Intracoastal Liquid Mud, Inc., Pollution, LA 1999

New Orleans, LA – Intracoastal Liquid Mud, Inc., a Louisiana-based company servicing the oil industry, has been convicted of multiple violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA) stemming from a six-year scheme to illegally discharge pollutants into Louisiana waterways. The case, brought by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), reveals a pattern of negligent and unlawful disposal of hazardous waste, endangering both aquatic life and potential drinking water sources.

According to court documents, between 1992 and 1998, Intracoastal Liquid Mud, Inc. directed employees to discharge hundreds of thousands of gallons of drilling mud, oil, and contaminated wash waters directly into the river. The company provides drilling mud and barge cleaning services to oil companies, generating substantial waste as a byproduct of its operations. Rather than adhering to environmental regulations, the company opted for illegal dumping to cut costs, investigators allege.

The EPA’s investigation identified three key employees – Mouton, Romero, and Bufford – as central figures in the illicit operation. Romero and Bufford were found to have directly instructed other employees to carry out the illegal discharges, while Mouton actively participated in the scheme during the early years, between 1992 and 1994. The systematic dumping continued unchecked for years, causing significant environmental damage.

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Legal Ramifications and Penalties

Intracoastal Liquid Mud, Inc. was formally charged in July 1998 with violating 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2) of the Clean Water Act, specifically for negligent violation of the act. The company pleaded guilty in January 1999 and received a sentence of 24 months probation and a substantial fine of $240,000. Simultaneously, Romero, Bufford, and Mouton were charged with violating 33 U.S.C. 1311, pertaining to the illegal discharge of pollutants. All three individuals entered guilty pleas.

Sentencing for the individual defendants varied based on their level of involvement. Romero and Bufford each received four months of incarceration, followed by 36 months of probation and a $3,000 fine. Mouton received a lighter sentence of 36 months probation and a $100 federal fine. Federal prosecutors emphasized the severity of the offenses, citing the potential for long-term ecological harm and the disregard for public safety.

Key Facts

Defendant: Intracoastal Liquid Mud, Inc.
Location: Louisiana
Years of Illegal Activity: 1992 – 1998
Pollutants Discharged: Drilling mud, oil, contaminated wash waters
Laws Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1311, 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(a)
Company Penalty: 24 months probation, $240,000 fine
Romero & Bufford Penalty: 4 months incarceration, 36 months probation, $3,000 fine
Mouton Penalty: 36 months probation, $100 fine

This case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of environmental crime and the EPA’s commitment to enforcing regulations designed to protect our nation’s waterways. The agency continues to investigate similar violations and prosecute those who prioritize profit over environmental responsibility.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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