EPA v. MR. RICHARD LEWIS

Case summary

Respondent is an individual which operated an oil lease in Osage County, Oklahoma. Respondent violated Underground Injection Control (UIC)regulations promulgated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The regulations require Respondent to plug inactive injection wells within one year after termination of injection operations. Respondent failed to plug an injection well on lease terminated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs within the prescribed time. Other regulations prohibit maintenance of an injection well in a manner which could allow fluids containing contaminants to flow through the well bore into underground sources of drinking water. Respondent is maintaining the injection well with a static fluid level above the base of underground sources of drinking water. This could allow fluids to move through the well bore into underground sources of drinking water. This AO requires Respondent to submit the required annual operation reports.

Defendants (1)

• MR. RICHARD LEWISNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• OS0109 - WELL NO. 1B (S)

  SW/4, SEC. 20, T 25N, R 5E, BURBANK, OK, 74633

  Registry ID: 110013705909

Statutes cited

• SDWA 1421 — UIC Regulations
• SDWA 1422/1423 — UIC Regulations Classes I - V

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• 06-2003-1102entered 2002-11-04

  Primary law: SDWA

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2002-11-04Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2002-11-04Final Order Issued
• 2002-12-10Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2003-04-14Enforcement Action Closed