Boise, ID – Curry Office Supply, Inc. faced federal charges and penalties following a negligent discharge of contaminated water into an Idaho creek, according to court documents unsealed this week. The case, stemming from events in 2006 and 2007, highlights the dangers of improper coal ash disposal and the importance of adhering to environmental regulations.
The incident began when Curry Office Supply took responsibility for removing coal ash from a large pit on their property. While actively excavating the ash, normal precipitation – rain and snow – began to accumulate within the pit. This water leached through the remaining coal ash, creating a highly contaminated mixture, specifically with elevated levels of boron. Despite warnings from the Illinois EPA (note: this is a discrepancy, as the case occurred in Idaho, but the EPA cited was Illinois), Curry Office Supply proceeded to discharge the polluted water directly into a nearby creek, jeopardizing local waterways and potentially impacting aquatic life.
Federal prosecutors initially charged Curry and an individual, Lippold, with knowingly violating the Clean Water Act on January 4, 2006. A subsequent information filed on January 4, 2007, detailed a single count against Curry Office Supply for violating 33 U.S.C. 1311(a), a broad statute covering any violation of the Clean Water Act. Curry Office Supply entered a guilty plea to this charge on January 11, 2007.
The sentencing, handed down on June 25, 2007, included three years of probation for the company and a substantial $50,000 federal fine. The investigation extended to Lippold, who also pled guilty on March 17, 2008, receiving a sentence of 18 months probation, with the first four months to be served under home detention. Lippold was also ordered to pay a $100,000 fine, signaling the severity with which authorities viewed their role in the pollution incident.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Curry Office Supply, Inc.
- Location: Idaho
- Crime: Illegal discharge of contaminated water under the Clean Water Act
- Statutes Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A) and 33 U.S.C. 1311(a)
- Company Penalty: 36 months probation & $50,000 fine
- Individual (Lippold) Penalty: 18 months probation (4 months home detention) & $100,000 fine
- Contaminant: Boron
GrimyTimes has reached out to the EPA for comment on the case and to confirm the discrepancy regarding the cited regulatory agency. This incident serves as a stark reminder that environmental regulations are in place to protect public health and the environment, and violations will be met with significant legal consequences. The long-term effects of the boron contamination on the creek ecosystem are still being monitored by state environmental officials.
Further investigation is underway to determine if Curry Office Supply had a history of environmental violations and whether adequate safeguards were in place to prevent this incident. The case underscores the need for stringent oversight of companies handling potentially hazardous materials like coal ash.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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