Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that Larry Carr was fined $6,000 for operating an unpermitted salvage yard in connection with his automotive repair business in Richford.
Salvage yards serve valuable functions by recycling and repurposing old vehicle parts, but also generate hazardous materials like scrap metal, battery acid, and vehicle fluids that have the potential to contaminate soils, groundwater, and drinking water. As a result, salvage yard operators must hold municipal and state permits to operate and must follow the Vermont Hazardous Waste Management and Salvage Yard Rules to prevent contamination.
While visiting Carr’s property during the summer of 2016, the Agency determined that he was operating an unpermitted salvage yard—there were several dozen wrecked motor vehicles, numerous unregistered vehicles, and various dismantled parts and scrap metal. The Agency notified Mr. Carr of his responsibilities to either clean up the property or get the required operating permits but continued to make similar observations during subsequent site visits. By April 2021, several dozen junk motor vehicles, dismantled parts, and scrap metal remained on the property.
“Vermont’s permitted salvage yards provide an important service by recycling scrap metal and managing hazardous waste materials in a safe way. DEC supports salvage yard operators with best management practices and training materials,” says Peter Walke, DEC Commissioner, “but we will also step in as regulators when responsibilities are not being met.”
Carr agreed to remove all junk materials from the property by August 2022 and pay a fine of $6,000 for violating the Vermont Salvage Yard Rules. Mr. Carr further agreed to pay an additional $3,000 in penalties if he fails to meet the cleanup deadline. This settlement was incorporated into a Final Judicial Order of the Vermont Superior Court, Environmental Division, dated January 13, 2022.
DEC’s Salvage Yard Program provides tips for how to manage salvage yards safely, training materials and other information for salvage yard operators. To learn more, visit http://dec.vermont.gov/waste-management/salvage-yards
1.18.2021 Richford, VT – Vermont Agency of Natural Resources