Construction Company Dumped Paint In Florham Park Wetlands: PD

FLORHAM PARK, NJ — A construction company owner has been charged with environmental crimes after allegedly dumping paint and other debris into a protected wetland area in Florham Park, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp said.

Robert Luis Benitez, 46, of Union, owns RLB Construction & Investments, officials said. He is accused of dumping exterior siding, paint cans, tile, boxes, flooring and other construction related materials in the area of Route 24, Knapp said. Over two tons and 10 cubic yards of waste were dumped, Knapp said.

The area of Route 24 is considered a Wetland Transition Zone within the Fresh Water Wetlands Protection Act, as well as a Riparian Zone within the Flood Hazard Area Control Act.

Benitez has been charged with unlawful disposal of transportation of solid waste, violation of the Freshwater Protection Act, and improper discharge in violation of the Flood Hazard Area Control Act.

He was released pending an upcoming court date.