For Release: Wednesday, October 22, 2008
DEC Charges Former Manager and Titus Mountain Ski Area
The former manager of the Titus Mountain Ski Area and the Ski Area were each charged with one felony and three misdemeanor violations of Environmental Conservation Law by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) Division of Law Enforcement on October 20, 2008.
The charges are related to the alleged purposeful discharge of sewage from the Ski Area into a tributary of the Salmon River and are the result of an extensive investigation by the Division's Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigation.
Zachary L. White, 44, of Malone, NY was arraigned in the Town of Malone local criminal court before Town Justice Michael Lamitie and pleaded not guilty to all charges. He was released under his own recognizance and is scheduled to appear before the court on December 17, 2008.
Titus Mountain, Inc. was issued a summons to appear in the Town of Malone Court on October 30, 2008.
"The protection of the natural resources of the state is important to the well being of our citizens and their associated quality of life," said DEC Region 5 Director Betsy Lowe. "This investigation and enforcement action demonstrates the DEC's commitment to seek out and stop pollution through its authority under Environmental Conservation Law."
The investigation began in April 2008, based on information obtained during the New York State Police investigation of theft of electrical services at the Titus Mountain Ski Area.
A search of the ski area by DEC investigators and program staff resulted in the discovery that waste water from the ski lodge and other facilities was being piped directly into a culvert that lead to a stream that flows into the Salmon River.
White and Titus Mountain Inc. are each being charged with a felony for constructing and operating a disposal system that discharged sewage into the waters of the state without a permit; two misdemeanor counts for discharging sewage into the waters of the state; and one misdemeanor count for failing to register a petroleum bulk storage facility.
Also during the investigation, DEC discovered over100 cubic yards of solid waste buried on the property. Charges related to the illegal solid waste disposal and other environmental charges are pending.
