Environmental Accountability: Great Lakes Cheese Slapped with $475K Penalty for Water Pollution

A major player in the dairy industry, Great Lakes Cheese, has been ordered to pay a significant $475,000 in penalties for a series of environmental violations that jeopardized Western New York's vital waterways. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the substantial fine, stemming from years of infractions at the company's Allegany facility in Cattaraugus County.

The DEC's investigation revealed a troubling pattern of misconduct, with the cheese giant accused of discharging industrial wastewater containing excessive levels of phosphorus directly into a tributary of the Allegany River.

These illicit discharges, which occurred between 2018 and 2021, directly violated the terms of the company’s State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permit.

Beyond the direct pollution, Great Lakes Cheese also faced accusations of failing to adequately operate its pollution control equipment and, critically, submitting inaccurate discharge monitoring reports.

These reports are crucial for environmental oversight, designed to ensure facilities are complying with stringent state and federal regulations. The DEC's actions followed a citizen complaint filed in 2020, highlighting the important role public vigilance plays in environmental protection.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos underscored the gravity of the situation, stating, "New York's precious water resources are for everyone to enjoy and DEC remains steadfast in holding polluters accountable for violations that jeopardize our environment and public health.

This agreement with Great Lakes Cheese holds the company responsible for violating water quality standards and implements comprehensive measures that will protect the Allegany River and its watershed for years to come."

In response to the DEC's findings, Great Lakes Cheese has committed to a comprehensive overhaul of its environmental practices.

The company has invested in new, state-of-the-art wastewater treatment equipment, including an advanced biological treatment system and a chemical phosphorus removal system. Furthermore, they have hired new, qualified staff to manage environmental compliance and implemented improved operational procedures to prevent future occurrences.

The $475,000 penalty is divided into two key components.

A sum of $200,000 will be directed to the state’s Environmental Protection Fund, supporting critical environmental initiatives across New York. The remaining $275,000 is earmarked for local environmental benefit projects within the Allegany River watershed. These projects are specifically designed to address water quality issues, including streambank stabilization, nutrient reduction, and agricultural conservation initiatives, directly remediating the impact of past violations and bolstering the health of the local ecosystem.