Press Release

Press Release  Westford Quarry Operator Penalized for Nuisance Dust Emissions Impacting Residents

For immediate release:
7/10/2024
  • Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

Media Contact   for Westford Quarry Operator Penalized for Nuisance Dust Emissions Impacting Residents

Edmund Coletta, MassDEP – Director of Public Affairs

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has assessed a $19,000 penalty to W.J. Graves Construction Co., Inc. for violations of Massachusetts air quality regulations due to nuisance dust conditions at its quarry and rock-crushing operation in Westford. 

In 2023, MassDEP received complaints of dust and visible emissions at the W.J. Graves Westford facility impacting residents and businesses. During inspections by MassDEP and the Westford Health Department, it was found that the Company produced nuisance dust conditions by improperly maintaining piles of crushed stone at the facility and allowing truck traffic exiting the facility along private and public portions of Ledge Road to generate dust that impacted residents. 

“The nuisance dust produced by the facility’s operations is a threat to the health and well-being of the residents and businesses located in the Ledge Road neighborhood,” said Eric Worrall, director of MassDEP’s Northeast Regional Office in Woburn. “The company must implement a plan to address those fugitive emissions and protect the health of the residents or cease operations at the facility.” 

In addition to paying its penalty, W.J. Graves is required to submit a permit application to MassDEP to address and mitigate emissions produced by the operations at the Westford site. The mitigation measures include applying water or an encrusting agent to aggregate material storage piles, using a water truck to spray water on the roadways within the facility throughout the hours the roadway is in use, cease any addition of aggregate stone to storage piles located along the site’s east property line, and relocate the fine particulate aggregate storage piles away from the east property line. 

MassDEP’s mission is to protect and enhance the Commonwealth’s natural resources – air, water and land – to provide for the health, safety and welfare of all people, and to ensure a clean and safe environment for future generations. In carrying out this mission, MassDEP commits to address and advance environmental justice and equity for all people of the Commonwealth; to provide meaningful, inclusive opportunities for people to participate in agency decisions that affect their lives; and to ensure a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

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Media Contact   for Westford Quarry Operator Penalized for Nuisance Dust Emissions Impacting Residents

  • Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection 

    MassDEP's mission is to protect and enhance the Commonwealth's natural resources - air, water, and land - to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of all people, and to ensure a clean and safe environment for future generations. In carrying out this mission MassDEP commits to address and advance environmental justice and equity for all people of the Commonwealth, provide meaningful, inclusive opportunities for people to participate in agency decisions that affect their lives; and ensure a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.​
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