The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has penalized Palmer Paving Corp. of Palmer $27,400 and required corrective action for violating state regulations governing air quality, hazardous waste and groundwater discharges.

The violations were discovered during MassDEP’s inspections of the company’s Palmer and Springfield facilities in June and August 2008, respectively, and through review of the company’s records and reports.

According to officials, Palmer Paving was not meeting numerous provisions of its MassDEP-issued air quality permits or meeting some of MassDEP’s hazardous waste management requirements. The company was also discharging industrial wastewater (truck wash water) to the ground.

Palmer Paving cooperated with MassDEP to address the noncompliance issues and has agreed to develop and implement an Environmental Management System (EMS) to prevent future noncompliance at its Palmer and Springfield facilities. The company must pay a penalty of $19,180; MassDEP will suspend an additional $8,220 pending the company’s compliance with the terms and conditions of the consent order.

"The implementation of a detailed Environmental Management System based upon the specific operations of a facility will help ensure compliance with MassDEP regulations," said Michael Gorski, director of MassDEP’s Western Regional office in Springfield.