Boston-Based Business Ordered to Restore Riverfront Area

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has assessed a $29,800 penalty to Specialty Minerals Inc. (SMI) of Adams, and ordered SMI to restore 65,400 sq ft of riverfront that was disturbed on the company's property.

While reviewing multiple years of ortho-photo maps of the area in connection with another permit, MassDEP staff discovered a newly constructed haul road in the area of SMI's property. Further investigation, including a site inspection in March 2011, revealed that the road had been constructed without a permit.

The cutting of vegetation, grading and construction of the new quarry haul road, including a storm water management system, impacted 65,400 sq ft of riverfront, which is a resource area protected under the Wetlands Protection Act.

SMI expressed its desire to work with MassDEP to address the violation and agreed to submit a plan to restore impacted riverfront and to prevent future unauthorized impacts with full restoration required by May 1, 2013. SMI must pay $22,000 of the assessed penalty, with the remaining $7,800 suspended contingent upon full compliance with the consent order.

Source: Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection