"Longstanding environmental" violations have cost Putnam County a $55,000 fine by the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).  The fines could rise by an additional $100,000 or more if the county does not address the problem, said DEC Region 3 Director (and former NYLCV Capital District Board Member) William Janeway this week.

The Journal News reported that the fines involved "reddish-brown" leakage from a county landfill in Carmel and sewage discharge at the Putnam National Golf Club, for instance. The DEC is also requiring the county to better maintain its oil storage tanks and update its long-expired solid-waste management plan.  The DEC's fines do not include Putnam's share of the cost to fix the issues.

At least one of the issues was brought to light by citizen action.   In 2000, Putnam Country resident Jerry Ravnitzky contacted the DEC and Putnam County about the landfill, but said his concerns were dismissed at the time.

Putnam County Attorney Jennifer Bumgarner said the settlement with the DEC "protects the country from additional exposure to liability," according to the article.