Daufuskie Island company ordered to pay $35,000 fine by DHEC
A Daufuskie Island company has been ordered to pay a $35,000 fine for failing to permanently close underground storage tanks and pay fees on those tanks at an island boat landing, according to records from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
The $35,350 fine was levied against Daufuskie Embarkment LLC on July 13 for underground storage tanks at a boat landing on Melrose Landing Road, according to records from a DHEC meeting agenda scheduled for Sept. 10.
The company was fined in July after violating the regulations for underground storage tanks when it "failed to permanently close tanks that do not meet corrosion protection standards; failed to provide financial responsibility and failed to demonstrate financial responsibility for a tank system upon request by the department; and, failed to pay annual tank registration fees," the order said.
Two storage tanks used at the facility to store gasoline and diesel fuel were not in compliance with state regulations and needed to be closed in accordance with that statute, DHEC spokeswoman Cassandra Harris said Wednesday. No leaks or releases from those tanks has been reported, Harris said.
According to the order issued with the fine, Daufuskie Embarkment was first issued a notice of alleged violation in February.
Attempts Wednesday to reach Daufuskie Embarkment for comment were unsuccessful.
In addition to the fine, Daufuskie Embarkment must close the two tanks at DHEC's approval and pay annual registration fees of $2,252 for them, the order said.
To permanently close a tank, the owner or operator must first empty and clean the tank by removing all liquids and sludges. The tank either needs to be removed from the ground or filled in with an "inert, solid material" according to state regulations, Harris said.
If Daufuskie Embarkment does not take action to close the tanks or the pay the fire, further enforcement and legal actions could come into play, Harris said.
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This story was originally published September 9, 2015 at 4:35 PM with the headline "Daufuskie Island company ordered to pay $35,000 fine by DHEC."