July 12, 2012 

For Immediate Release 

Contact: Renée Victoria Hoyos, 865.522.7007 x100 or 865.607.6618

Mascot, TN.  The Tennessee Clean Water Network (“TCWN”) lodged a proposed consent decree with Mine Road Properties, LLC for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act on July 5, 2012.   Mine Road Properties, LLC owns an approximately 118-acre site in Mascot, TN that was historically used to process and store tailings from nearby zinc mines.  The Mine Road site has discharged a milky-white mixture of crushed limestone laced with heavy metals into Flat Creek, a tributary to the Holston River, for decades without any regulatory controls.

Immediately upon receipt of the 60-day notice of intent to sue for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act, Mine Road Properties, LLC and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (“TDEC”) worked with TCWN to create a plan to prevent polluted stormwater from reaching Flat Creek.  The plan includes structures to prevent, slow, and treat runoff.  Implementation of the plan will qualify the site for the required Clean Water Act permit, which will prohibit discharges that cause pollution.

TCWN is very happy with the results.

“We’ve been hearing about the site for years.” Says Renée Victoria Hoyos, Executive Director of TCWN. “I’m glad we were able to come to a swift agreement to fix the problem. Now the work begins.”   

TCWN’s review of files at TDEC found that the state had inspected the site back in 2003 but had not done anything to fix this long-standing environmental problem.  

“TCWN got involved because the state looked at the site and did not figure out how to regulate it,” said TCWN Staff Attorney Stephanie Matheny.  “We did the research, and determined the Clean Water Act was the best vehicle to stop the ongoing pollution problem.  We are confident the corrective action plan and compliance with the new discharge permit will have a significant positive impact on water quality.”

For all documents related to this suit, go to http://www.tcwn.org/cleanwater1