$350,000 Settlement Covers Violations at Tilcon Quarries, Asphalt Plant in the Hudson Valley Agreement Includes $100,000 to Fund Clearwater Science and Environmental Programs

VERPLANCK, NY – Tilcon New York Inc. will pay a $250,000 penalty and fund another $100,000 in environmental education projects under an agreement to settle numerous violations at the company’s asphalt plant and quarries in the Hudson Valley, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today here at a special press conference attended by government officials and environmental leaders.

The settlement covers water, air and mining violations at Tilcon operations in West Nyack, Haverstraw and Poughkeepsie. Inspections in 2008 found a variety of problems, including discharging cloudy, insufficiently treated water into the Hackensack River, spilling aggregate materials into the Hudson River, failing to maintain a slurry line that failed several times and released sediment into the Hudson and operating beyond the physical boundaries of its mining permit. The agreement allows for $100,000 of the penalty to be suspended if Tilcon meets new requirements to operate its facilities in compliance with state environmental law.

“Because these facilities operate in such proximity to New York’s waterways, it is critical they adhere to stringent requirements meant to protect the public and the environment,” Grannis said. “Our investigation found a number of problems at Tilcon’s facilities in the Hudson Valley. But with this settlement, we have put in place conditions and incentives that should improve the company’s operations, while providing a valuable benefit to environmental education programs.”

Commissioner Grannis noted that the successful enforcement action involved many parts of the agency, including Environmental Conservation Officers and staff specializing in natural resources and environmental quality programs. B. P. “Brian” Gills, the environmental conservation officer who first detected Tilcon’s violations, attended the press conference and was publicly thanked for his vigilant work.

“This settlement includes an investment by Tilcon in environmental compliance and represents our commitment to enforcing the Clean Water Act, which will benefit us all well into the future,” said Regional Director Willie Janeway. “In addition, it is an investment in our communities because it supports the education of the next generation of environmental leaders.”

The agreement includes a $100,000 Environmental Benefit Project (EBP) to be administered by the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. The money will help fund the “Clearwater Center for Environmental Justice and Leadership,” which will serve youth in the Hudson Valley by offering a variety of science, environmental and outdoor education programs.

The purpose of the center will be to educate our youth and generate interest in the environment at a young age. The EBP will contribute to establishing Clearwater’s center on the 84-acre campus in Beacon, Dutchess County. The EBP will also fund more than 100 spots for youth between the ages of 5-18 from within the Hudson River Valley’s Environmental Justice communities. The center will offer environmental education and training programs, focusing on creative problem-solving, and will offer green job and leadership training.

“The DEC settlement with Tilcon wisely turns environmental pollution into an environmental solution,” said Jeff Rumpf, executive director of Clearwater. “These funds will go toward the completion of the Clearwater Center for Environmental Justice and Leadership in Beacon, where our education programs will be expanded to better connect the next generation of environmental leaders with career opportunities in the emerging green economy.”

Tilcon New York Inc. has its headquarters in West Nyack and a number of facilities throughout the Hudson Valley including quarries in West Nyack, Haverstraw and Poughkeepsie, and an asphalt plant in Poughkeepsie. Regional Director Janeway acknowledged Tilcon for cooperating throughout the negotiations and for moving quickly to address the non-compliance issues.

Photo: Jeff Rumpf, executive director of Clearwater, with John Parker, Regional Attorney, Office of General Counsel, NYSDEC Region 3 Credit: Tom Staudter / Clearwater

Contact:
Yancey Roy / NYS DEC / 518-402-8000

Tom Staudter / Hudson River Sloop Clearwater / 914-419-5221 mobile