Lake County >> International Surfacing Systems (ISS) will have to pay $30,000 in a settlement reached with the Lake County Air Quality Management District (LCAQMD) and District Attorney’s Office for knowingly violating district rules and regulations.
ISS operated a rubberized chip seal production plant on Grange Road near Hidden Valley Lake from Aug. 9 through Aug. 19, 2010 for a Highway 29 and Highway 175 project without applying for a proper permit, according to a statement from LCAQMD.
“Not only was this a violation of the Lake County Air Quality Management District Rules and Regulations, but the operation resulted in significant impacts to a nearby residence, and constituted an unfair business advantage,” the office said in the statement.
The company provides rubberize chip seal and other seal coat product installations throughout California. As part of the settlement agreement, ISS, “is permanently enjoined and restrained from constructing and operating any plants or equipment used in the production of asphalt rubber paving materials that emit any air contaminants whatsoever” in Lake County, except for the driving of a vehicle with proper license, unless permitted and/or authorized by LCAQMD.
LCAQMD Air Pollution Control Officer Doug Gearhart said such plants produce, “volatile organic compounds, particulate matter and other toxic compounds, which if they have obtained proper permits, we would have required them to test and see what those contaminants are.”
He also noted that the production plant was within 100 feet of a home that had several small children. The family had to relocate for the duration of the production because of odor emissions.
Lake County’s clean air attainment status is a great achievement and a challenge to maintain. Operators who fail to comply with local requirements expose our communities to potentially toxic air contaminants. Our local operators have a long history of working collaboratively with the Air District to ensure compliance and we expect the same environmental stewardship from these large companies as well,” the release stated.
