EPA v. GULF CHEMICAL

Case summary

NATURE OF THE CASE: GULF CHEMICAL & METALLURGICAL CO. (GCMC) A DIVISION OF ASSOCIATED METALS & MINERALS CORP. OPERATES A CATALYST RECYCLING PLANT. THE FACILITY IS IN SIGNIFICANT NONCOMPLIANCE WITH EFFLUENTS FOR AMMONIA AND TSS AT OUTFALL 001. EPA MET WITH GCMC ON 4/25/84. THE COMPANY STATED IT HAD INSTALLED A TEMPORARY CARBON ABSORPTION UNIT TO REDUCE THE METALS CONCENTRATIONS AND SUBMITTED A CRITICAL PATH SCHED- ULE THAT GAVE 7/14/84 AS THE DATE THE REBUILT SOLVENT EX- TRACTION SYSTEM WOULD BE ON-LINE. THE LITIGATION REPORT, WITH A PROPOSED CONSENT DECREE, WAS REFERRED TO HDQTRS. 9/28/84. REFERRED TO DOJ 11/5/84. 05/19/86: CONF CALL SCHEDULED FOR 5/1/86 W/DOJ & HQ REGARD- ING SETTLEMENT TERMS TO BE OFFERED TO GULF. BOTTOM LINE IS $200,000.

Defendants (2)

• ASSOCIATED METALS & MINERALS CORPORATIONNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• GULF CHEMICAL & METALLURGICAL COMPANYNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• GULF CHEMICAL & MET DIVISION OF ASSOC MET & MIN

  302 MIDWAY ROAD, FREEPORT, TX, 77541

  Registry ID: 110000619590

Statutes cited

• CWA 402 — Clean Water Act
• CWA 309 — Violation of Existing AO
• CWA 301 — NPDES Discharge without a Permit

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• ASSOCIATED METAL AND MINERALSentered 1988-02-18

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $230,000

Timeline (8 milestones)

• 1984-09-28Referred To Headquarters
• 1984-12-10Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1984-12-31Referred TO U.S. Attorney
• 1985-01-15Complaint Filed With Court
• 1988-02-18Final Order Lodged
• 1988-02-18Final Order Entered
• 1988-02-18Concluded
• 1988-02-18Enforcement Action Closed