Attorney General's News Release

Jan. 20, 1999

Nixon secures record $5.7 million in 1998 enforcing state's environmental protection laws

Jefferson City, MO —Aggressive enforcement of Missouri's environmental laws netted a record $5.7 million in 1998, Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon announced today. The state constitution directs the majority of funds obtained in environmental cases to the state school fund.

"Our efforts have bolstered compliance with environmental laws and have resulted in significant penalties for those who break these laws," Nixon said.

Since its inception in 1993, the Environmental Protection Division has secured nearly $20 million in civil penalties, response costs, damages and restitution payments against violators of state and federal environmental laws.

Nixon's Environmental Protection Division works cooperatively with the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Environmental Protection Agency, the FBI and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to bring criminal charges against the state's most serious polluters.

The office obtained the largest environmental recovery in state history in 1998 from Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Co. The railroad was ordered to pay $3 million in restitution to Missouri and $7 million in fines to the United States after pleading guilty to federal criminal charges of dumping hazardous waste at a railroad side track in Crawford County.

Nixon also continued aggressive action against agricultural-related industries that were responsible for pollution:

• Simmons Foods, a major poultry processing plant in McDonald County, paid $500,000 for water quality violations after Nixon brought suit.
• The state's largest cattle feeding operation, Sharpe Land and Cattle Co., agreed to pay a $56,000 penalty and conform to environmental laws at its ranch in Lewis County.
• Nixon warned Premium Standard Farms not to move hog waste through a pipeline under a highway that would bring the waste into Linn County, where corporate farming is not allowed.

In 1997, the Environmental Protection Division recovered $4.1 million and obtained about 235 favorable dispositions.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818