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EPA reports end-of-year enforcement results for Oklahoma

Release Date: 11/15/2007
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Tressa Tillman at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

(Dallas, Texas – November 15, 2007) Enforcement activities by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency produced historic results from industry, government, and other regulated entities to protect the nation’s air, water, and land in fiscal year 2007. The record $10.6 billion in pollution controls and environmental projects to achieve compliance with federal environmental laws exceeds the previous record of $10.2 billion set in FY2006.

In Oklahoma, EPA achieved more than 22 million pounds of pollution reductions, more than $7 million in penalties and environmental improvements, and concluded 191 enforcement cases with facilities in the state.

“EPA is committed to safeguarding our nation’s environmental health through effective compliance assistance and a strong enforcement program,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene. “Today’s report shows that we continue to make significant progress in protecting people and the environment.”

EPA’s enforcement numbers were released today by its Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance as part of its end-of-year report for FY2007, which ended September 30.

Among the Agency’s enforcement achievements for Oklahoma is working with state counterparts to prevent water pollution from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). EPA worked with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to issue cease and desist orders to CAFOs located in Garvin and Hughes counties. Discharges from their operations had polluted nearby creeks.

EPA also settled two related cases with Seaboard Foods LP and PIC USA Inc. involving contaminated groundwater and surface waters near several of their facilities. Under the terms of the agreements, the companies will pay $445,000 in penalties and $5 million in cleanup costs. The companies will also implement pollution controls and practices that will result in one million pounds of pollutant reductions.

Total enforcement results for EPA Region 6 included more than 92 million pounds of pollution reductions, more than $237 million in environmental improvements, and 674 enforcement cases concluded with facilities across Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. In addition, EPA provided help to 11,839 regional businesses and individuals in understanding and complying with environmental responsibilities.

The EPA enforcement program is a vital tool in ensuring compliance with the nation’s environmental laws and inspiring businesses, governments, and others to focus on pollution prevention. More information on the EPA FY2007 enforcement and compliance program is available at https://www.epa.gov/earth1r6/6en/07-axns.htm.

To learn more about activities in EPA Region 6, please visit https://www.epa.gov/region6.