Meritage Resort fined for erosion

The new Meritage Resort has to pay $3,000 in fines for failing to control erosion this past winter, the Napa City Council voted Tuesday.

Public works staff said Pacific Hospitality Group failed to take timely corrective action when deficiencies were pointed out. The hotel is located at the south end of Napa Valley Corporate Park.

Sean Kirwan, the hotel's vice president of development, said he spent $48,000 on compliance, but the rain had been too intense to fully control the situation.

Staff had recommended $4,000 in civil penalties. The council voted 3-1 to reduce the fines to $3,000. Martin wanted the full $4,000 penalty.

The city is under pressure from the Regional Water Quality Control Board to enforce its Stormwater Runoff Pollution Control Ordinance, said Graham Wadsworth, the city's senior civil engineer./Register

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