February 19, 2019
Montpelier, Vt. – The Agency of Natural Resources announced today that Walter Renfrew, owner and operator of Cherokee Connection in Orange, was fined $7,500 for operating a salvage yard without first obtaining a permit.
“Salvage yards provide important waste management services to Vermonters by reusing and recycling materials from junk automobiles, including hazardous waste like battery acid, gasoline and other vehicle fluids,” said Emily, Boedecker, Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation. “If released to the environment, hazardous materials like these can negatively impact public health by contaminating drinking water or damage the environment by saturating soils and groundwater.”
Due to the inherent risk in managing hazardous waste, salvage yard businesses must follow state hazardous waste management regulations. Additionally, Vermont salvage yards must hold a municipal Certificate of Approved Location (COAL), which considers appropriate siting of the business, including its proximity to schools, residences, and drinking water sources. Once a salvage yard operator secures a COAL, a state-level salvage yard permit is required annually.
In August 2017, Agency staff inspected the Cherokee Connection property and found an active salvage yard at the site. However, the owner did not have a COAL or an Agency permit for the salvage yard. He subsequently obtained a COAL and an Agency permit, but both authorizations expired in September 2018 and he has not applied for new permits since that time.
Earlier this month, the Agency filed an Administrative Order with the Superior Court, Environmental Division against the owner. The owner did not request a formal hearing before the court and the court incorporated the Administrative Order into a Final Judicial Order on February 12, 2019. The Order requires the owner to pay a penalty of $7,500.00 and to either obtain a salvage yard permit or properly dispose of the junk motor vehicles at a certified salvage yard.
For more information about DEC’s Salvage Yard Program and permits, including a list of permitted salvage yards, visit https://dec.vermont.gov/waste-management/salvage-yards.
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