertake three supplemental environmental projects under this settlement, including two water quality monitoring projects and one habitat protection project. Suffolk will work with the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) to conduct monthly baseline and targeted water quality sampling throughout the Mystic River watershed and will work with the Saugus River Watershed Council (SRWC) to conduct a Saugus River watershed sampling program. Both the Mystic River watershed and Saugus River watershed data will be available to the public for free on the MyRWA and SRWC websites. Suffolk will also construct a habitat protection boardwalk in the Belle Isle Marsh, which is immediately downstream of the Suffolk Downs facility and represents one of the largest remaining areas of salt marsh in Boston Harbor. The Belle Isle Marsh encompasses 275 acres of salt marsh, salt meadow, and tidal flats, and is part of the Rumney Marsh Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC).
Preventing animal waste from contaminating surface and ground waters of the United States is one of EPA’s National Enforcement Initiatives for 2011-2013.The initiative focuses on large and medium sized CAFOs that are discharging pollution without or in violation of a permit.
The consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and approval by the federal court.
More information: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/cases/civil/cwa/sterlingsuffolk.html
R141
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Meeting Scheduled for July 2 in Lexington, Neb.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7
901 N. Fifth St., Kansas City, KS 66101
Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nine Tribal Nations
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Meeting Scheduled for July 2 in Lexington, Neb.
Contact Information: Kris Lancaster, (913) 551-7557 or lancaster.kris@epa.gov
Environmental News
NEWS MEDIA ADVISORY
(Kansas City, Kan., June 25, 2012) - EPA Region 7 representatives will host a public informational meeting for livestock producers about the Agency’s inspection program for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) on Monday, July 2, in Lexington, Neb. EPA Region 7’s inspections are part of an increased national emphasis on ending harmful discharges of pollutants from CAFOs into rivers and streams.
“It is important for EPA Region 7 staff to be out in the countryside so we can educate communities about EPA’s job and how inspections support the Agency's duties,” EPA Regional Administrator Karl Brooks said. “That’s why outreach efforts like this one are so important in obtaining the overall goal of protecting human health and water quality.”
Topics at the meeting include selection of CAFOs for inspection, aerial overflights to assess CAFOs, winter feeding areas, manure stockpiling and nutrient management plans. There will be an opportunity for attendees to interact with EPA officials during a question-and-answer session.
WHAT: Meeting about EPA’s inspection program for CAFOs
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday, July 2, 2012
WHERE: Holiday Inn Express, 2605 Plum Creek Parkway, Lexington, Neb., 68850
WHO: EPA Region 7 representatives attending this event will include Josh Svaty, senior adviser to the regional administrator; Stephen Pollard, CAFO compliance and enforcement coordinator; and Trevor Urban, senior CAFO inspector.
# # #
Thursday, March 1, 2012
News Release from EPA Region 7 - CAFOs
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7
901 N. Fifth St., Kansas City, KS 66101
Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nine Tribal Nations
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Meeting Scheduled for March 13 in West Point, Neb.
Contact Information: Kris Lancaster, (913) 551-7557, lancaster.kris@epa.gov
Environmental News
NEWS MEDIA ADVISORY
(Kansas City, Kan., March 1, 2012) - EPA Region 7 representatives will host a public informational meeting for livestock producers about the Agency’s inspection program for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) on Tuesday, March 13, in West Point, Neb. EPA Region 7’s inspections are part of an increased national emphasis on ending harmful discharges of pollutants from CAFOs into rivers and streams.
“It is important for EPA Region 7 staff to be out in the countryside so we can educate communities about EPA’s job and how inspections support the Agency’s duties," EPA Regional Administrator Karl Brooks said. “That’s why outreach efforts like this one are so important in obtaining the overall goal of protecting human health and water quality.”
Topics at the meeting include selection of CAFOs for inspection, aerial overflights to assess CAFOs, winter feeding areas, manure stockpiling and nutrient management plans. There will be an opportunity for attendees to interact with EPA officials during a question-and-answer session led by Larry Howard, of the University of Nebraska Lincoln-Extension.
WHAT: Meeting about EPA’s inspection program for CAFOs
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, 2012
WHERE: Nielsen Community Center, 200 Anna Stalp Avenue, West Point, Neb., 68788
WHO: EPA Region 7 representatives attending this event will include Josh Svaty, senior adviser to the regional administrator; Stephen Pollard, CAFO compliance and enforcement coordinator; and Trevor Urban, senior CAFO inspector.
