Press Release - Wednesday, September 28, 2005
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Illinois EPA issues Notice of Violation to Nicor Gas for illegal discharges
SPRINGFIELD -- A notice of violation of the state's Environmental Protection Act has been sent to Nicor Gas in Naperville, after Illinois EPA inspections revealed violations of laws designed to protect the public and the environment from harmful discharges into waterways.
The alleged violations were revealed during Illinois EPA inspections on September 14 and 16, and examinations of Nicor's pollution prevention plan and their handling of the materials that were discharged into the environment. The inspections were conducted in response to complaints from citizens in the area and local officials.
The alleged violations took place at the Nicor gas main drilling site in Cuba Township, Lake County, where Nicor had apparently allowed a discharge of drilling fluid mixture and additives discharged into waters of the state during the weekend of September 9 and 10. The discharges were also evident in nearby a fish hatchery in the Fox River watershed. On September 16th, a second discharge of the same contaminated material occurred in wetlands in the Fox River watershed.
A follow-up investigation on September 19th confirmed violations of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System due to an inefficient Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan, as well as failure to implement the plan.
The alleged violators will have 45 days to respond to the Violation Notice. During that time, they have the opportunity document that the charges are not valid, or demonstrate to the Illinois EPA how they will resolve the violation through a proposed Compliance Commitment Agreement. The Illinois EPA would have to concur with the Agreement.
The Illinois EPA's Des Plaines Regional Office will continue oversight in order to ensure compliance with state and federal laws.
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