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Claiming harm to animals, ecosystems, and people, two California environmental nonprofits sued Graniterock, one of San Benito County’s largest employers, on April 15 for allegedly polluting the Pajaro River.
Environment California and the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance claim that Graniterock has discharged harmful pollutants such as aluminum, iron, and molybdenum at levels exceeding what its permit allows into the Pajaro River from the A.R. Wilson Quarry in Aromas. The suit was filed in the federal court for the Northern District of California.
“Graniterock habitually violates its Clean Water Act permit, pays a trivial penalty and then continues polluting the Pajaro River as usual,” Director of Environment California Laura Deehan said in a news release. “Graniterock poses a risk to some of California’s most vulnerable species when it chooses to pay to pollute instead of addressing the systemic issues causing the pollution.”
The company rejects those allegations.
“Graniterock has always been committed to being a good steward of our lands,” Graniterock Director of Communications Shanna Crigger told BenitoLink, adding that the company will fight the arguments in court.
The plaintiffs argue that Graniterock collects stormwater and wastewater containing pollutants at a pond known as Quarry Lake. During the winter and spring months, when the lake fills beyond capacity, the suit alleges that Graniterock discharges this water into the Pajaro River at pollutant levels exceeding those permitted. To support those claims, the plaintiffs rely on self-monitoring reports filed to the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, as well as a 2024 EPA inspection of the quarry. They say the company has violated its Clean Water Act permit for more than 1,000 days since 2017.
“This pollution diminishes the enjoyment that the public derives from the Pajaro River,” the lawsuit says, adding that it harms people who kayak and fish, and harms species including the South-Central California Coast steelhead and the California red-legged frog.
Since it is a public interest lawsuit, the plaintiffs are not seeking damages. Instead, they are asking a court to declare that Graniterock has violated the Clean Water Act, order the company to comply with its permit, and impose civil penalties of up to $64,618. They are also seeking litigation costs.
Crigger rejected the claim that Graniterock violated its environmental permits.
“We honor our environmental responsibilities, and go to great lengths and invest mightily in the work needed to not only meet but to exceed our permit conditions,” Crigger said. “We will take a close look at this, and we’ll continue to work hand-in-hand with the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board as we have been for decades.”
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