Cleaning up dirty salvage yards

October 25, 2009

Vermont is known for its pristine landscapes, yet an unknown number of junkyards litter our state with abandoned cars, stockpiled tires, and the dangerous pollution they produce. Many salvage yards are properly operated and maintained, but many others are endangering our waterways and the health of nearby communities. VPIRG-backed S.47 takes a first step in addressing this problem by consolidating oversight of salvage yards within the Vermont Agency of Natural resources and requiring the Agency to implement a program dedicated to enforcing state and federal law.  The bill also requires salvage yards be set back from waterways and that the Agency report back with recommendations on how to better regulate salvage yards in Vermont.