SALT LAKE CITY –The state of Utah has negotiated a settlement with the Chevron Pipe Line Company over the Willard Bay fuel spill, state leaders announced Tuesday.
According to a press release, the Utah Division of Water Quality and the Division of Utah State Parks and Recreation negotiated a $5.35 million draft settlement agreement with Chevron in response to the pipeline rupture that caused about 21,000 gallons of diesel fuel to leaknear Willard Bay Reservoir in March.
Chevron received a Notice of Violation and Compliance Order (NOV/CO) in April over the spill.Leaders said the settlement will bring closure to the requirements outlined in that citation.
“We believe the settlement is fair,” Walt Baker, director of DWQ, said in a press release. “Chevron will remain responsible to perform any additional cleanup if contamination from the spilled diesel fuel is found in the future. Protecting park visitors and the park’s water quality are our priorities.”
According to a press release, Under the terms of the draft agreement, Chevron has agreed to the following terms:
- $350,000 paid to the Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Quality as a civil penalty.
- $4,450,000 to fund mitigation projects aimed at improvements in related waterways and facilities. These projects are above and beyond any clean-up actions by Chevron.
- $550,000 paid to the Department of Natural Resources Division of Utah State Parks and Recreation for lost use damages at the Willard Bay State Park following the spill.
State leaders are asking the public to review and comment on the draft settlement agreement now through Jan. 16, 2014. Written comments on the draft settlement document and related compliance order can be sent to Emily Bartusek at ebartusek@utah.gov, or P.O. Box 144870, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4870. Comments must be received before 5 p.m. on Jan. 16, 2014.
To review the draft settlement and compliance order, and learn about the Willard Bay diesel fuel spill, visit www.deq.utah.gov/locations/willardbay/willardbay.htm
