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EPA fines Total Petroleum $345K to settle violations

Total will construct the third and final phase of the Condado Lagoon Taíno Coral Trail and Reef Enhancement Project. (Credit: www.estuario.org)

Total will construct the third and final phase of the Condado Lagoon Taíno Coral Trail and Reef Enhancement Project. (Credit: www.estuario.org)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Tuesday it has reached an agreement with Total Petroleum Puerto Rico Corporation to settle the company’s alleged violations of requirements to control pollution from stormwater discharges at its Guaynabo Bulk Fuels Terminal.

Under the agreement, Total Petroleum is required to comply with the Clean Water Act’s stormwater discharge requirements associated with industrial activities and will pay a $345,000 penalty.

The company will also invest $40,000 to construct and install approximately 30 artificial reef modules in the Condado Lagoon, which was recently designated as a nature reserve.

“Puerto Rico has extraordinary natural resources, including amazing water bodies and coastal ecosystems that are important places of recreation and tourist attractions,” said Carmen Guerrero-Pérez, the Director of the EPA’s Caribbean Environmental Protection Division.

“Every company operating in Puerto Rico has an obligation to comply with the Clean Water Act so these water resources are not damaged and degraded,” she said.

The Clean Water Act requires that certain industrial facilities apply for and obtain National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits to control the discharge of pollutants carried out by stormwater runoff into nearby water bodies.

These facilities must develop and implement a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan that details the best management practices that the company will follow to prevent stormwater runoff from washing harmful pollutants into local water bodies, the EPA said.

Without adequate on-site controls, stormwater runoff can flow directly to the nearest water body and can cause water quality damage such as siltation of rivers, beach closings, fishing restrictions, and habitat degradation. As stormwater flows over these facilities, it can pick up pollutants, including dirt or sediments, nutrients, trash, chemicals, and oils. Of particular concern is the uncontrolled runoff that can harm or kill fish and wildlife due to changes in water quality, hydrology, and other factors.

The EPA complaint alleges that Total Petroleum violated numerous stormwater requirements at its Guaynabo Bulk Fuels Terminal, such as failing to: implement best management practices; implement a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan; monitor and report discharge data of the facility’s discharges of pollutants; and obtain the appropriate stormwater discharge permit associated with industrial activity.

In addition to agreeing to come into compliance with the Clean Water Act and paying a penalty, Total Petroleum has also agreed to construct a new stormwater collection and discharge system at the Guaynabo Terminal, as well as submit an updated stormwater permit application for the facility.

The company will also construct the third and final phase of the Condado Lagoon Taíno Coral Trail and Reef Enhancement Project, which is built in the northeastern reach of the Condado Lagoon’s outlet to the Atlantic Ocean, the EPA said.

Total Petroleum will install approximately 30 artificial reef modules to provide artificial habitats for reef species in the San Juan Bay Estuary. The purpose of this project is to enhance, protect, and promote marine life diversity in the Estuary System, which is designated as an estuary of national importance and is part of the EPA’s National Estuaries Program.

Total Petroleum will invest a minimum of $40,000 for this project that benefits the environment and the community, and is not required to bring the company into compliance.

The proposed consent decree has been lodged in the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, and is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval.

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This story was written by our staff based on a press release.
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