BLOOMING GROVE – State Department of Environmental Conservation Regional Director Kelly Turturro Tuesday announced the execution of an order on consent against Keen Equities, LLC, for violations at the Clovewood residential development construction site in South Blooming Grove.
The order assesses a significant civil penalty of $228,007, with $150,000 payable and $78,007 suspended if Keen complies with the terms of the order, and requires all work at the site to stop, with the exception of site soil stabilization work, until the developer obtains the required DEC permits.
“DEC is committed to holding violators accountable for damaging the environment and, for months, Keen Equities ignored the requirements necessary to protect water quality and habitat,” Turturro said. “DEC’s enforcement action is the latest step in New York State’s efforts to bring this site into compliance, and our staff will continue to closely oversee this site to ensure the consent order and our stringent laws and regulations are followed.”
DEC has recorded ongoing violations at 505 Clove Road in the Village of South Blooming Grove since May 2022. DEC issued several notices of violation that included cease and desist directives.
The consent order addresses violations of the Environmental Conservation Law and its implementing regulations for:
- adverse impacts to habitat for a threatened species (timber rattlesnake);
- engaging in construction activities without the required DEC permits; and
- violating water quality standards for turbidity.
To protect human health and the environment, DEC will ensure site compliance with regular site visits and the issuance of additional violations when warranted.
State Senator James Skoufis (D, Cornwall) lauded the DEC action. “After years of Clovewood’s flagrant disregard for serious environmental concern spanning water, sewer, and wildlife impacts, six total stop-work orders being issued by the DEC and direct calls for action by my office and concerned residents, we’re finally seeing some enforcement by state regulators,” he said.
