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The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (“LDEQ”) and Reliable Soil Co., (“Reliable”) entered into a Settlement addressing alleged violations of an LPDES Multi-Sector General Permit. See SA-WE-22-0017.

The Settlement provides that Reliable owns and/or operates a wood chipping facility (“Facility”) that produces mulch and other soils located in Kenner, Louisiana.

Reliable is stated to have been granted authorization under LPDES Multi-Sector General Permit LAR051340. The Multi-Sector General Permit authorizes discharge of stormwater associated with industrial activity into Lake Pontchartrain.

The Settlement references an inspection that was conducted on July 25, 2019, and lists certain alleged violations which include:

• Failure to implement all portions of the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
• Cause and/or allow the discharge of stormwater which changed the aesthetics of the receiving water
• Failure to implement the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan and conduct and document routine Facility quarterly inspections
• Failure to review the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan within the last five years

Reliable denies it committed any violations or that it is liable for any fines, forfeitures and/or penalties.

The Settlement assesses a penalty of $4,000.

A copy of the Settlement can be downloaded here.