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EPA Cites Salvage Management, Inc. for Stormwater Violations at York, Pa. Salvage Yard

Release Date: 4/8/2004
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith, 215-814-5543

Bonnie Smith, 215-814-5543

PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has cited Salvage Management, Inc. (SMI) for Clean Water Act violations at the company=s automobile salvage yard at 1900 Manor Road, York, Pa. EPA seeks a $11,000 penalty for violations of regulations designed to reduce water pollution from contaminated storm water runoff.

In a May 21, 2003 inspection, EPA discovered that the SMI salvage yard did not have a Clean Water Act permit for its discharge of storm water into a tributary of Cabin Creek. According to EPA=s complaint, SMI did not comply with a July 2, 2003 EPA order directing the company to apply for a permit within 30 days, and failed to apply for a permit afterwards despite EPA=s followup communications in August, November, and December 2003.

Uncontrolled storm water runoff from industrial and construction sites often contains oil and grease, chemicals, nutrients, oxygen-demanding compounds, and other pollutants. The Clean Water Act requires owners of certain industrial and construction operations to obtain a permit before discharging storm water runoff into waterways. These permits include pollution-reducing “best management practices” such as spill- prevention safeguards, material storage and coverage requirements, runoff-reduction measures, and employee training.

The company has the right to a hearing to contest the alleged violation and proposed penalty. For more information about EPA=s storm water permit requirements and best management practices see EPA’s website https://www.epa.gov/reg3wapd/stormwater.