Earlier this year, the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board) took assertive action against National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) by assessing a fine of $135,000 for violations of its water discharge permit, which resulted in the discharge of at least 400,000 gallons of toxic storm water into San Diego Bay. The toxic chemicals in storm water end up in the Bay sediments, which can poison fish and threaten human health as the chemicals travel up the food chain.
In March, the Regional Board upheld the fine against NASSCO following an appeal hearing during which Environmental Health Coalition advocated that the shipbuilder be held responsible for violating pollution laws. However, NASSCO continues its strategy of spending money to avoid responsibility and has appealed the fine to the State Water Quality Control Board.
EHC filed a formal response to NASSCO’s appeal strongly supporting the Regional Board’s assessment of the fine. The letter states, in part, "Adding insult to injury, this violation comes on the heels of NASSCO’s fight against adequate cleanup of their contaminated sediment."
It is appalling that this large industrial polluter continues to fight for its rights to pollute the Bay through frivolous appeals.
This strategy has not been working well for the shipyards. A related significant victory against commercial shipyard pollution was had by our sister organization, San Diego BayKeeper, when the Supreme Court refused to hear Southwest Marine’s appeal of a ruling against them and ruled in favor of the clean water action brought by BayKeeper.
EHC continues to urge the industrial and military users of San Diego Bay to spend their resources protecting San Diego Bay and not fighting thoughtful and reasonable regulation.