Tunbridge Landowners Fined for Multiple Waste Violations

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release - June 14, 2025

CONTACT:
Kane Smart, Enforcement and Litigation Attorney, Agency of Natural Resources
802- 272-7245 | [email protected]

Tunbridge Landowners Fined for Multiple Waste Violations

Montpelier, Vt. - The Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that Brent and Carol Lindstrom, owners of a property in Tunbridge, were fined $11,250 for violations of the Vermont Salvage Yard Rule, Solid Waste Management Rules, and Hazardous Waste Management Regulations.

DEC's Waste Management and Prevention Division oversees the Salvage Yard Rule, Solid Waste Management Rules, and Vermont Hazardous Waste Management Regulations, which serve to protect human health and the environment by overseeing the use, treatment, and handling of hazardous and solid wastes. Salvage yards serve valuable functions by recycling and repurposing old vehicle parts but also generate hazardous materials that have the potential to contaminate soils, groundwater, and drinking water. As a result, salvage yard operators must obtain municipal and state permits to operate and follow the Vermont Hazardous Waste Management Regulations and Solid Waste Management Rules regarding the storage and disposal of solid and hazardous waste.

"It is important to properly dispose of solid waste to prevent toxic chemicals from seeping into the soil and contaminating water supplies. Vermont's salvage yards provide an important service by recycling scrap metal and managing hazardous waste materials in a safe way," says Jason Batchelder, DEC Commissioner. "DEC supports salvage yard operators with best management practices and training materials but will also step in as regulators when unpermitted salvage yards are discovered."

Brent and Carol Lindstrom have had waste materials on their property without the necessary permits since at least April 2021, including junk motor vehicles, scrap metal, tires, old farm equipment, drums, and other junk. Despite directing the Lindstroms to remove and properly dispose of the junk motor vehicles and other junk, varying quantities of junk motor vehicles, areas of soil staining, and other junk materials were observed on the property by the salvage yard inspector and an Agency environmental enforcement officer during multiple visits between April 2021 through October 2024.

The Lindstroms accomplished cleaning up their property in November 2024 but would not agree to pay a penalty for their violations. The Agency issued an Administrative Order directing the Lindstroms to pay a $11,250 penalty. This Administrative Order was incorporated into a Final Judicial Order of the Vermont Superior Court, Environmental Division, on June 6, 2025.

Visit DEC's Waste Management and Prevention Division website for more information on how to properly manage and dispose of waste.

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