Delaware Riverkeeper network files notice of intent to sue against gun club

Bristol, PA – October 26, 2010 the Delaware Riverkeeper Network sent the Philadelphia Gun Club a notification that if the facility did not stop violating the Clean Water Act with its annual live pigeon shoots that they would file a lawsuit on the matter.

The notice letter reads: “The PGC holds live pigeon shoots on its property adjoining the Delaware River at 3051 State Road, Bensalem, Pennsylvania, and has been doing so for well over one hundred years. During the course of these day-long shooting events, the PGC discharges and allows the discharge of pollutants (including, but not limited to, lead shot and fragments, steel shot and fragments and shot and fragments composed of other metals) into the Delaware River without a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit (“NPDES permit”) in violation of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (“Clean Water Act” or “CWA”) and Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Law.

Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper, said “the intentional and ongoing discharge of what amounts over time to large quantities of lead, steel and other shot into the Delaware River is a violation of law that has to stop, pure and simple.  Shooting over the River is also a safety hazard and a disturbance for those who are trying to enjoy this reach of the river for birding, boating, fishing or otherwise. Our hope is the Gun Club will do the right thing and stop their violations of the law by their own effort and choice, but if they don’t we are poised to take strong action.”

The Delaware Riverkeeper Network, a 501(c)(3) non-profit environmental organization, has been working since 1988 to protect and restore the Delaware River and all its tributaries.  DRN helps citizens address threats in their own communities; restore damaged streams, wetlands and ecosystems; collect water quality data needed to secure sound decision-making; and when necessary enforces environmental protection laws through legal action.

Contact:
Maya K. van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper  215 369 1188 ext 102

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