EPA v. JAMES ROBERSON DBA ROBERSON ENTERPRISES

Case summary

SECTION 309 OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT, 33 U.S.C. SECTION 1319. DISCHARGING POLLUTANTS IN VIOLATION OF NPDES PERMIT. SETTLEMENT IN THE FORM OF A CONSENT DECREE. CIVIL PENALTY IN THE AMOUNT OF $48,000 AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF AS FOLLOWS. 1. IMMEDIATELY CEASE ALL UNPERMITTED DISCHARGES FROM THE FACILITY. 2. SUBMIT AN APPLICATION PRIOR TO DISCHARGING. IF THE COMPANY ANTICIPATES ANY DISCHARGE. * * SYNOPSIS OF THE CASE: ROBERSON OWNS AND OPERATES A TOTAL OF 17 OIL/GAS WELLS IN FT. LYNN FIELDS, MILLER CTY, ARK WITH 6 LOCATED IN THE SULPHUR RIVER WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA. A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM WELL SITES IS BELOW. * THE MAJORITY OF THE DISCHARGES OCCURRED BECAUSE ROBERSON FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE FREEBOARD AROUND THE SALTWATER OIL PITS. DURING HEAVY RAIN OR OCCASIONAL DISCHARGES FROM STORAGE TANKS TO THE ITS, SALTWATER AND CRUDE OVERTOPPED THE PITS AND FLOWED INTO NEARBY WATERBODIES. ALSO, AN EMERGENCY OVERFLOW PIPE ON A HEARTER TREATER WAS ROUTINELY OPENED TO ALLOW WASHDOWN WATER TO FLOW OUT AND GET IN THE WATER SYS- TEM.

Defendants (1)

• JAMES ROBERSON DBA ROBERSON ENTERPRISESNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• ROBERSON ENTERPRISES

  HWY 71 N, TEXARKANA, AR, 71854

  Registry ID: 110010772976

Statutes cited

• CWA 309 — Violation of Existing AO

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• ROBERSON ENTERPRISES, INC.entered 1990-02-02

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $20,000

Timeline (9 milestones)

• 1985-09-03Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 1985-09-03Referred To Headquarters
• 1985-10-24Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1987-05-08Referred TO U.S. Attorney
• 1987-05-11Complaint Filed With Court
• 1990-02-02Concluded
• 1990-02-02Enforcement Action Closed
• 1990-02-02Final Order Lodged
• 1990-02-02Final Order Entered