Syracuse, NY – Frazer & Jones Company, a ductile and malleable iron foundry operating in Syracuse, New York, has been sentenced following a guilty plea to charges of illegally discharging pollutants into a tributary of Geddes Brook. The case, brought forward by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), highlights a pattern of improper wastewater disposal that violated federal environmental regulations.
According to court documents, the company knowingly discharged wastewater containing hazardous levels of formaldehyde and phenols – both classified as pollutants under the Clean Water Act – directly into the waterway. This discharge occurred over an unspecified period, impacting the local ecosystem and potentially posing risks to public health. The EPA’s investigation revealed a systemic failure to adhere to established environmental protocols for wastewater management.
The sentencing, handed down in March 2009, included a substantial $250,000 federal fine and a two-year probationary period. However, the financial penalties extend beyond the initial fine. Frazer & Jones was also mandated to allocate significant funds towards remediation and preventative measures. Specifically, $64,500 was due immediately, while $30,000 was earmarked for the development of a comprehensive environmental compliance plan. Further allocations of $50,000, $15,000, and $70,000 were designated for air emission evaluation and control, stormwater/wastewater discharge assessment and control, and a hydrogeologic investigative workplan, respectively. An additional $20,000 civil fine was levied by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Individual Accountability
The EPA’s investigation didn’t stop at the corporate level. Jeffrey Getman, identified as the individual responsible for environmental issues at the Frazer & Jones facility, was also held accountable for the violations. Getman pled guilty to a misdemeanor violation of the Clean Water Act and was sentenced to pay a $2,500 federal fine.
Legal Framework & Violations
The case hinged on violations of the Clean Water Act, specifically 33 U.S.C. 1319(a)(1)(A), pertaining to knowingly violating effluent limitations, and 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2), which addresses knowing violations of the CWA. Getman’s charge fell under 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A), covering negligent violations. Prosecutors argued that Frazer & Jones demonstrated a deliberate disregard for environmental regulations, while Getman’s negligence contributed to the unlawful discharge.
Looking Ahead
The EPA’s enforcement action serves as a stark reminder to industrial facilities of the importance of adhering to environmental regulations. The combination of corporate fines and individual accountability underscores the agency’s commitment to protecting waterways and holding polluters responsible for their actions. The mandated environmental compliance plan and investigative workplans are intended to ensure that Frazer & Jones implements lasting changes to prevent future violations.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Frazer & Jones Company
- Location: Syracuse, New York
- Crime: Illegal discharge of pollutants (formaldehyde and phenols) into Geddes Brook tributary
- Statutes Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319(a)(1)(A), 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)
- Corporate Fine: $250,000
- Corporate Probation: 2 years
- Individual Defendant: Jeffrey Getman
- Individual Fine: $2,500
- Additional Remediation Costs: $189,500 (allocated to compliance plans, emissions evaluation, stormwater assessment, and hydrogeologic investigation)
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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