EPA v. Dutra Dredging

Case summary

This is an Administrative Penalty action (APO) pursuant to MPRSA issued to Dutra Dredging Company. The violation involves unauthorized disposal of dredged material. After reviewing trip disposal data, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) discovered that the company leaked or dumped dredged material from its disposal vessels over 200 times from 1999 through 2003, while en route to a deep ocean disposal site 55 miles offshore of San Francisco. In settlement, Dutra has agreed to pay a $450,000 penalty and fund NOAA projects to protect and restore the natural environment of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.

Defendants (1)

• Dutra Dredging CompanyNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• DUTRA OCEAN DUMP SITE #1

  OFFSHORE APPROX 49 MILES NW OF SAN FRANCISCO, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 94105

  Registry ID: 110010677151

Statutes cited

• MPRSA 101A — Mar. Prot, Res & Sanc Act

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Dutra Dredgingentered 2006-08-10

  Primary law: MPRSA

  Federal penalty: $450,000

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2006-08-10Enforcement Action Closed
• 2006-08-10Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2006-08-10Final Order Issued
• 2006-10-01Enforcement Action Data Entered