EPA v. COLUMBIA NATURAL RESOURCES

Case summary

On June30, 2005, Region III issued an Administrative Complaint against Columbia Natural Resources LLC , (���Columbia���), pertaining to a violation of Section 311(b)(3) of the Clean Water Act, as amended, (���CWA���), 33 U.S.C. ��1321(b)(3). The violation occurred as a result of an overflow of a crude oil storage tank owned and operated by Columbia near the town of Smithfield, Ritchie County, West Virginia on November 22, 2004. As a result of this spill, approximately 3 barrels of crude oil entered a tributary of Wolfpen Fork. The Administrative Complaint was issued pursuant to Section 311(b)(6)(B)(i) of the CWA, 33 U.S.C. ��1321(b)(6)(B)(i), and proposed an aggregate Class I penalty of $3,437.50. Pursuant to Section 311(b)(6)(B)(i) of the Act and 40 C.F.R. �� 19.4, Columbia is liable for civil penalties of up to $11,000 per violation, up to a maximum of $32,500.

Defendants (1)

• COLUMBIA NATURAL RESOURCESNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• COLUMBIA NATURAL RESOURCES

  900 PENNSYLVANIA AVE, CHARLESTON, WV, 25302

  Registry ID: 110010718063

Statutes cited

• CWA 311B — Oil & Hazardous Substances Discharge

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• COLUMBIA NATURAL RESOURCESentered 2005-08-02

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $3,438

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2005-06-30Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2005-07-01Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2005-08-02Final Order Issued