EPA Settles Clean Water Act Violations in Arkansas

EPA Press Release:

EPA Settles Clean Water Act Violations in Arkansas 

DALLAS (OCT. 31, 2013) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it has entered into a consent agreement and final order (CAFO) with Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation to resolve violations involving 820 barrels of crude oil released on Sept. 23, 2012, in Ouachita County, Ark.

The settlement requires Whiting Oil and Gas to pay a civil penalty of $58,570 to the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. On the date of the incident, Whiting Oil and Gas reported the crude oil release to EPA. The release impacted Smackover Creek and adjoining shorelines. Erosion in the bank caused the fracture in the pipeline that led to the creek’s tributary. 

The Clean Water Act makes it unlawful to discharge oil or hazardous substances into or upon the navigable waters of the United States or adjoining shorelines in quantities that may be harmful to the environment or public health. The penalty paid for this spill will be deposited in the federal Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund managed by the National Pollution Fund Center. The Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund is used to pay for federal response activities and to compensate for damages when there is a discharge or substantial threat of discharge of oil or hazardous substances to waters of the United States or adjoining shorelines.

For more information on the effects and cleanups of oil spills, visit: http://www.epa.gov/oilspill

More about activities in EPA Region 6:  http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html

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