COLUMBUS – A Cincinnati business owner who used four of his companies to illegally dispose of waste at three sites and potentially pollute the Little Miami River has been ordered to pay a $550,000 civil penalty and “clean up the mess.” Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
>>Related: City of Dayton is cracking down on illegal dumpsters.
The lawsuit alleges that Douglas Evans, through Evans Landscape and three other businesses he owns, violated Ohio laws governing the disposal of solid waste and construction debris on properties along Mount Carmel, Broadwell and Round Lower roads, the release said.
A quarter of the fine, $137,500, will go to the Little Miami Conservation Service.
“To protect the state’s waterways, we don’t just go with the flow,” said Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. “Illegally dumped waste doesn’t just end up on the ground – it goes into the water and breaks down into toxins. This drug makes sure that doesn’t happen to him, and the punishment hits him where it hurts – his wallet.
The civil penalty stemmed from a lawsuit filed by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court, the news release said.
Several inspections by health district officials over the years have found that demolished buildings, garbage and other solid waste have been dumped or buried at the three sites; None of these are licensed for disposal.
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As part of the consent order, which was approved by the attorney general’s office and approved by the court, Evans agreed to clean up the properties and correct the violations under a plan approved by the Ohio EPA and the Hamilton County Health District.
• At the Mount Carmel site, a cap will be placed on illegally dumped construction and demolition debris – preventing water from reaching the debris and ingress of harmful chemicals.
• Excavates and removes illegally dumped waste at the Broadwell site under the supervision of the Ohio EPA and health district.
• Conducts groundwater monitoring at the Round Bottom site to ensure waste from the property does not affect groundwater quality or the Little Miami River. If so, Evans will make the necessary adjustments.
If Evans fails to comply with any requirements of the order, he will be immediately liable and must pay additional fines, according to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
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