Department of Justice Settles Jackson County Environmental Case

MADISON — Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced today that the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) has settled an environmental lawsuit in Jackson County Circuit Court. The State of Wisconsin brought this case against Scott I. Heller, d/b/a Hwy. 54 Towing and Repair, LLC, for violations of state laws that prohibit improper disposal of pollutants and discharging wastes without a permit.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) inspected Hwy. 54, an automobile repair shop, on August 14, 2006, and took samples from the garage floor drain. The samples were tested and confirmed the presence of industrial type waste, including oil and grease and fuel oil. These substances are all toxic pollutants and were discharged without a permit. Heller, who subsequently remedied the violations, agreed to pay penalties, costs and surcharges totaling $3,000 for these two violations.

Wisconsin Assistant Attorney General Mary Batt represented the State. Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Thomas E. Lister approved the settlement.

Copies of the Judgment and Stipulation and Order for Judgment are available at the following links: