Youngstown, OH – Mark A. Goff, 46, of Newton Falls, Ohio, was sentenced to three years of probation and 300 hours of community service after pleading guilty to illegally discharging industrial waste into the Mahoning River in 2012. The case, a joint investigation by multiple state and federal agencies, sheds light on the ongoing concerns surrounding environmental crimes linked to the booming oil and gas industry in the region.
According to court documents, Goff, an employee of Hardrock Excavating LLC, was directed by the company’s owner to illicitly dump brine and oil-based drilling mud into a stormwater drain connected to the Mahoning River. The discharges occurred on approximately nine separate nights between October 1 and November 12, 2012. The operation was intentionally conducted under the cover of darkness to avoid detection.
Prosecutors presented evidence indicating that Goff acted under direct orders, emptying “lighter phase” waste liquids from storage tanks using a hose. Hardrock Excavating LLC, which provides services to oil and gas companies in Ohio and Pennsylvania, maintained roughly 58 storage tanks, each capable of holding 20,000 gallons of waste. The illicit dumping was intended to circumvent proper disposal procedures and potentially save the company money.
Environmental Impact and Legal Ramifications
The illegal discharges represent a clear violation of the Clean Water Act, specifically 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A), which prohibits the unpermitted discharge of pollutants into navigable waters. Officials emphasize that such actions pose a significant threat to both environmental health and public safety. The Mahoning River is a vital waterway for the region, providing drinking water and supporting aquatic ecosystems.
Official Statements
“Those who make it their business to harvest from under Ohio its great natural resources, have a responsibility to the men, women and children who drink its water, live on its land and breathe its air,” stated Steven M. Dettelbach, former United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, at the time of the initial charges. “This defendant broke the law and must be held accountable.” Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of holding all parties involved in the contamination accountable. Randall Ashe, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s criminal enforcement program, warned that such actions “threaten to turn America’s waterways into chemical dumping grounds.”
Increased Scrutiny of Oil & Gas Waste Disposal
This case is part of a broader pattern of criminal enforcement actions related to improper waste disposal in the oil and gas industry. The Ohio EPA, in conjunction with federal partners, has significantly increased its scrutiny of companies handling drilling waste, seeking to deter future violations. The penalties, while including probation and community service in Goff’s case, serve as a warning that more severe consequences – including substantial fines and imprisonment – await those who deliberately pollute the environment.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Mark A. Goff, 46, of Newton Falls, Ohio
- Company Involved: Hardrock Excavating LLC
- Location: Mahoning River, Ohio
- Dates of Offense: October 1, 2012 – November 12, 2012
- Statute Violated: Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A))
- Penalty: Three years probation, 300 hours community service
- Investigation Agencies: Ohio EPA, Ohio DNR, U.S. EPA, Ohio BCI, Youngstown Departments of Public Works & Fire
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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