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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23
, 2005

Contact: Erin Phalon
(609) 984-1795

Curtiss-Wright Corporation to Pay $209,991
to Restore Natural Resources, Settle Hazardous Waste Violations

(05/27)TRENTON - Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell today announced that Curtiss-Wright Corporation of Wood-Ridge, Bergen County will pay the state of New Jersey $209,991 to settle violations of state hazardous waste disposal laws and groundwater contamination.

"The message here is clear," said Acting Governor Richard J. Codey. "Play by the rules or suffer the penalties. We will not tolerate companies that threaten our environment and jeopardize public health."

Curtiss-Wright treats and cleans groundwater by removing oil and other contaminants. From January 1999 to March 2002, Curtiss-Wright disposed of 33,000 gallons of contaminated oil, which is considered hazardous waste, by sending it to facilities not authorized to handle hazardous waste. Failing to identify waste as hazardous violates state regulations and jeopardizes public health and the environment.

"The enforcement action against Curtiss-Wright demonstrates DEP's resolve to pursue damages from companies that fail to identify and properly dispose of hazardous waste," said Commissioner Campbell. "This includes DEP's commitment to restore damaged natural resources and negate economic benefits derived from noncompliance."

Curtiss-Wright on February 9, 2005 agreed to settle its hazardous waste violations by paying a $109,991 fine. This figure includes an assessment of the $4,991 economic benefit that Curtiss-Wright realized by improperly disposing of the hazardous waste.

In addition, more than 70 underground storage tanks leaked solvents and fuel oil into groundwater at the Curtiss-Wright facility in Wood-Ridge. Curtiss-Wright is conducting a groundwater cleanup at the site and will pay an additional, initial $100,000 in Natural Resource Damages to address the groundwater contamination. Additional Natural Resource Damage claims may be assessed.

Curtiss Wright also agreed to regularly ship its groundwater cleanup waste to appropriate disposal facilities in the future.

 

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