Attorney General's News Release

February 11, 2010

Attorney General Koster sues Camden County developer for clean water violations

Jefferson City, Mo. – Attorney General Chris Koster has filed two separate lawsuits against a Camden County developer for polluting waters adjacent to residential housing developments in Camden and Morgan counties.

Koster alleges that inspections by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) showed that Spanburg allowed water contaminants to run off into the lake at Chelsea Rose Estates and into a tributary of Brush Creek near the Wellington Woods Subdivision.  MDNR inspections also showed that Spanburg had not put erosion control structures or Best Management Practices in place at either development.  The company also failed to get proper permits required by law.  Koster alleges Spanburg did not respond to numerous violations warnings from MDNR.

“All developers in Missouri are obligated to ensure the environmental integrity of their development sites,” Koster said.  “This office will aggressively pursue any developers who show disregard for our environmental laws.”

Koster is asking the court to issue preliminary and permanent injunctions requiring Spanburg to comply with the Clean Water Law; to assess a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 per day for each violation of the Clean Water Law; and to require the defendant to pay all costs associated with the case.