On August 31, 2016, Region 1 filed a consent agreement and final order (CAFO) resolving Clean Water Act violations against Foster Materials, Inc. for discharging process water from a settling pond into the Contoocook River without authorization. Foster Materials owns and operates a sand and gravel mine and production facility in Henniker, New Hampshire. As a part of the sand washing operation at the facility, Foster Materials operates three serial connected infiltration ponds. The material washing process creates water laden with dirt and fine sediment. The Region documented two instances where the company discharged sediment laden water into the river. Under the terms of the CAFO, the company has agreed to pay a $20,000 penalty. The case was initiated based on a tip from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services and the Region worked in close coordination with the State.