For Release: Monday, September 22, 2008
DEC Forest Rangers Nab Illegal Dumpers at Edgewood Preserve
Company Is Fined $15,000 and Forced to Clean Up 37 Piles of Solid Waste
Continuing to ratchet up efforts to combat illegal dumping, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has concluded a successful enforcement action against a Nassau County company whose employees were caught dumping construction debris at DEC's Edgewood/Oak Brush Plains Preserve, Regional Director Peter A. Scully announced today. The company, AVF Development Corporation, has been fined $15,000 and will take responsibility for cleaning up more than 1,200 cubic yards of illegally dumped debris.
"The success of this investigation and enforcement action is proof positive that DEC's Forest Rangers take their responsibility to protect state lands very seriously," said Regional Director Scully. "Let this case serve as a warning to others who might violate environmental laws by dumping on state lands that DEC Forest Rangers are watching, and that they will hold you accountable."
The Edgewood/Oak Brush Plains State Preserve is an 813 acre expanse located in the towns of Babylon, Huntington and bordering the Town of Islip, and is the largest remnant of pitch pine-scrub oak barrens on Long Island and the second largest remnant in New York State. The Preserve is situated in a Special Groundwater Protection Area in recognition of its environmental sensitivity, Scully noted.
Over the past several years, DEC has worked closely with the Friends of Edgewood Preserve, a not-for-profit citizens group, and the towns of Babylon, Islip and Huntington, to improve conditions at the preserve, and to enhance public access. Those efforts have included more aggressive efforts to enforce against unlawful activities, including unauthorized uses like ATV riding, and illegal dumping.
According to Regional Director Scully, in December of 2007, DEC Forest Rangers on a night time surveillance detail confronted employees of AVF Development Corporation disposing of construction and demolition debris at the Preserve. Through investigation, DEC determined that AVF had been contracted to remove and dispose of construction debris from a demolition site in Garden City, New York. Forest Rangers documented a total of 37 other similar debris piles, totaling approximately 1,220 cubic yards.
Following the successful investigation, AVF agreed to a monetary penalty of $15,000, and to remove and properly dispose of the 37 piles of debris, commencing work on Sept. 16, 2008 and concluding the work by Nov. 15, 2008. Under the terms of an Order On Consent, AVF will pay $3,000 of the penalty up front, and will be responsible for the remainder only if it fails to complete the cleanup as required.
"In this case, DEC's Forest Rangers showed that focused effort by dedicated professionals can make the difference in holding illegal dumpers accountable for their actions," said Regional Director Scully. "With the help of the Friends of Edgewood Preserve and our colleagues in Town and County government, DEC will continue to investigate and make examples of those who willfully harm our environment."
