The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has fined Costello Dismantling Company Inc., West Wareham, Mass., $10,000 for failing to abide by the terms and conditions of an approved MassDEP permit for the former Uniroyal Complex in Chicopee.
The permit allowed Costello to demolish the buildings that contained inaccessible asbestos-containing material provided certain controls and contingencies were set in place to prevent and monitor the release of visible dust emissions.
On both August 24 and August 26, 2015, MassDEP inspectors witnessed excessive amounts of dust emanating from the demolition process of the upper floors of one of the two buildings. Inadequate use of water caused the generation of a significant amount of visible dust emissions. The demolition work was immediately shut down until additional water hoses and water misters were employed to control future dust emissions.
“It is essential that environmental cleanup occur properly to ensure releases do not occur, resulting in threats to the public and further damage to the environment,” says Michael Gorski, director of MassDEP’s Western Regional Office in Springfield. “The cleanup of the Uniroyal complex will provide opportunities for future economic development of this property and the surrounding community.”
In a statement, Costello writes, “Costello Dismantling takes all interactions with DEP extremely seriously and we responded quickly to take corrective actions. We value our ongoing relationship with Mass DEP and strive to be an environmental leader on every project.”