DEC fines Legoland $346,000

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has fined Legoland $346,000 for violations at it’s construction site in Goshen.

At issue were 30 turbidity violations, two violations for insufficient erosion and sediment control and four Petroleum Bulk Storage violations.

“The DEC is committed to holding Legoland accountable for violations of state environmental laws and regulations and on March 26 finalized a Consent Order for violations at its construction site in Goshen,” DEC Region 3 Director Kelly Turturro said in a statement. “This latest enforcement action is part of DEC’s active and ongoing efforts to monitor the construction project and enforce compliance with all applicable permits, laws and regulations.”

Turturro has been the DEC’s Region 3 director since March 2017. Region 3 includes Ulster, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan and Westchester counties.

The consent order also includes a compliance schedule to implement measures that correct all violations, an environmental benefit project of at least $50,000, and a monitor to ensure storm water compliance.

Turturro said in her statement that the “DEC will continue to rigorously oversee this project to ensure continued compliance.”

This is the third violation order on Legoland’s construction site since September 2018.

Meanwhile, on March 28, DEC also responded to a complaint and observed turbidity in the Otterkill Creek downstream from the Legoland site and noted a visible contrast from natural conditions in the creek.

The DEC issued a notice of violation on April 12 to Legoland for turbidity observed in the creek.

DEC will require the company to address this violation as part of the recent consent order that includes a compliance schedule to address turbidity and erosion and sediment control deficiencies on the site.

- Frances Ruth Harris