State Announces Settlement Agreement In Sugar Creek Environmental Damages Case

dnr.state.il.us, Apr 09, 2007

The State of Illinois has entered into an agreement that will help restore the natural resources along Sugar Creek that were injured by an April 2001 gasoline spill. The agreement provides that J. McDaniel Transportation, Inc. will pay a total of $25,000 to the State for natural resource restoration and educational projects.

“It’s always unfortunate in these instances when fish or native plant life are injured. Through this agreement, we’re confident that along with the IEPA, we will be able to sufficiently restore this area, and also assist citizens and the business community in understanding the importance of environmental stewardship,” said Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Acting Director Sam Flood.

“While nothing can adequately replace the natural resources lost in Sugar Creek, this settlement will help the state restore the areas damaged by the gasoline spill,” said Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott.

As a result of a truck accident, gasoline from a tanker truck spilled on Illinois Route 136, located near McLean in McLean County, on April 3, 2001 and entered into a drainageway that carried the waste to Sugar Creek. The spill resulted in the death of fish and other aquatic life that extended nearly four miles. While initial environmental remediation was completed, the State of Illinois sought recovery for damages to natural resources not addressed in the immediate cleanup. Read more ar dnr.state.il.us.