WILLIAMSPORT – The Department of Environmental Protection has fined American Rock Salt Co. LLC of Mt. Morris, N.Y., $4,500 for violating its stormwater discharge permit last October at the company’s salt pile distribution facility in Sandy Township, Clearfield County.
“American Rock Salt’s stormwater permit requires that its large salt piles be covered at all times with a few exceptions to prevent salty stormwater from running off into Pennsylvania’s waters,” said DEP North-central Regional Director Robert Yowell. “Our investigation in October revealed that the company was negligent because significant portions of the salt pile were uncovered.”
DEP’s investigation also documented numerous dead aquatic organisms in the immediate area of the company’s stormwater discharge point. DEP sample results showed chloride in the discharge at 106,615 parts per million and sodium at 63,860 parts per million.
Besides the stormwater permit violations, the discharges also violated the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law.
The fine was paid to the Clean Water Fund, which helps to pay for cleanups across the state.
For more information, call 570-327-3659 or visit www.depweb.state.pa.us.
