Environmental group moves to sue Santa Paula auto recyclers
Zeke Barlow
Ventura County Star
04/22/2011
A local environmental group has taken the first step in suing nine Santa Paula auto recycling facilities along the Santa Clara River.
Wishtoyo Foundation's Ventura Coastkeeper Program alleges the companies are violating the Clean Water Act by failing to report water quality samples and for discharging toxin-laden stormwater into the river.
The companies, all located along the industrial-rich area of Mission Rock Road, are: Ventura County Auto Parts, Pick the Part, Pick Your Part, Tri-County Auto Dismantlers, Ventura Mercedes Dismantling, Muschamp Dismantling, ABC Auto Parts and Dismantling, Ventura Truck Only Dismantlers, and C&D Auto Parts and Dismantling.
"Our campaign to rid Ventura County waterways of polluted stormwater will continue until every discharger is in compliance with the Clean Water Act," Mati Waiya, executive director of the Wishtoyo Foundation said in a release this week.
The group did their own water quality tests and looked at sampling results the facilities reported to make the determination to start he suit. Under the Clean Water Act, a 60-day notice must be filed before the suit is filed.
