The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has been ordered to take a series of actions to hold the Niagara Falls Water Board accountable and protect water quality. DEC is assessing a $50,000 penalty and issuing a consent order that would prohibit the board from making any black water discharges, restrict the board from making any discharges from the sediment basins at the plant without DEC approval, and other provisions to prevent further violations of New York water quality standards.
This comes a result of the investigation ordered by Governor Andrew Cuomo following the July 29 incident, which found that the Niagara Falls Water Board has not properly maintained equipment nor adequately trained workers, and generally failed to follow appropriate protocols. DEC's consent order with the water board will address these deficiencies to prevent further water quality violations.
"Polluting one of world's greatest wonders is completely intolerable and unacceptable, and this action today will hold the Niagara Falls Water Board accountable, require them to clean up their practices and protect the economically important Niagara River," Governor Cuomo said. "I am directing DEC to continue to closely monitor operations of the plant to guarantee immediate steps are taken to prevent future violations."
Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
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