USEPA fines Huntington Beach wind energy firm for polluting Bolsa Chica wetlands

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) recently announced a settlement with Airtech International, Inc., related to Clean Water Act violations at its facility in Huntington Beach, CA. Airtech manufactures materials used in the aerospace, automotive, marine, and wind energy industries.

An interpretive panel at Bolsa Chica's south parking lot facing the pedestrian bridge spanning inner Bolsa Bay 

Photo Credit: Ca Dept of Fish & Game, Photo by Kelly O'Reilly

The violations were related to illegal stormwater runoff discharges from December 2014 to January 2019 into the Bolsa Chica Channel, which flows into the Bolsa Chica Ecological Preserve before entering the Pacific Ocean.

The settlement requires Airtech to pay a fine of $95,208, conduct five beach cleanup events, and complete a habitat restoration project, including an initiative to replenish native Olympia oyster shells in the Upper Newport Bay and a replanting of eelgrass.

“Stormwater discharges from the manufacturing industry are a major contributor to California coastal water pollution,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division Director Amy Miller. “This settlement will bring about improved stormwater management at the Airtech facility along with a much needed project to clean up local beaches and restore coastal habitat.”

More information on USEPA's Stormwater program may be found at the following link: NPDES Stormwater Program