DEP FINES
SCRAPYARD FOR EXPOSING
STORMWATER TO POLLUTANTS
(05/10) TRENTON -- Emphasizing the importance of protecting
New Jersey's water resources, Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell today announced that Coach
Auto Parts in Monroe Township, Gloucester County was fined $65,000
for improperly storing automotive parts that can pollute soil,
groundwater and surface water.
"After numerous attempts to compel the scrapyard to comply
with DEP orders, the Department was left with no recourse other
than the imposition of this $65,000 penalty," said Commissioner
Campbell. "DEP will vigilantly protect New Jersey's water
resources and prosecute those who expose our water to hazardous
substances found in auto parts."
During a May 23, 2003 inspection, DEP staff found that Coach
Auto Parts improperly stored automotive materials including engine
blocks, transmissions, batteries and gasoline tanks outdoors without
taking required steps to prevent these items from leaking into
the ground. Coach Auto Parts also failed to submit to DEP annual
self-inspection compliance certification.
DEP required Coach Auto Parts to properly store its automotive
materials within sixty days and issued a compliance evaluation
to encourage the facility to comply with the terms of its Stormwater
Discharge permit. However, subsequent inspections in September
2003 and January and February 2004 revealed that the facility
continued to improperly store automotive fluids and drained automotive
fluid directly from vehicles onto the ground. This places stormwater
at risk by allowing pollutants found in automotive fluid to contaminate
the soil and water beneath the vehicles.
In response to the facility's continued noncompliance, DEP fined
Coach Auto Parts $65,000. Coach Auto Parts has been evicted from
the property and is no longer operating.
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