Dover Chemical Corporation, Environmental Damage, Ohio 2024

Dover Chemical Corporation to Pay $1.73 Million for Environmental Damages

Grimy Times has learned that Dover Chemical Corporation has agreed to implement and fund natural resource restoration and protection projects to resolve alleged state and federal natural resource damages associated with the Dover Chemical Corporation Superfund Site and the surrounding natural resource damages assessment area in Dover, Ohio.

The proposed consent decree, lodged by the Justice Department on behalf of the Department of Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, together with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, the state of Ohio and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA), is related to a 2017 complaint. That action resulted in a 2018 decree that implemented the final Superfund remedial work at the Site and expressly reserved the right of Ohio and the United States to pursue compensation for natural resource damages.

The proposed decree addresses natural resource damages, with Dover Chemical Corporation agreeing to implement projects that will restore and protect 28.5 acres of wetlands in Stark County and protect 195 acres of riparian habitat in Tuscarawas, Jefferson, Columbiana, and/or Belmont counties. Dover Chemical Corporation will also pay $880,000 to the State of Ohio to fund projects near the Site to protect, restore, or enhance state ground water resources. Finally, Dover Chemical Corporation will pay for costs incurred by Ohio and the United States to assess injuries to natural resources associated with the Site, including approximately $648,000 for state assessment costs and $745,000 for federal assessment costs.

“Today’s consent decree is a milestone in our efforts to protect and restore our valuable natural resources in Dover, Ohio, and the surrounding area,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim.  “The Department of Justice will continue to vigorously pursue natural resource damage claims in cooperation with our state partners.”

“Ohio takes threats to our environment and natural resources seriously,” said Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. “This consent decree is good for the environment and good for the people of Tuscarawas County.”

The Dover Chemical Corporation Superfund Site has been in operation since 1951. The United States’ 2017 complaint alleged that operations at the plant have resulted in decades of releases of hazardous substances to the Site. Ohio EPA and the Fish and Wildlife Service are joint trustees for the biological and surface water resources impacted by contamination at the site, while Ohio EPA is the trustee for the ground water resource.

The proposed decree, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, resolves the United States’ and Ohio’s NRD allegations under Section 107 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act.

Mandatory Facts:

Defendant: Dover Chemical Corporation

Criminal Charges: Environmental Damage

City and State: Dover, Ohio

Exact Date: Not specified

Sentence or Outcome: Dover Chemical Corporation to pay $1,730,000 (including $1,088,000 in costs and $642,000 in project funding)

Dollar Amounts: $1,730,000 (total), $880,000 (project funding), $648,000 (state assessment costs), $745,000 (federal assessment costs)

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