CONTRA COSTA COUNTY CA District attorneys in 14 California county, including Contra Costa, reached an $2.5 million settlement over stormwater pollution and hazardous waste concerns with a car-dismantling company.
Pick-N-Pull (a subsidiary of Schnitzner Steel Inc.) operates 21 facilities throughout Northern California, including Richmond. The company purchases end-of-life cars, sells the parts and recycles the steel.
Contra Costa County joined Santa Clara, San Joaquin and Sacramento counties to conduct an unannounced series of waste inspections at Pick-N-Pull facilities. The investigation revealed that the company routinely and illicitly disposed automobile fluids and aerosols.
Pick-N-Pull, as a result, will pay $1.85million in civil penalty, $350,000 in enforcement cost, and $350,000 for environmental projects including the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund.
Pick-N-Pull can also be used to implement compliance measures.
Diana Becton, Contra Costa County District attorney, stated that it was a priority to protect the environment and waterways from harmful pollutants. Pick-N-Pull responded quickly to prosecutors’ inquiries and implemented new training procedures and practices for hazardous waste disposal.