CSPA Files Lawsuit Against City of Watsonville for Pollution Discharges

On 4 April 2014 CSPA filed a lawsuit against the City of Watsonville for massive violations of the state’s General Industrial Stormwater Permit. The City of Watsonville operates a 7-acre recycling and solid waste processing facility that discharges polluted stormwater into the municipal storm sewer system, Watsonville Slough and ultimately into the Pacific Ocean.  A Notice Letter of Intent to Sue if the matter wasn’t resolved was sent 1 February 2014.

The lawsuit alleges that facility discharges pollutants in violation of permit conditions and the CWA.  It further alleges the facility has failed to: 1) develop and implement standard Best Available and Best Conventional Treatment Technologies, 2) develop and implement an adequate Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan and 3) develop and implement an adequate Monitoring and Reporting Program.

The action asks the court to: 1) declare the City of Watsonville to be in violation of the law, 2) enjoin defendant from discharging pollutants, 3) enjoin defendant from further violating the substantive and procedural requirements of the permit, 4) take appropriate actions to restore the quality of navigable waters impaired by their activities, 5) pay civil penalties for each day of violation and 6) award CSPA the costs of bringing the complaint.   The Law Offices of Andrew Packard are representing CSPA in this matter.

Notice Letter

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