Louisville, KY – River Road Terminal, Inc. has been sentenced following a guilty plea to charges of negligently violating the Clean Water Act (CWA). The company illegally discharged pollutants into the Ohio River for over two years, demonstrating a blatant disregard for environmental regulations and public health.
According to court documents, River Road Terminal, Inc. released grains, salts, and fertilizers directly into the Ohio River between approximately April 1993 and November 1995, all without obtaining the necessary permits required by the CWA. The unpermitted discharges raised concerns among environmental watchdogs and prompted a federal investigation.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) criminal enforcement division led the investigation, uncovering evidence of consistent and unauthorized effluent releases. These discharges not only violated federal law but also posed a potential threat to aquatic life and downstream water users. Investigators determined the company failed to implement adequate controls to prevent the release of these materials.
On February 23, 1998, River Road Terminal, Inc. pled guilty to one count of violating 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A) of the Clean Water Act, specifically the negligent violation of the Act. The company was sentenced to a 24-month probationary period, a $125 special assessment fee, and a substantial fine of $75,000. The sentencing serves as a warning to other industrial facilities operating along the Ohio River and throughout the nation.
Key Facts
- Defendant: River Road Terminal, Inc.
- Crime: Negligent violation of the Clean Water Act
- Location: Ohio River, Kentucky
- Timeline: April 1993 – November 1995 (discharges), February 1998 (guilty plea & sentencing), October 1998 (charges filed)
- Statute Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A)
- Penalties: 24 months probation, $125 special assessment fee, $75,000 fine
GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments. The EPA is increasingly focused on prosecuting companies that prioritize profit over environmental compliance, and this case underscores that commitment. The long-term effects of the pollutants on the Ohio River ecosystem remain under assessment by state and federal agencies.
The case was prosecuted by the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section, highlighting the collaborative effort between the EPA and federal prosecutors to enforce environmental laws. This conviction sends a clear message that environmental violations will be met with swift and decisive legal action.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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