[OGD] settlement --> spill and illegal installation / California (US)

"Half Moon Bay orchid farm to pay nearly $140,000 settlement in 
environmental case
...
San Mateo County orchid grower has agreed to pay nearly $140,000 to settle 
allegations it spilled hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel into a creek that 
flows into the Pacific Ocean and illegally installed an irrigation pump in 
habitat for endangered species...

Under the agreement... Challenge Horticulture... which does business as 
Half Moon Bay Orchids, must comply with environmental laws and pay the 
$139,000 in civil penalties and reimbursement to the county...

Challenge... opted to settle... in order to move on.
...
the most recent violation happened June 30, 2010, when a broken pipe 
spilled hundreds of gallons of diesel onto the ground and got into 
Frenchman's Creek, which drains into the ocean.
Employees were demolishing a structure on Challenge's property... in Half 
Moon Bay when they damaged a pipe connected to three storage tanks, one of 
which contained thousands of gallons of diesel fuel.
...
An allegation from a Nov. 9, 2009, incident stems from Challenge workers 
installing a pump to take irrigation water from Loess Creek. A California 
Department of Fish and Game warden spotted the work and then learned 
Challenge lacked permits from state Fish and Game, the Water Resources 
Board, the county and Cal-OSHA...

The creek is known to be habitat for endangered and threatened species...
the body of water is subject to the state's strict environmental laws.

Challenge had permits to take the water from the creek, but not to install 
a pump, said Wong.

Part of the settlement money will reimburse enforcement and emergency 
response costs.
Challenge cleaned up the spilled diesel"

URL : 
http://www.mercurynews.com/san-mateo-county-times/ci_20909266/half-moon-bay-orchid-farm-pay-139-000
 


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