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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