Judge expands powers of special master as remediation cleanup continues at RI Recycled Metals

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Superior Court judge has now expanded the powers of Rhode Island Recycled Metals’ special master.

The city had previously issued a cease-and-desist on operations at the yard after the owners withdrew a necessary application, and the city council passed a resolution in May calling for the closure due to “environmental concerns.”

The site has seen multiple fires this past year.

Back in July, Judge Brian Stern cited the business as a “public nuisance,” and it was shut down until it could prove it is equipped to prevent future fires.

It has since reopened, and despite calls for the business to be put into receivership, the site will continue to operate as it works on a site remediation plan.

According to a statement issued by Neronha on Friday, RIRM’s special matter will now have complete control and management of the site’s environmental permitting process and compliance, including the site clean-up and stormwater pollution prevention.

“While we still believe that a full receivership is the best path forward, we are encouraged by the significant additional safeguards provided by this decision,” said Neronha.

Neronha’s statement continued:

“Rhode Island Recycled Metals has long caused significant harm to the residents of South Providence, and more or less gotten away with it, for over 10 years. That stops now. We will continue to be vigilant in ensuring RIRM’s environmental compliance at this site and with this new Order, and we certainly won’t hesitate to take further action if necessary.”

In response to the decision, a spokesperson for RIRM said the ruling now brings to a close nearly “nine years of legal challenges in which the State attempted to usurp and interfere with the owners’ right to manage and develop their property, which included submitting appropriate environmental applications.”

“RIRM has received its Program Letter from RIDEM, completed its second Public Involvement Plan meeting with the community, and continues to move forward with the pre-application process for final submission of all environmental applications,” the spokesperson said.

RIRM said their special master will now take the lead to ensure diligence, efficiency, and efficacy.

They said they remain committed to fulfilling their obligations and “working collaboratively on the site remediation.”