EPA v. SOUNDVIEW PAPER COMPANY

Case summary

On November 8, 2024, EPA and Soundview Paper Company (Soundview) entered into an agreement to resolve alleged violations of Sections 301(a), 311(b)(3), and 311(j) of the Clean Water Act (CWA). This case resolves violations stemming from a November 2, 2023 fuel oil spill into surface waters from the Soundview papermill in Putney, Vermont, the company's failure to comply with the Oil Pollution Prevention regulations and failure to comply with its State of Vermont National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit. EPA alleged that the company released nearly 3,000 gallons of heating oil into Sackett's Brook which flowed into the Connecticut River. Under the Consent Agreement and Final Order, the company will pay a $177,759 penalty. The Company has spent more than $1 million to address the November 2023 discharge and announced the papermill's closure shortly after the spill, citing high operational costs. EPA worked in close coordination with Vermont's Department of Environmental Conservation in developing this case.

Defendants (1)

• Soundview Paper Co.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• SOUNDVIEW PAPER COMPANY

  1 MILL STREET, PUTNEY, VT, 05346

  Registry ID: 110071542765

• SOUNDVIEW PAPER MILL

  1 MILL STREET, PUTNEY, VT, 15346

  Registry ID: 110071542765

Statutes cited

• CWA 301/402 — NPDES Permit Violations
• CWA 311J — SPCC and/or Federal Response Plan Violations
• CWA 311B — Oil & Hazardous Substances Discharge

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• SOUNDVIEW PAPER COMPANYentered 2024-11-08

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $177,759

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2024-11-08Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2024-11-08Final Order Issued
• 2024-11-15Enforcement Action Data Entered