The Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced Thursday

The Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced Thursday that Brent Bapp was fined $24,859.80 for operating a salvage yard without a permit on his property in Barton. Salvage yards are responsible for operating in compliance with laws that protect public health and the environment and must obtain a salvage yard permit from the Agency of Natural Resources. In 2018, agency staff conducted a site inspection of Bapp’s property and observed the outdoor storage of approximately 28 junk motor vehicles. This activity meets the definition of a salvage yard and requires a permit. Bapp was notified of the violation and given directives to bring the property into compliance. During a follow-up site visit in July 2020, staff observed that the property had been returned to compliance. However, in December 2020, during a site inspection staff observed that the property was in violation of the Salvage Yard Rule again. After contacting Bapp multiple times to inform him of the violation and attempt to gain compliance, the site remained in violation during several site visits between December 2020 and August 2023. As many as 65 junk motor vehicles were observed on the unpermitted site. The Agency filed an Administrative Order with the Superior Court, Environmental Division. The parties agreed to a fine of $24,859.80 for the violations. He also agreed to cease accepting junk or junk motor vehicles at the site and bring the property into compliance by July 31, 2024.