Van Hollen Announces Settlement in Wood County Environmental Violations Case

MADISON - Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen today announced that Don Nikolai Construction & Supply, Inc., and Donald P. Nikolai, have agreed to pay penalties and costs totaling $12,000 for its unlawful discharge of pollutants (sediment) into the waters of the state a stream that flows into Rocky Creek in Wood County.

After the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conducted an investigation and referred the matter to the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) for prosecution, Nikolai Construction and Donald Nikolai were named as defendants in a civil enforcement action for these 2008 violations of environmental protection laws. 

On December 22, 2009, Wood County Circuit Court Judge Todd P. Wolf approved the settlement agreement entered into between the defendants and the Wisconsin Department of Justice. 

"For the protection of Wisconsin citizens and our natural environment, the Wisconsin Department of Justice will continue to work with DNR to ensure that Wisconsin environmental laws are followed," Van Hollen said.

Assistant Attorney General Mary Batt represented the State.