Triad, the owner and operator of 31 surface mines in Appalachia and Indiana, will pay a penalty and restore affected waterways for failing to obtain the required Clean Water Act permit for stream impacts caused by its surface mining operation in Indiana.
Since 2002, Triad’s mining operation has resulted in the unpermitted excavation and filling of about 53,000 feet of streams that flow into the White River.
EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance assistant administrator Cynthia Giles said.the settlement will ensure that waterways impacted by unpermitted mining operations are restored and can again benefit the state of Indiana and the surrounding communities.
The Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division assistant attorney general Ignacia Moreno said with this settlement, Triad will achieve compliance with the nation’s Clean Water Act and be held accountable for its unpermitted discharges into streams of the White River watershed.
Under the settlement, Triad must restore 34,906 linear feet of streams and enhance 4,330 linear feet of stream bed to address and mitigate impacts to stream beds caused by its mining activities, and will also pay a $810,171 civil penalty.
