St. Rose, Louisiana – International Matex Tank Terminal (IMTT) faced federal charges and ultimately pled guilty to a Clean Water Act violation in February 2000, stemming from a deliberate scheme to falsify environmental monitoring data. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), revealed a systematic effort by IMTT employees to manipulate water sampling procedures at their St. Rose terminal, a facility dedicated to the bulk storage of liquid substances.
According to court documents, IMTT knowingly conducted permit monitoring and sampling at locations *not* authorized by their National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. These unlawfully prescribed locations were chosen to present a misleadingly accurate picture of the water quality being discharged from the IMTT-St. Rose facility into waterways connected to the United States. The improperly obtained samples were then submitted to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) as if they were legitimate and representative of the facility’s actual outfall.
The EPA’s investigation uncovered that this wasn’t a case of simple negligence, but a conscious decision made by IMTT personnel to circumvent environmental regulations. By manipulating the sampling process, the company attempted to conceal potential pollutants and avoid compliance with the Clean Water Act. The scheme aimed to create the illusion of adherence to environmental standards while potentially discharging harmful substances into the environment.
Legal Ramifications and Penalties
On February 3, 2000, IMTT was formally charged with one count of knowingly violating section 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A) of the Clean Water Act. Just weeks later, on February 23, 2000, the company entered a guilty plea. The sentencing reflected the severity of the offense, with IMTT ordered to pay a total of $800,000 in fines and restitution.
The $800,000 was distributed as follows: $50,000 went to the Louisiana State Police, $150,000 to the Southern Environmental Enforcement Network (SEEN), another $50,000 to the LDEQ, and $150,000 to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Fund. Beyond the financial penalties, IMTT was mandated to undergo annual audits conducted by an independent environmental firm. Furthermore, the company was required to implement an annual training program for its employees, focused on ensuring compliance with all applicable environmental laws.
Future Oversight
The case highlights the importance of rigorous environmental monitoring and the potential consequences of falsifying data. The ongoing annual audits and employee training requirements are intended to prevent future violations and ensure IMTT operates in accordance with environmental regulations. The EPA continues to pursue enforcement actions against companies that prioritize profit over environmental protection, sending a clear message that such actions will not be tolerated.
Key Facts
- Defendant: International Matex Tank Terminal (IMTT)
- Crime: Clean Water Act Violation
- Location: St. Rose, Louisiana
- Year: 2000
- Statutes Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A) – knowingly violates the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1311(a))
- Penalties: $400,000 in federal fines, $400,000 in restitution (distributed to various agencies), annual independent environmental audits, and annual employee training.
- Method of Violation: Knowingly conducting water sampling at unlawfully prescribed locations and submitting falsified data to the LDEQ.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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