EPA Orders C&D Company to Remove Waste from River

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ordered a demolition and construction company to remove large volumes of demolition waste from the San Pedro River in Pomerene, Ariz.

In 2003, Devin Fenn and D. Fenn Enterprises, Inc., transported solid waste materials -- including broken concrete, asphalt, metal re-bar, soil, metal and PVC pipes, and vegetative debris -- to the San Pedro River, and illegally dumped the waste into the river without consultation or authorization from state or federal regulatory agencies.

While the river is seasonally dry in the reach affected by the dumping, flows can be high in wet weather.  The debris can cause serious problems downstream, including impaired water quality, water hazards due to storm debris, and damage to the health of riparian forests and habitat for sensitive species.

Under the order, Fenn and his company must remove the waste from the river, transport it to an authorized landfill and restore the river to its natural condition.