| NEW: Major Environmental Violations on Providence Waterfront
The Department of Environmental Management has issued Notices of Violation (NOV) to three businesses for alleged environmental violations arising from the recycling of metal and ship repair/ maintenance and scrap metal recycling along the Providence waterfront on Allens Avenue. In January 2012, RIRM notified DEM that four derelict vessels - a sunken barge, tugboat, ferry, and submarine - are undergoing vessel dismantling activity. Within 60 days, they must remove all scrap metal, engines, and vehicles. RIRM also has not put in place the storm water controls as required under the permit. According to DEM inspectors, vehicle crushing, vehicle engine removal, vehicle engine storage activities, and repair and maintenance of equipment were being conducted at the facility as early as November 2011. DEM then advised SMM that it needed to file a request to transfer the stormwater permit that DEM issued to Promet to SMM. A second NOV was issued to SMM New England Corporation (SMM), which operates a business engaged in ship repair/maintenance and scrap metal recycling at 242 Allens Avenue, for alleged violations of Rhode Island's Water Pollution Act, state water quality regulations, and RIPDES regulations. According to the NOV, SMM did not file a request to transfer the stormwater permit issued to Promet until January 2012, and expanded its activities to scrap metal recycling without reapplying to DEM for authorization to do so. Within 60 days of receipt of the NOV, SMM must remove all scrap metal from the property and complete repairs/maintenance to all ships on the property; within 7 days of completing these actions, SMM must clean the property of any waste debris associated with ship repair/maintenance and properly dispose of the waste. However, the permit does not authorize some of the auto salvage activity that is ongoing at the Allens Avenue site because RIRM failed to disclose this activity on the permit application. Last December, DEM inspectors observed a discharge of storm water associated with scrap metal recycling and ship repair/maintenance to the Providence River. SMM acquired the 242 Allens Avenue property from Promet Marine Services Corporation and began operating the facility on October 7, 2011. To date, RIRM has not obtained a water quality certificate from DEM for the vessel dismantling activity. According to the NOV, the permit application made no mention of activity involving vehicle crushing or engine removal and storage. They are also required to immediately install and maintain oil/petroleum containment boom surrounding all in-water operations, and collect and properly dispose of all produce captured by the boom. Finally, the Respondents are ordered to immediately install as necessary, repair, and continuously maintain all erosion and sedimentation controls as required. To date, SMM has not obtained approval from DEM to discharge stormwater associated with industrial activity. Under the terms of the NOV, SMM is ordered to immediately cease receiving any scrap metal until such time that the firm obtains a storm water permit from DEM and constructs the required storm water controls. Further, RIRM has not obtained approval from DEM to complete repair and maintenance of equipment, vehicle crushing, or vehicle engine removal and storage on the property. Under the terms of the NOV, the Respondents are ordered to immediately cease receiving any additional derelict vessels for dismantling until all required permits from DEM are obtained; immediately cease receiving any scrap metal and vehicles until certain conditions are met; and immediately cease releasing oil/petroleum onto the surface of the ground and report any future oil/petroleum releases to DEM. NEW: Major Environmental Violations on Providence Waterfront |
Saturday, 12 May 2012
NEW: Major Environmental Violations on Providence Waterfront
