EPA takes action against Connecticut company for Clean Water Act violations
Settlement results in wetland and stream restoration in Durham
Contact Information Mikayla Rumph (rumph.mikayla@epa.gov) (617) 918-1016
DURHAM, CONN. (Nov. 7, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently reached an agreement with a Connecticut company resolving alleged violations of the federal Clean Water Act related to the unpermitted filling of wetlands and other waters of the United States. The alleged violations, which occurred between 2018 and 2021, involve the mechanical clearing and filling of wetlands and tributaries covered by the Clean Water Act to create farm fields.
“One of EPA’s most important jobs is to protect water resources, such as wetlands, for both communities and wildlife,” said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash.” EPA is committed to protecting clean water resources like wetlands and holding accountable those who fail to follow laws that ensure their protection. This settlement will ensure the restoration of vital wetlands that provide a range of important ecological benefits for wildlife and local communities.”
Under the terms of the settlement, Silenex Associates, LLC will restore and/or mitigate eight and a half acres of freshwater wetlands and around 3,000 linear feet of the impacted tributaries to their natural condition. In addition, Silenex Associates, LLC will pay a civil penalty of $24,500.
Background
Natural wetlands are vital to protecting the integrity of our nation’s waters and help to protect the health and safety of people and their communities by providing a natural filtration system for pollution before it gets into our rivers, lakes and ponds, and by preventing flooding after storms. Wetlands also provide valuable wildlife habitat, offering breeding and feeding grounds for a broad array of fish, birds and other wildlife. Converting natural wetlands to other uses can thus profoundly alter flood flows, undermine the pollutant-filtering abilities of wetlands, and reduce important habitat.
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