In a recent development, the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment – Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and White River Marine Group, LLC (White River) have signed a Consent Administrative Order (CAO) relating to an alleged air permit violation. The agreement dated October 19th addresses the alleged non-compliance circumstances at a facility in Midway, Arkansas, owned and managed by White River. Find more details about this case here.
The facility in question reportedly engages in the manufacturing of fiberglass boats. Any potential environmental impact or infraction of environmental regulations in such settings can attract legal intervention, as this case demonstrates.
This incident underscores the rigorous enforcement of environmental laws and regulations, even within indsutrial sectors not commonly associated with substantial environmental risks, such as boat manufacturing. The case signals to legal professionals involved in industry compliance that no industry is exempt from rigorous scrutiny and enforcement of environmental standards.
Upon entering into the CAO, both White River and DEQ have agreed to address and rectify the alleged violation. While the specifics of the violation have not been publicly released, the fact that such an agreement has been reached indicates the parties’ intention to uphold environmental standards, reflecting a broader trend in industrial compliance.
It is, therefore, a prudent reminder for legal professionals and enterprises to consistently review their compliance programs, strategies, and operational practices to ensure conformance with laws and regulations. This includes organizations within industrial sectors that may not be traditionally associated with significant environmental impact.