State Settles Portage County Environmental Case

MADISON - Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen today announced that the Wisconsin Department of Justice has filed and settled an environmental lawsuit in Portage County Circuit Court.  The State of Wisconsin brought this case against Paramount Farms, Inc., for violations of state laws that prohibit unlicensed storage and open burning of solid waste.

 The Department of Natural Resources investigated a burn by Paramount Farms Inc., at the intersection of Third Avenue and Harding Road in the Town of Pine Grove.  A pit in the ground contained ash and charred material from previous burning; along with trash, electrical equipment, wood pallets, cardboard boxes, plastic garbage bags, a propane container, and other items that had been recently placed in the pit.  Paramount Farms, Inc., did not have a license from DNR to treat, process or store solid waste.

Paramount Farms, Inc., agreed to pay penalties, costs and attorney fees totaling $6,000 for these violations.

"The Department of Justice will continue to work with the Department of Natural Resources to ensure that Wisconsin's air pollution and solid waste laws are followed," said Van Hollen.

Wisconsin Assistant Attorney General Mary Batt represented the state.  Portage Circuit Court Judge Thomas T. Flugaur approved the settlement