Pennsylvania DEP Fines Cuz Excavating for Accident

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has fined Larry Herman, co-owner of Cuz Excavating, $3,250 for pollution caused by a truck accident in Gamble Township, Pa.

“In August, a tri-axle truck owned by Mr. Herman crashed near Roaring Run and spilled fuel oil, motor oil and hydraulic oil into the stream,” says Nels Taber, regional director for the DEP’s North-Central region. “Despite the obvious environmental harm to the stream, the accident was not reported to DEP until four hours after it occurred. This delay allowed the petroleum plume to temporarily contaminate a significant portion of Roaring Run.”

The department was finally notified of the problem by a natural gas exploration company, and DEP required Herman to hire a contractor to remove the oil from Roaring Run.

The discharge was a violation of the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law.

The fine is being paid to the Clean Water Fund in three installments, with the final installment due Feb. 4, 2011.