Legoland Construction Runoff Cited For Lack of Sediment Control

Merlin, the parent company of Legoland, received its third construction site runoff violation from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for failure to control runoff at a Legoland currently under construction in Goshen, N.Y., July 25. Sediment from construction site runoff caused by recent rains turned Otter Kill creek “the color of chocolate milk,” according to local news source the Times Herald-Record.

The most recent DEC violation letter to Legoland cited an incomplete list of practices to fix runoff issues and a failure to provide basic erosion and sediment controls. Furthermore, the notice specifies that the site does not provide clear color coding or adequately explained its phasing and target soil stabilization dates. The site does not include subcatchments or mini drainage basins, and does not provide substantial sediment controls. If left unchecked, Merlin faces fines of up to $37,500 per day.

“[Legoland’s representatives] have proposed additional remediation measures, and we’re reviewing them, but if we don’t believe those are sufficient, then we will demand they install even more enhanced measures,” said Rick Golden, the town of Goshen’s attorney.

Legoland New York’s Director of Development Phil Royle stated that Legoland is working to get in compliance with construction site runoff requirements.

“We have been working continuously to increase our storm water protection measures,” Royle said. “And we will continue to work with our construction team, our engineers, and the town of Goshen to address the runoff from our site.”