City of Long Beach cited for illegal dumping

The City of Long Beach received another notice of violation from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, this time for dumping some 1,000 cubic yards of construction debris along Reynolds Channel near the Long Beach bridge.

The violation, dated May 7, cites the city for dumping solid waste that was a mix of bricks, concrete, wood and other construction material in an unauthorized disposal facility.

The city does own an area south of Water Street at the intersection of Riverside Boulevard that it is permitted by the DEC to dump construction material that is then hauled away by Jamaica Ash for processing.

“This isn’t considered an appropriate way to dispose of solid waste,” said Bill Fonda, a spokesman for the DEC, who added that as of June 2 the city had cleaned up all of the material and will not be fined.

Fonda added that the city informed the DEC that it created a berm for flood control, but City Manager Charles Theofan did not return calls requesting comment.

This is the second violation from the DEC that the city has received; the first was issued in August 2009 citing work done on dunes in the West and East ends. The city was cited for excavating and using heavy machinery on vegetative dunes on the beach at Illinois Avenue and between Roosevelt and Neptune boulevards.

The city was not fined, but had until May 15 to restore the displaced sands and replant the disturbed areas with native grass like American beach grass, seaside golden rod and beach plum.

The DEC sent the city plans on May 25 on how to rebuild the dunes, said Fonda. The plans will also show were to place fencing and locations for planting. There is a June 15 deadline for planting.

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