# # #
Friday, February 10, 2012
EPA Orders Louisiana Poultry Farms to Stop Discharging
News release from EPA Region 6:
EPA Orders Louisiana Poultry Farms to Stop Discharging
(DALLAS – February 10, 2012) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued cease and desist administrative orders to two chicken broiler facilities in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, for discharging chicken litter into a tributary of the Dugdemona River.
The Mike Reeves 1 and Beaver Creek Farm chicken broiler facilities are concentrated animal feeding operations located approximately four miles east of Arcadia on the south side of U.S. Highway 80, Lincoln Parish. The broiler facilities have been ordered to immediately stop all discharges of pollutants into waters of the United States.
“We expect poultry farms to put food on our tables, not waste into our rivers,” said EPA Regional Administrator Al Armendariz. “Owners and operators of animal feeding operations have a responsibility to comply with the law.”
On January 24 and 25, 2012, the EPA inspected the facilities and found unauthorized discharges of pollutants from chicken litter storage piles to an unnamed tributary of the Dugdemona River.
As a result of the inspection, the owners and operators of the Mike Reeves 1 and Beaver Creek Farm chicken broiler facilities have been ordered to immediately take action to stop all discharges of pollutants from their facilities’ chicken litter storage piles. Within 30 days they must submit to EPA and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) a certified summary, including photographs, that document the unauthorized discharges have been stopped.
More about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html
EPA audio file is available at http://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/podcast/feb2012.html
# # #
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
EPA Orders Racetrack to Stop Discharges
News Release from EPA Region 6:
“Companies must operate in a way that protects vital water resources,” said EPA Regional Administrator Al Armendariz. “When a facility fails to meet its responsibilities, the EPA will work closely with our state partner agencies to enforce the law.”
On November 15, 2011, the New Mexico Environmental Department (NMED) conducted an on-site inspection and found that the facility did not have a properly designed storm water runoff containment structure. The facility also does not have a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit which allows facilities to discharge to waters of the U.S.
Pollutants commonly associated with animal waste or manure often include nitrogen and phosphorus, organic matter, bacteria and sediments. These pollutants can clog rivers and streams with algae, kill fish by reducing oxygen in the water, transmit waterborne diseases and impair the enjoyment of waterways.
To comply with the order, the Downs and EXPO New Mexico must immediately take all necessary actions to prevent future discharges of pollutants into U.S. waters and notify the EPA of any discharges of pollutants from the facility into waters of the U.S.
For more information about animal feeding operations, visit http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/afo/cafofinalrule.cfm
More about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html
EPA audio file is available at http://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/podcast/jan2012.html
EPA Orders Albuquerque Racetrack to Stop Discharges to Protect Rio Grande
(DALLAS – January 25, 2012) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued an order to halt discharges of animal waste, industrial run-off and other pollutants into the Rio Grande. The action was taken against the Downs at Albuquerque Inc. and EXPO New Mexico, a 93-acre race track and casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico, that accommodates almost 1,400 horses during racing season.
“Companies must operate in a way that protects vital water resources,” said EPA Regional Administrator Al Armendariz. “When a facility fails to meet its responsibilities, the EPA will work closely with our state partner agencies to enforce the law.”
On November 15, 2011, the New Mexico Environmental Department (NMED) conducted an on-site inspection and found that the facility did not have a properly designed storm water runoff containment structure. The facility also does not have a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit which allows facilities to discharge to waters of the U.S.
Pollutants commonly associated with animal waste or manure often include nitrogen and phosphorus, organic matter, bacteria and sediments. These pollutants can clog rivers and streams with algae, kill fish by reducing oxygen in the water, transmit waterborne diseases and impair the enjoyment of waterways.
To comply with the order, the Downs and EXPO New Mexico must immediately take all necessary actions to prevent future discharges of pollutants into U.S. waters and notify the EPA of any discharges of pollutants from the facility into waters of the U.S.
For more information about animal feeding operations, visit http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/afo/cafofinalrule.cfm
More about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html
EPA audio file is available at http://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/podcast/jan2012.html
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