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N.J. Man of W. VA. Company Pleads to Clean Water Violation

Release Date: 01/08/2003
Contact Information:


Luke C. Hester 202-564-7818/[email protected]
Teresa Libera 202-564-7873/[email protected]

(01/08/03) Independence Coal Co. Inc., and Omar Mining Co. Inc., both subsidiaries of Massey Coal Co. Inc., operating in Boone County, W.Va., pleaded guilty on Dec. 16 to negligently violating the Clean Water Act (CWA). Independence violated its CWA discharge permit by allowing a leaky pump in its coal preparation plant to discharge wastewater containing elevated levels of solids into Robinson Creek in June 2001. Omar allowed water containing elevated levels of solids and manganese from its stormwater control pond to be discharged into Robinson Creek in August 2001. These levels were above those allowed in Omar’s CWA discharge permit. The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s office in Charleston.