BOSTON (AP) – A federal judge has found the state isn’t doing an adequate job cleaning up polluted stormwater along 2,500 miles of state roads and bridges.
U.S. District Judge William Young found Friday that the state is violating federal clean water laws intended to protect waterways from pollution.
Young made the decision from the bench after a six-day trial, which followed a suit by the Conservation Law Foundation two years ago.
The judge ordered the Massachusetts Highway Department to commit to a two-year schedule to adopt a new stormwater cleanup plan.
MassHighway Commissioner Luisa Paiewonsky said the department is already working with the Environmental Protection Agency and is committed to improving stormwater cleanup.
She said she was pleased with Young’s ruling, the bulk of which she said affirmed MassHighway’s work to protect the environment and wildlife.
AP-ES-05-30-08 1902EDT
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