A Florida Circuit Court has ruled against a Holly Hill, Fla., auto recycling and dismantling facility.
In his ruling, earlier this month, Judge Frank Marriott found that Holly Hill Salvage and Junk was found in contempt and has been ordered to pay about $59,000. Additionally, the judge ordered the company to clean up the contamination at the facility.
Lu Berston, environmental manager, solid and hazardous waste compliance and enforcement for the DEP’s central district, said that the agency has been working on the issue with Holly Hill Salvage for about six years. The case, according to Berston, focused on the mismanagement of auto residuals, including liquids.
“There were no processes to removing the fluids before the autos were crushes,” Berston says.
The fine includes a penalty of $50,000 and $8,700 that must be paid to the DEP to pay for the inspection that the agency provided.
The company has 90 days to submit a Remediation action Plan to the agency.
According to local press reports DEP officers searched the facility about three years ago and found found illegally stored pollutants such as oil, antifreeze, fuel and tires. By state law, all fluids must be drained from cars before they are crushed, but undercover officers said they had seen fluids running from cars while they were being crushed.