The New York State Department of Conservation has fined the developers of Clovewood Estates for committing several environmental violations at a construction site in South Blooming Grove, DEC Regional Director Kelly Turturro announced yesterday.
The site in question is located on Clove Road between Salisbury Mills and Route 208 in Monroe.
An Order on Consent assesses a civil penalty of $228,007 against Keen Equities, LLC, for violations Including water quality, impacts to threatened species, and construction without required permits.
Included in the penalty is $150,000 payable and $78,007 suspended if Keen complies with the terms of the Order, and requires all work at the site to stop, with the exception of site soil stabilization work, until the developer obtains the required DEC permits.
“DEC is committed to holding violators accountable for damaging the environment and, for months, Keen Equities ignored the requirements necessary to protect water quality and habitat,” Turturro said. “DEC’s enforcement action is the latest step in New York State’s efforts to bring this site into compliance, and our staff will continue to closely oversee this site to ensure the consent order and our stringent laws and regulations are followed.”
New York State Senator James Skoufis added, “After years of Clovewood’s flagrant disregard for serious environmental concerns spanning water, sewer, and wildlife impacts; six total stop-work orders being issued by the DEC; and direct calls for action by my office and concerned residents, we’re finally seeing some enforcement by state regulators.”
Skoufis continued, “This is one of the largest fines DEC has issued in recent years and I applaud the department for assessing these substantial penalties, a strong step to counter this high-density disaster. My office and I will continue to monitor the developers and, in the meantime, our message is clear: no one is above the law.”
The DEC has recorded ongoing violations at 505 Clove Road in the Village of South Blooming Grove since May 2022. The DEC issued several Notices of Violation that included Cease and Desist directives. The Consent Order addresses violations of the Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) and its implementing regulations for: adverse impacts to habitat for a threatened species (timber rattlesnake); engaging in construction activities without the required DEC Permits; and violating water quality standards for turbidity.
To protect human health and the environment, the DEC promises ensure site compliance with regular site visits and the issuance of additional violations when warranted.
