Rep. proposes stiffer fines for dumping sewage
Published by news@presspubli... on Fri, 07/30/2021 - 4:00pm
By:
Larry Limpf
Cities would face stiffer fines for dumping sewage into Lake Erie under a bill proposed by State Representative Jon Cross, R – Kenton.
Rep. Cross said the recent report of the City of Maumee dumping as much as 150 million gallons of sewage each year into the Maumee River for the past 20 years was one reason for sponsoring the bill.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency fined the city $29,936.
Under Cross’ bill, cities would face a fine of $250,000 for a first offense of knowingly violating the law, with a $1,000 per day fine for ongoing dumping. An additional $1 million would be added to the fine if the discharge exceeds 100 million gallons within a 12-month period.