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EPA Settles Clean Water Case Against Garden State Tanning

Release Date: 4/15/1999
Contact Information: Donna M. Heron (215) 814-5113

Williamsport, Md. - Garden State Tanning (GST), of Williamsport, Md., has agreed to pay a $54,900 penalty for violating the Clean Water Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced.

EPA cited GST last August for Clean Water Act permit violations at the company’s cattle hide chrome tanning and finishing plant at 312 W. Conococheague St. in Williamsport. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) also brought an action against GST for violations of Maryland water law. The facility discharges into the Potomac River.

According to the complaints, GST exceeded permit limits for fecal coliform, ammonia and chlorine, used improper analytical procedures and failed to maintain its treatment equipment (including a diffuser through which GST discharged effluent) in good working order. EPA’s complaint also alleged that GST unlawfully diverted its effluent to an unpermitted former discharge point into the Conococheague Creek.

"The successful outcome of this case is a result of the cooperative efforts of the state and EPA in safeguarding the quality of Maryland’s waterways," said EPA Regional Administrator W. Michael McCabe.

MDE is currently finalizing its settlement negotiations with the company.

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