NYSDEC issued a Notice of Violation to Superintendent Richard Benkwitt regarding a separate facility: the Pocantico River Road Compost Facility in Pleasantville, Westchester County. It’s included here as a related matter involving the same town department and similar violations.

Background

Department staff inspected the site on July 10 and July 16, 2026.

Violation cited

• 6 NYCRR Part 360.9(a)(1): The facility was operating a yard trimmings compost operation without a valid permit — the facility’s permit had expired on June 20, 2024.

Staff also observed C&D debris stored on site (excavated material mixed with non-soil material, and a pile of asphalt millings) that wasn’t authorized under the now-expired permit. The notice states that any modification to allow that material could reduce the facility’s permitted capacity, and directs that C&D debris be stored separately from the compost area until removed.

Issued by

Ian MacColl, NYSDEC Environmental Program Specialist 2, Division of Materials Management, Region 3.