State Settles La Crosse County Environmental Case

LA CROSSE - Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen today announced that the Wisconsin Department of Justice has settled an environmental lawsuit in La Crosse County Circuit Court.  The State of Wisconsin brought this case against Paul Anderson, for violations of state laws regulating the maintenance of underground gasoline storage tanks to protect the waters of the state from harm due to contamination from such liquids.

The Department of Commerce investigated Anderson, d/b/a Andy's Main Street Auto, 604 South Main Street, Holmen, Wisconsin.  Commerce found several violations regarding Anderson's storage and maintenance of those tanks and ordered them permanently closed and removed from the ground.  On November 14, 2008, after referral to the Department of Justice, the tanks were finally removed.  No contamination was found. 

Anderson agreed to pay forfeitures, costs and surcharges totaling $6,470 for these violations.

"The Department of Justice will continue to work with the Department of Commerce to ensure Commerce's Orders are followed and non-conforming underground storage tanks are removed," said Van Hollen. 

Wisconsin Assistant Attorney General Mary Batt represented the state.  La Crosse Circuit Court Judge Elliott M. Levine approved the settlement.