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Five Star Mining fined for filling in wetlands near Petersburg

Release Date: 01/29/2009
Contact Information: Phillippa Cannon, 312-353-6218, cannon.phillippa@epa.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 09-OPA012

Five Star Mining fined for filling in wetlands near Petersburg

CHICAGO (Jan. 29, 2009) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has signed a consent agreement and final order with Five Star Mining, Inc. Petersburg, Ind., for filling in about seven acres of forested wetlands at its Prosperity Mine without a permit. The company has agreed to pay a $75,000 penalty and apply for an after-the-fact wetlands permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

EPA alleged that for several days around June 1, 2005, the mining company deposited about 4,200 cubic yards of dredged material from earthmovers and bulldozers into forested wetlands next to Conger Creek. Conger Creek flows into the White River.

Under the Clean Water Act, a permit is needed before discharging pollutants into or filling in waters of the United States, including wetlands. Wetlands play a valuable role in the environment by filtering pollutants, reducing soil erosion, controlling flooding, and providing habitat to animals and aquatic life.