Recycler ordered to cease discharge of toxic pollutants to San Francisco Bay

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Jan. 10, 2012 -- The U.S. EPA has ordered Sims Metal Management to submit a revised stormwater pollution prevention plan and to update monitoring and sampling procedures after inspections found evidence of unlawful discharges of PCBs, mercury, lead, copper and zinc into San Francisco Bay.

Sims Metal, located at the Port of Redwood City, CA, is one of the largest metal shredders in the Bay Area, and regularly shreds entire cars before exporting the metal overseas.

"The EPA is committed to protecting the Bay by ensuring compliance with environmental permits," said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA's Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. "Companies such as Sims Metal Management, engaged in recycling our finite resources, must abide by the Clean Water Act."

During stormwater compliance inspections in March and August 2011, EPA enforcement officers found evidence at the facility's shipping and rail receiving areas that pollutants have been discharged to Redwood Creek, a direct tributary to San Francisco Bay. Debris and soil samples demonstrated elevated PCBs, mercury, lead, copper and zinc.

EPA's order requires Sims to submit a revised stormwater pollution prevention plan and to update monitoring and sampling within 30 days of the order; and to develop and implement stormwater pollution counter measures. EPA's order also requires Sims Metal Management to develop and submit a plan within 90 days to eliminate these discharges to Redwood Creek within one year. The company must: sample stormwater discharges monthly throughout the winter and spring; revise their stormwater pollution prevention plan to update monitoring and sampling; and develop and implement stormwater pollution counter measures for all areas of activity. Sims is working cooperatively with the EPA to address requirements of the order.

• To view a copy of the enforcement order the EPA has issued to Sims Metal, visit www.epa.gov/region9/water/npdes/compliance.html#sims
• For more info on compliance, visit www.epa.gov/region9/water/npdes/compliance.html

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