FERRISBURGH — The state agency in charge of Vermont parks last week admitted to two violations of its sewage treatment and disposal system permit at Button Bay State Park in Ferrisburgh and one violation of its permit at Lake Carmi State Park in Enosburg Falls. The violations occurred in summer 2014.
The office of the attorney general last week announced that the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation has agreed to pay $5,000 in civil penalties to the state of Vermont, to settle claims that the department violated its environmental permits concerning the maintenance of sewage treatment and disposal systems at the two parks.
According to court filings, the Parks Department did not have a certified operator analyze the sewage treatment and disposal system at Button Bay State Park from May 23-31, 2014, nor did it submit a required report that month on the operation and management of the sewage disposal system there. Also, the department admitted that on Aug. 29, 2014, sampling at Button Bay showed unacceptable levels of fecal coliform spray, which indicated the potential failure of the disinfection system.
At Lake Carmi, officials failed to have an engineer inspect some aspects of the sewage treatment system, as was required by the state park’s permit.
“State parks operate under the same requirements as any other water treatment system, and all such systems must comply with Vermont’s environmental regulations,” said Attorney General Sorrell in a press release. “The department acknowledged the mistakes and has now committed to proper maintenance and oversight going forward.”
Under the terms of a Consent Order issued by the Superior Court Washington Unit, the Parks Department will report for the next two years to confirm its compliance with its sewage treatment and disposal systems at Button Bay, Lake Carmi, and Woodford state parks. The attorney general did not outline any specific concerns at Woodford State Park, which is in Bennington.