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Vermont Ski Area Ordered to Restore Wetlands

Release Date: 10/12/2010
Contact Information: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017

(Boston, Mass. – Oct. 12, 2010) – A ski resort in Vermont has been ordered to restore wetlands and streams that were harmed when the resort discharged dredged and fill material into the waters during construction of its golf course in violation of the federal Clean Water Act.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last month ordered Jay Peak Resort, Inc. in Jay, Vt. to repair the damage done between 2004 and 2006 when it was building its golf course and discharged material without a required permit. 

According to EPA,the construction company working for Jay Peak Resort placed dirt, sand and rocks into numerous wetlands and streams, affecting a total of 2.15 acres.

This case was brought to the attention of EPA by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the spring of 2008. Since then, the Corps and EPA have worked together in pursuing this case.

The affected streams on the site flow into Jay Branch Brook, which flows into the Missisiquoi River, and then into Lake Champlain.

The resort was ordered to restore the wetlands and streams in order to restore wildlife habitat, sediment trapping, and nutrient removal and transport functions. Wetlands provide valuable habitat for many species of wildlife. They also help to protect the health and safety of people and their communities. They filter and clean water by trapping sediments and removing pollutants, and they provide buffers against floods by storing flood water. Wetlands also store and slowly release water over time, helping to maintain water flow in streams, especially during dry periods.

Jay Peak has agreed to the terms of EPA’s order and recently completed all restoration work prior to the order’s October 2010 deadline. 

More information:

- Enforcing wetlands requirements in New England (www.epa.gov/ne/enforcement/wetlands)

- General information on Wetlands (http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/index.cfm)

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