DEM Slaps Court Complaint on City Waste Recycler

By ecoRI News staff

EAST PROVIDENCE — The state Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is getting tough on a controversial construction processing facility that is long overdue in complying with a city regulation.

TLA Pond View, on Dexter Road, was hit with a DEM compliant in Providence Superior Court on Jan. 5 for failing to secure a letter of compliance. City officials, however, haven't issued the letter due to zoning violations relating to the amount and type of construction waste the company processes.

DEM first asked for the letter last July 26. On Dec. 14, DEM demanded that the document be provided by Jan. 4 or risk having its license yanked.

After TLA Pond View failed to meet the latest deadline, DEM asked the court to order the company to cease operations until the letter is issued by the city. If the court approves the request, the company's license would be suspended immediately. It also would be forced to stop taking in construction debris and remove and dispose of existing construction waste material within 14 days.

Despite a Statehouse protest last April attended by neighbors and activists, DEM gave permission for TLA Pond View to process 1,500 tons of construction and demolition waste a day, or 10 times its original permit of 150 tons daily.

A call to TLA Pond View was not returned. A hearing on the complaint will be heard in Superior Court on Jan. 23.

Neighbors of the facility have complained of toxic dust and other pollutants that have allegedly been emitted by the facility. Residents say the pollution has caused respiratory illness, headaches, nausea and other health problems.

"Residents have been urging DEM to enforce the law for over a year and couldn’t be happier that the day has finally come," said Taryn Hallweaver, a community organizer for Boston-based Toxics Action Center.