An estimated $210 million in environmental benefits was achieved through compliance and enforcement actions taken by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Region 7 office during fiscal year 2007. These actions prevented more than 51 million lb of pollution from being released to the environment. Region 7 includes Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.
Region 7 Administrator John B. Askew highlighted the importance of actions in the region's four states. "These actions are significant not just because of the dollar amounts involved but because of their contributions to protecting human health and the environment."
Region 7 also reached voluntary agreements with violators to undertake 18 supplemental environmental projects as part of settlements, accounting for an additional $647,000 in benefits. Those agreements are for projects in addition to actions to correct any violations. The region worked with more than 16,000 regulated entities through its compliance assistance activities. "We are committed to firm and fair enforcement and compliance," Askew said.
EPA's enforcement program achieved historic results to protect the nation's air, water and land in fiscal year 2007. Industries, government agencies and other regulated entities agreed to spend a record $10.6 billion in pollution controls and environmental projects, exceeding the previous record of $10.2 billion set in 2005.
Three major Iowa cases contributed to these results: a consent decree with Agriprocessors, Inc., Postville, Iowa; an illegal discharge issue with eight open cattle feedlots in the western part of the state; and a sewer repair project in the city of Muscatine, Iowa.
Two major Kansas cases contributed to these results as well: a multistate Clean Air Act settlement with Bunge North America Inc. and 30 Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Rule noncompliance fines.
Five major Missouri cases contributed to these results: a lead control agreement with Doe Run Transportation Co.; an illegal waste handling settlement with HPI Products Inc.; the implementation of a strict construction site compliance and pollution cleanup program for J.H. Berra Construction Co. and several related area developers; sediment control agreements with THF Grindstone Development LLC/Emergy Sapp & Sons and The Links at Columbia L.P.; and the addressing of chronic wet weather sewer discharge problems in four Missouri municipal wastewater treatment plants.
Two major Nebraska cases contributed to these results: a $1.05 million Clean Water Act settlement with M.G. Waldbaum Co. and the establishment of environmental damage mitigation plans for the Nebraska Department of Roads and two of its contractors.
Source: U.S. EPA
