WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced April 2 that U.S. Steel Corporation will settle allegations of contaminating waterways that flow into Lake Michigan in violation of the Clean Water Act.
“We are pleased that U. S. Steel has agreed to take the appropriate measures to protect and restore the waterways that were harmed by its spill that occurred in April 2017,” Thomas L. Kirsch II, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, said in a statement. “This settlement is a win for the people of Indiana, and we are happy to have worked with our state and federal partners to achieve this result.”
According the Justice Department, an April 2017 wastewater spill allowed hexavalent chromium to enter waterways that flowed into Lake Michigan. To resolve the allegations, U.S. Steel will pay a $600,000 civil penalty and reimburse the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Park Service (NPS) for response costs.
“EPA is committed to fostering strong partnerships to achieve water quality goals,” Susan Bodine, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, said in a statement. “I am pleased that through the coordinated effort of federal and state agencies, and with the cooperation of U. S. Steel, this settlement will help protect Lake Michigan and Indiana waterways.”