Latest update April 24th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 01, 2009 News
Good Hope sawmill controversy…
Following the intervention of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the proprietor of a Good Hope sawmilling establishment, has taken steps to remedy a breach of what affected dozens of residents in the surrounding areas.
Residents had complained that the dust from the sawmill was severely affecting their health and had sought the intervention of the EPA.
Last week, officers from the agency visited the location, following which an agreement was undertaken to remedy the situation.
Two days ago, the proprietor erected wooden walls around a mound of sawdust which was the source of the problem.
According to a senior EPA official, had the situation not been rectified, the proprietor could have been slapped with a fine or given a cease order.
The EPA official explained, that in many cases, persons had satisfied the required conditions, when they had established their businesses, only to violate these conditions over a period of time.
“In most cases, these people do reach the required standard of operation to be granted an EPA permit, but then after that, they go back and violate these same requirements,” the EPA officer explained.
The official admitted that the agency has a problem with monitoring such businesses over an extended period.
“We monitor businesses on a yearly basis, but when people complain about environmental violations, we act on it right away,” the official told this newspaper.
The EPA source pointed out that the entity is not in the business of closing establishments, but is only working to ensure the safety of the citizens.
“The most problems we are getting are with the cottage industries. These businesses start in a residential environment and satisfy certain requirements, but then they grow and forget their obligations. They forget their responsibilities and think only about money,” the EPA staff said.
She advised that should a small company contemplate expansion which would impact negatively on the environment, they should contact the Environmental Protection Agency for the necessary approval.
She explained that many persons will blame the EPA, but in all cases residents have a 30 day period after a notice is published, to object to the setting of any business before the environmental clearance is granted.
Residents in the Good Hope community, that are in close proximity to the sawmill, have expressed their appreciation for the intervention of the EPA.
However, they are claiming that despite the erecting of a wall to contain the dust, the establishment needs to remove the sawdust that was spread to a nearby yard for land filling purposes.
They also want the EPA to monitor the disposal of the excess dust which will accumulate over a period of time.
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