Mass. DEP Fines Rock Crusher

The Worcester Sand and Gravel Company, Inc., which operates in Shrewsbury, Mass., has been assessed $35,000 in penalties from two consent orders with MassDEP to address a number of air pollution control, hazardous waste management and waste site cleanup violations at the facility. 

Air pollution issues at the site involved dust generated by the company’s activities. During inspections of the facility prompted by complaints, and while working with the Shrewsbury Board of Health, MassDEP found the facility to be causing a condition of air pollution (dust) from its raw material handling, processing and yard operations. In addition, the company had violated five requirements associated with the proper management of waste oil containers. 

In a recently finalized consent order, the company agreed to use a mobile sweeper to manage dust generated from truck traffic, utilize water sprays to manage dust from its rock crushing operations, and apply for an Air Quality plan approval for their entire operation. The company will also comply with applicable hazardous waste regulations, and will stop the un-permitted discharge of wastewater to the ground that is generated from the power washing of their vehicles.  The penalty for these violations totaled $12,500.

Also, the soil and groundwater at the facility has been contaminated with oil and chlorinated solvents since 1996. The company did not perform the necessary cleanup by the required deadline in 2002. As a result, in 2003 the company paid a penalty of $15,000 and agreed to complete the cleanup within new deadlines, which the company also missed. As a result of the repeated noncompliance, the company has agreed in a second consent order to pay an additional penalty of $22,500, complete the cleanup of the known soil and groundwater contamination at the site, and also investigate additional areas that may be contaminated. To ensure that the required work is completed, the company has agreed to place $250,000 in escrow to be used for the cleanup.

“The Worcester Sand & Gravel Company has a number of environmental issues that need to be addressed. These consent orders put the company on a path to do that, and should result in less disturbance to neighboring properties,” said Martin Suuberg, director of MassDEP’s Central Regional office in Worcester. “In addressing these problems, MassDEP worked closely with Nancy Allen of the Town Board of Health to document and address violations.”