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EPA Proposes $5,000 Fine to Town of Winchendon for Failure to Provide Information

Release Date: 04/07/2000
Contact Information: Amy Miller, EPA Press Office (617-918-1042)

BOSTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a $5,000 fine against the town of Winchendon for failing to provide information concerning unauthorized raw sewage discharges during wet weather into the Millers River by the town's wastewater collection system.

According to this week's administrative complaint, EPA New England requested specific information on Jan. 5. The town has not yet responded to repeated requests for this information, which was requested under the Clean Water Act and was due by Feb. 22.

"Timely and full reporting is central to the Clean Water Act, which protects the nation's waters," said Ira Leighton, director of the Office of Environmental Stewardship at EPA New England. "It's regrettable that we have to file an administrative complaint in order to collect information required by law. The town is responsible for providing information on these discharges so that steps can be taken to insure that no more discharges occur."