Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

EPA weighs enforcement action over water pollution

CARSON CITY — Gov. Brian Sandoval scolded the state Department of Transportation today for failing to take prompt action to permanently stop polluted runoff from flowing into Nevada waterways.

He said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency may now take enforcement action that could cost the state “tens of millions of dollars.”

The EPA has issued two major violations over contaminated water flowing into Lake Tahoe and the Truckee River.

Transportation Director Rudy Malfabon said the agency has taken preliminary steps to correct the problems, and meetings are set for Tuesday and Wednesday with EPA officials. The state may find out then what action, if any, the EPA will take, Sandoval said.

“I’m really frustrated,” said Sandoval, who acts as chairman of the state Transportation Board. “When the EPA says jump, we should say, ‘How high.’”

The EPA cited the department in 2011 for allowing contaminated water at its maintenance yard in Sparks to flow into the Truckee River. Polluted water from a pond near Lake Tahoe entered the lake, the EPA charged.

Malfabon said $1.5 million was spent for preliminary improvements. But no permanent fix has been made.

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