MADISON, Wis., Dec. 22, 2003 -- The Wisconsin Attorney General's office has settled an environmental protection enforcement lawsuit filed in Waukesha County against a Waukesha County stone quarry for violations of its water pollution control permit.
Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager on Dec. 19 said that Halquist Stone Company, Inc., which operates a quarry on Lisbon Road in the Town of Sussex, has agreed to pay $35,000 in forfeitures, penalties and costs for violating state laws that regulate discharges of pollutants into state waters, and to take remedial action to restore the damaged portions of Spring Creek, a stream adjacent to the Halquist property.
According to the Department of Justice's complaint, Halquist illegally discharged wastewater containing excessive amounts of pollutants into Spring Creek, and the discharges deposited a substantial amount of material on the stream bottom, preventing the growth of aquatic vegetation and seriously degrading the stream as a habitat for fish.
Halquist Stone has already completed an investigation of the stream, and has agreed to take specific and significant steps to restore the stream.
In announcing the settlement, Lautenschlager stressed the importance of protecting our streams from these types of damaging acts. "I am pleased that Halquist Stone has agreed to restore the stream, and to pay the financial penalties that come with violating our laws," Lautenschlager said.
The Department of Justice filed the lawsuit at the request of the Department of Natural Resources. Assistant Attorney General JoAnne F. Kloppenburg represented the state.
