The Sierra Club, Inc. has taken legal action against two companies for allegedly violating environmental laws by discharging polluted stormwater into U.S. waters. On January 6, 2026, the Sierra Club filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York against Patriot Recycling LLC and Framitz Incorporated. The lawsuit accuses these companies of continuous violations of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, commonly known as the Clean Water Act.
According to the complaint, the defendants operate a waste recycling facility at 3631 Hampton Road in Oceanside, New York. The Sierra Club alleges that these companies have been discharging polluted stormwater runoff into Hog Island Channel, part of the Atlantic-Long Island Sound Drainage Basin, without proper authorization and in violation of sections 301(a) and 402(p) of the Clean Water Act. The organization claims that this runoff includes harmful pollutants such as metals and solids that are not adequately controlled or treated before being released into public waterways.
The Sierra Club's lawsuit highlights several specific allegations against Patriot Recycling LLC and Framitz Incorporated. These include insufficient pollution control measures, failure to take corrective actions when pollution levels exceeded legal limits, inadequate stormwater pollution prevention plans, and non-compliance with inspection and reporting requirements outlined in their permits. The plaintiff argues that these ongoing violations contribute significantly to water pollution problems in New York Harbor and surrounding areas.
The environmental group is seeking declaratory and injunctive relief from the court to address these issues. They request that the court order the defendants to comply with all applicable environmental regulations and permit conditions immediately. Additionally, they seek civil penalties for each day of violation as permitted under federal law—up to $68,445 per day per violation.
Representing Sierra Club in this case are attorneys from various law firms specializing in environmental litigation. The case is assigned Case ID No. 2:26-cv-00065 and will be presided over by judges from the Eastern District of New York.
Source: 226cv00065_Sierra_Club_Inc_v_Patriot_Recycling_LLC_Complaint_Eastern_District_New_York.pdf