Granby, MO – Lynn Eich, former project manager for Environmental Quality Management, has been sentenced to five years of probation and hefty fines for defrauding federal agencies during a $12 million mine waste remediation project in Newton County, Missouri. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), reveals a deliberate scheme to cut corners on a Superfund site cleanup, ultimately endangering public health and costing taxpayers additional funds.
The remediation project, focused on the Newton County Mine Waste Remediation Superfund Site around Granby, aimed to address lead contamination stemming from historical mining operations. Environmental Quality Management secured a contract with both the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA to remove contaminated soil and replace it with clean fill, specifically at Granby City Park. However, the company unexpectedly landed a second, larger remediation contract in nearby Oronogo, straining resources and leading to a critical lapse in quality control.
According to court documents, Eich knowingly misrepresented the qualifications of a replacement Quality Assurance, Quality Control (QAQC) Manager to the Corps of Engineers. The original, qualified QAQC Manager was reassigned due to the dual projects, but the substitute lacked the necessary experience in testing soil for hazardous materials. Between September and October 2016, this unqualified manager failed to adequately test fill material used at Granby City Park. Lab results obtained on October 14, 2016, revealed lead levels exceeding acceptable limits – 640 mg/kg and 720 mg/kg in two samples, drastically over the 100 mg/kg contractual requirement – but these findings were deliberately concealed from both the EPA and the Corps of Engineers.
The deception continued in June 2018 when Eich contacted the Corps of Engineers to report a “hot spot” of contamination in the park. Eich falsely minimized the extent of the contamination, claiming it affected less than 1,000 cubic yards and providing a misleading map. In reality, the lead contamination was pervasive throughout the entire park. This intentional misrepresentation was admitted by Eich. Subsequent independent sampling by the EPA and its National Enforcement Investigations Center confirmed the widespread contamination, forcing the agency to hire another contractor to completely remove the contaminated soil and backfill at a significant additional cost.
The EPA’s investigation highlighted a blatant disregard for environmental regulations and public safety. The remediation work, intended to protect the community, was compromised by cost-cutting measures and fraudulent reporting. The incident underscores the importance of rigorous oversight in Superfund site cleanups and the potential consequences of prioritizing profit over public health. The entire park remediation was completed in June 2021, years behind schedule and at increased expense to the federal government.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Lynn Eich
- Location: Newton County, Missouri (Granby City Park)
- Statutes Violated: Title 18 U.S. Criminal Code, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); 18 U.S.C. 1001 (False Statements)
- Contract Value: Approximately $12 million
- Penalties: 60 months (5 years) of probation, $40,000 criminal fine, and $100 special assessment.
- Nature of Crime: Fraudulent misrepresentation of environmental testing results and qualifications of personnel during a Superfund site remediation project.
GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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