LENEXA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s EPA Region 7 has reached a proposed settlement with Central Missouri AGRIService LLC after allegations of violating the Clean Water Act (CWA). The company will pay $166,914 in civil penalties.
The alleged violations occurred during the construction of a railroad track loop and grain loading facility in Marshall, Mo. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers notified EPA Region 7 in July 2015 that the defendants had allegedly discharged material during construction into wetlands and streams. To do so, Central Missouri AGRIServices need to have authorization under the CWA, but it failed to receive clearance, it is alleged.
The CWA exists to protect local streams and wetlands around the country from environmental harm that may come at the hands of waste and construction. The CWA mandates that companies have controls in place at their construction sites to limit pollution into nearby waterways.
Central Missouri AGRIService has taken the requisite steps to address the alleged violations. It is currently working with the Corps of Engineers to achieve CWA compliance at the site.
The settlement will go before public comment for 40 days before being finalized.