Settlement reached over General Magnaplate’s runoff into Santa Clara River
The Environmental Defense Center and Santa Barbara law firm Keller Rohrback reached a settlement with General Magnaplate California to address alleged Clean Water Act violations stemming from storm water runoff generated by its Ventura electroplating facility.
General Magnaplate, which has made reinforced parts used in the aerospace, transportation, medical, oil and other industries for more than 30 years, has agreed to implement enhanced storm water management measures to ensure that the runoff does not contain high levels of zinc, aluminum and other pollutants. The company will repair paved surfaces and install metal-reducing technology. It will also contribute $15,000 to the Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment to be used for future Santa Clara River watershed water quality improvements.
The settlement resulted from the Santa Barbara nonprofit’s notice letter alleging that Magnaplate’s Ventura facility has been illegally dumping wastewater into the Santa Clara River. The city relies on the watershed for drinking water, it is home to endangered species and funnels into the Pacific Ocean.
• Contact Alex Kacik at akacik@pacbiztimes.com.
