EPA v. TETRA TECHNOLOGIES, INC

Case summary

THE REFERRAL IS TO REQUEST DOJ REPRESENTATION IN THE SETTLEMENT OF A CIVIL PENALTY FOR THE DISCHARGE OF A HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE, ZINC BROMIDE, FROM A BARGE OWNED BY TETRA TECHNOLOGIES, INC., INTO THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, NEAR MEMPHIS, TN. THE REGION ENGAGED IN PRE-REFERRAL NEGOTIATIONS AND REACHED AN AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE. THE REFERRAL DOES NOT SEEK INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. 4/5/11 - THE U.S. FILED A COMPLAINT TO SEEK CIVIL PENALTIES FOR THE DISCHARGE OF A HARMFUL QUANTITY OF A HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE, ZINC BROMIDE, INTO THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, A NAVAGABLE WATER OF THE U.S., UNDER CWA 311(b)(7). THE DISCHARGE OCCURRED ON OR ABOUT MARCH 11, 2009, AT OR AROUND 727.4 MILE MARKER OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. JOINTLY WITH THE COMPLAINT, THE U.S. FILED A JOINT STIPULATION OF SETTLEMENT UNDER WHICH TETRA TECHNOLOGIES AGREED TO PAY $487,000 IN CIVIL PENALTIES. 4/29/11 - The U.S. and Tetra Technologies, Inc. reached a settlement for civil penalties under Section 311(b)(7) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) for Tetra Technology’s discharge of a harmful quantity of a hazardous substance, zinc bromide, into the Mississippi River, a navigable water of the U.S. The discharge occurred on or around March 11, 2009, at or around mile marker 727.4 of the Mississippi River. The U.S. filed a joint stipulation of settlement on April 5, 2011, under which Tetra Technologies agreed to pay $487,000 in civil penalties.

Defendants (1)

• TETRA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• SPILL - TETRA TECHNOLOGIES, INC - BARGE # TTI160

  MILE MARKER 727.4 MISSISSIPPI RIVER, MEMPHIS, TN, 00000

  Registry ID: 110043708011

Statutes cited

• CWA 311B — Oil & Hazardous Substances Discharge

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• TETRA TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (04-2011-C014)entered 2011-04-28

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $487,000

Timeline (7 milestones)

• 2010-07-26Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2010-08-30Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2011-04-05Complaint Filed With Court
• 2011-04-05Final Order Lodged
• 2011-04-28Final Order Entered
• 2011-04-28Concluded
• 2011-06-10Enforcement Action Closed