Taylor Davis Landscaping & Construction faces $42K in fines from MassDEP
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Amherst. 04.22.2023 STAFF PHOTO
Published: 01-30-2025 1:24 PM |
AMHERST — The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has fined a South Amherst landscaping and construction company for various hazardous waste and wetlands violations at its facility.
The state agency Wednesday announced a $42,412.50 fine imposed on Taylor Davis Landscaping & Construction, 71 West Pomeroy Lane, for violations that, according to MassDEP, include failure to notify the agency of a diesel fuel release, neglecting to conduct an appropriate response action for the release, engaging in activities that impaired a wetland and improperly managing waste oil.
“There were a multitude of violations at this facility that this enforcement action resolves,” Michael Gorski, director of MassDEP’s Western Regional Office in Springfield, said in a statement. “MassDEP holds accountable those who don’t take reasonable steps to comply with the environmental regulations that protect people and the environment.”
The company, though, cooperated with MassDEP throughout the investigation and took corrective steps, including the removal of about 35 tons of contaminated soil from its location on West Pomeroy Lane, just east of the former Hickory Ridge Golf Course, which is now owned by the town.
This has allowed the MassDEP’s consent order to have the penalty reduced to $30,000, which also ensures that all violations cited in the order are corrected. The remainder of the fine is suspended so long as the company complies with all the terms and requirements of the order.
Taylor Davis referred questions to Lyons Witten of OHI Engineering Inc., a Mansfield environmental consulting and engineering services firm.
Witten explained in an email that there was a small diesel spill to the ground surface which was cleaned up properly after a misstep start, that the landscaping company’s waste oil storage and handling practices have been updated to comply with current regulations, and upgrades to fix a clogged stormwater pipe are in the process of being permitted prior to finishing this work.
“The company has cooperated with MassDEP throughout the investigation and took all necessary corrective actions,” Witten said.
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MassDEP’s mission is to protect and enhance the state’s natural resources, including air, water and land, to provide for the health, safety and welfare of all people, and a clean and safe environment for future generations.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.