NY Sues Harbourview Realty to Stop Pollution Discharges

NY DEC Press Releases

Filed March 2nd, 2026

Detected March 3rd, 2026

Summary

New York State agencies have filed a lawsuit against Harbourview Realty LLC to halt alleged illegal pollution discharges into Hempstead Bay. The suit seeks injunctive relief to stop the unpermitted discharges and civil penalties for violations of the Clean Water Act.

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What changed

New York State, through the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Attorney General's office, has filed a lawsuit against Harbourview Realty LLC, MRL Realty Corp., and Mary Hauptman concerning alleged illegal pollution discharges from the Harbourview Shoppes in Roslyn, New York. The complaint alleges violations of the Clean Water Act, specifically citing unpermitted discharges of grease, oils, foam, suds, fecal coliform, bacteria, and contaminated surface runoff into a municipal storm sewer system that ultimately affects Hempstead Bay water quality. The state is seeking immediate injunctive relief to cease these activities and civil penalties.

This enforcement action requires Harbourview Realty and associated parties to immediately cease all illegal discharges. The lawsuit aims to bring the facility into compliance with environmental regulations, including obtaining necessary permits. Regulated entities, particularly those in New York discharging into storm sewer systems, should review their own discharge practices and permit compliance to avoid similar enforcement actions. Failure to comply could result in significant civil penalties.

What to do next

Review all current discharge permits and practices for compliance with the Clean Water Act.
Cease any unpermitted discharges of pollutants into storm sewer systems.
Consult legal counsel regarding potential liability and remediation steps if similar violations are identified.

Penalties

Civil penalties

Source document (simplified)

March 02, 2026

DEC Commissioner Lefton and Attorney General James Take Enforcement to Protect Hempstead Bay

Lawsuit Filed to Stop Pollution Discharges from Harbourview Shoppes in Roslyn

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton and New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against Harbourview Realty LLC to force the company to stop discharging pollutants that are affecting Long Island water quality. In the complaint New York State alleges the company is violating the Clean Water Act and is seeking an immediate cease to illegal activities, as well as civil penalties.

“DEC is committed to holding polluters accountable,” said DEC Commissioner Lefton. “The facility's ongoing noncompliance with environmental law required immediate action to protect local residents and the environment. I am grateful to Attorney General James for partnering with DEC on this case to immediately end the ongoing contamination of the Roslyn community.”

“Clean water is a basic right for every New Yorker," said Attorney General James. "For too long, Harbourview Shoppes has polluted Hempstead Bay with illegal discharge, putting families and communities in Roslyn at risk and violating our environmental laws. I am proud to partner with DEC to fight this unlawful pollution and protect Long Island’s waters."

The ongoing pollution being discharged from Harbourview Shoppes in the Village of Roslyn, Nassau County, to the municipal storm sewer is negatively impacting Hempstead Bay water quality and is in direct violation of the Clean Water Act.

New York State, along with the United States ~~A~~ ttorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, are taking joint civil action against Harbourview Realty LLC, MRL Realty Corp., and Mary Hauptman, as owners and/or operators of Harbourview Shoppes. The lawsuit is seeking injunctive relief to eliminate illegal, unpermitted discharges, including contaminants, to the municipal storm sewer system and civil penalties for discharging pollutants into waters of the United States.

DEC’s investigation discovered illegal, unpermitted discharges from Harbourview Shoppes’ on-site French drain system that captures the Shoppes’ grease, oils, foam, suds, fecal coliform, bacteria and contaminated surface runoff. Through illicit pipe connections, the system discharges from the shopping center to a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) owned and operated by Nassau County, which connects to a second MS4 owned and operated by the Village of Roslyn. Harbourview Shoppes does not have an approved State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permit or coverage under the General permit despite repeated attempts by DEC to bring the facility into compliance.

New York State will continue to closely monitor the facility, collect additional data, and hold the facility accountable for any and all violations that occur during this legal process.

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