On 23 January 2014, CSPA settled a Clean Water Act lawsuit Sierra Chemical Co., a chemical manufacturing facility in Stockton, for violations of the federal Clean Water Act and California General Industrial Stormwater Permit. The lawsuit alleged that the facility discharged polluted stormwater, including aluminum, iron, nitrate+nitrogen and pH and above applicable levels into the San Joaquin River and thence the Delta.
The settlement agreement obligates Sierra Chemical to comply fully with the Clean Water Act, develop and implement a suite of Best Management Practices and structural improvements, conduct more frequent and comprehensive monitoring and prepare an adequate Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. The settlement incorporates provisions that allow CSPA to return to court to enforce the terms of the agreement, if necessary.
As mitigation for past violations, Sierra Chemical agreed to send $37,500 to the Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment to fund environmental projects to improve water quality in the San Joaquin River and Delta. They also agreed to reimburse CSPA’s costs of bringing suit. The Law Offices of Andrew Packard represented CSPA in this matter.