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MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced a $300,000 judgment on Tuesday against a Clark County dairy producer that allegedly discharged water pollutants in excess of its permit.
Grassland Dairy Products Inc. operates its business subject to a Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permit. Grassland's WPDES permit allows it to discharge 82.6 pounds of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) per day and requires it to measure and report daily levels of BOD. Excess BOD levels can result in harm for nearby aquatic life.
Grassland allegedly violated its WPDES permit 119 times by exceeding permitted BOD levels. While Grassland was required to report excess BOD to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) within 24 hours, the company allegedly only reported the heightened BOD levels three times to the DNR.
Grassland brought its wastewater system into compliance with the terms of its WPDES permit in October.
“Wastewater permits are an important safeguard to prevent contamination of our valuable natural resources," Van Hollen said. "Such permits must be adhered to, and violations will be enforced."
Under the terms of the judgment, Grassland must pay $300,000 to the state. Grassland also agreed to pay $1,200 for any instances of exceeding its permit between July 16 and July 15, 2015.