Firm to Pay $306K for W.Va. Stream Pollution

Charleston Gazette
13 February 2013
By The Associated Press

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The operator of a gas processing plant in Wetzel County has agreed to pay $306,000 in fines for erosion problems that repeatedly polluted a northern West Virginia stream.

MarkWest Liberty Midstream & Resources admits no wrongdoing under the proposed settlement order with the state Department of Environmental Protection but waives its right to appeal. It also must submit stream-restoration and corrective-action plans.

DEP is taking public comment through March 22.

It alleges MarkWest repeatedly violated the West Virginia Water Pollution Act at a construction site in Mobley between October 2011 and July 2012.

DEP says serious erosion and multiple soil slips resulted in the pollution and obstruction of an unnamed tributary of the North Fork of Fishing Creek with sediment, trees and other debris.

Repair attempts resulted in further violations.