Newsroom
All News Releases By Date
COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AUTO SALVAGE YARD
Release Date: 01/25/2001
Contact Information:
FOR RELEASE: THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2001
COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST DISTRICT
OF COLUMBIA AUTO SALVAGE YARD
OF COLUMBIA AUTO SALVAGE YARD
The United States filed a civil action under the Clean Water Act (CWA) against JurcharanBian of Garcia Auto Parts of Washington, D.C., for allegedly violating federal environmental laws at its auto salvage facility. The complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., seeks injunctive relief requiring the company to abate hazardous conditions resulting from the discharge of automobile fluids and other dangerous contaminants into storm water that feeds into the Anacostia River. It also requires the company to obtain and comply with a National Pollution Discharge Elimination
Systems storm water permit. The company allegedly discharged polluted storm water
containing motor oil, lead from batteries, organic plastics, and other hazardous materials
into the District of Columbia sewer system, which in turns drains into Hickery Run, a
tributary that feeds into the Anacostia River. In February 1999, EPA inspections revealed
that Garcia Auto Parts did not have a required CWA storm water discharge permit. EPA
issued an administrative order requiring the salvage yard to obtain the permit and to
implement a storm water pollution control plan. However, the company failed to obtain
the permit and has continued to discharge polluted storm water into local storm drains, the
complaint alleges. The company can be fined up to $27,500 each day, per violation under
the CWA. For more information visit: http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/dc/press/01006.html .
R-22 ###
Search this collection of releases | or search all news releases
View selected historical press releases from 1970 to 1998 in the EPA History website.
