DEP Assesses $73,153 Penalty On 2 Contractors Building A Rutter's Store In Blair County For Water Quality Violations; Exactly The Kind Of Violations A Citizen Group Was Afraid Of

On November 27, 2023, the Department of Environmental Protection signed a consent assessment with M&G Realty, Inc. and Curry Excavating, Inc. that included a $73,153 penalty for water quality violations and failure to implement erosion and sedimentation controls at the 20-acre construction site for a Rutter's Store in Antis Township, Blair County.

The illegal activities impacted a segment of Sandy Run, a High Quality stream, and Exceptional Value wetlands.

The Blair County Conservation District did multiple inspections of the site in May, June, July and August of 2023 and found the companies failed to implement and/or maintain effective Best Management Places to prevent erosion and sedimentation from the site.

The companies failed to comply with the terms and conditions of the NPDES permit they were issued for the earth disturbance activities.

Blair County will receive $2,883 of the penalty and DEP will deposit $70,270 in the state Clean Water Fund.

Click Here for a copy of the consent assessment.

In August 2022, members of the Little Juniata River Association raised concerns about the potential for construction and operation of the Rutter’s Store negatively impacting Sandy Run, a High Quality trout stream, and adjacent Exceptional Value wetlands.  Read more here.

Construction at the site began after DEP issued its permit in May 2023. Construction did not stop on the site.  The majority of the exterior construction appears complete.

Another Permit

On January 31, 2024, the Department of Environmental Protection issued an individual NPDES Stormwater Permit to M&G Realty, Inc. for the construction of Rutter’s Store #93 in Smithfield Township, Huntingdon County.  Read more here.

NewsClips:

-- Altoona Mirror: Rutter’s Store Contractors Fined $73,000 For Water Quality Violations Discovered Last Year In Blair County

-- WTAJ: Rutter’s Store Proposal In Blair County Draws Concerns

-- WTAJ: Construction Starts For Antis Twp. Rutter’s Despite Runoff Concerns

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[Posted: January 30, 2024]  PA Environment Digest