All News Releases By Date

EPA settles with Buckingham Coal Co. for filling in streams

Release Date: 08/28/2006
Contact Information: Phillippa Cannon, (312) 353-6218, [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 06 - OPA154

CHICAGO (Aug. 28, 2006) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has settled with Buckingham Coal Co. of Gloucester, Ohio, for filling in several streams without first obtaining the necessary federal permits. The company has agreed to pay a $73,500 penalty. In addition, under a separate agreement, it must apply for after-the-fact permits and correct the effects of the alleged violations, including restoring twice as much length of streambeds as were affected. Under the Clean Water Act, a permit is required to discharge pollutants into or fill in waters of the United States.

EPA alleged that at various times during 2005, Buckingham Coal used trucks and heavy equipment to deposit materials in streams near its mines in Monroe Township, Perry County, Ohio, without having received necessary permits under the Clean Water Act. The materials included rock, sandstone and fill.