[StBernard] Six Louisiana Companies Fined for Violating the Clean Water Act

[Westley Annis]

Six Louisiana Companies Fined for Violating the Clean Water Act 

  

(Dallas, Texas - August 5, 2009)  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
has fined six Louisiana companies for violating federal Spill Prevention,
Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations outlined under the federal
Clean Water Act.  

  

Federal inspections of the bulk storage facilities in May 2009 revealed a
variety of violations though the violations differed at each facility.  As
an example:  No SPCC plans were available, facilities were not fully fenced
and entrance gates were not locked or guarded when sites were unattended,
and containment systems, including walls and floors were not sufficient to
contain oil spills.  Mobile or portable storage containers were not
positioned to prevent discharged oil from reaching waterways, spill
prevention briefings were not scheduled and conducted periodically, and SPCC
plans had inadequate or no discussion of facility security.  The inspections
also revealed plans were inadequate or did not discuss facility transfer
operations and pumping, no training on the operation and maintenance of
equipment to prevent discharges, no training on discharge procedure
protocols, and no training on applicable pollution control laws, rules and
regulations. 

  

The companies inspected and fined were: 

  

A-1 Electrical Contractors, Inc., 2783 Lapalco Boulevard, Harvey LA, $1,350 

Joe's Landing, 4811 Privateer Boulevard, Barataria LA, $1,100 

Salty's Marina, 117 Highway 22 East, Madisonville LA, $850 

Southern Seaplane, Inc., #1 Cogville Drive, Belle Chasse LA, $700 

Westwego Export Terminal, 933 River Road, Westwego LA, $700 

Stanco, Inc., Vehicle Maintenance Yard, 70459 Highway 59, Abita Springs LA,
$650 

  

As part of an Expedited Settlement Agreement with EPA, the companies have
provided certification that all deficiencies have been corrected. 

  

Additional information on SPCC regulations is available at
http://www.epa.gov/oilspill <http://www.epa.gov/oilspill>  

  

More about activities in EPA Region 6:  http://www/epa.gov/region6
<http://www/epa.gov/region6>  

  

EPA audio file is available at
http://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/podcast/aug2009/html
<http://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/podcast/aug2009/html>  

  

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