You would imagine that when it comes to intentional environmental violations, we are usually talking about individuals or small company's that get into trouble. In fact, it appears that most corporations, regardless of size, are environmentally responsible and don't want to pollute or incur a negative public image as an irresponsible neighbor. From my perspective, this is the rule; however, there are some notable exceptions.

The most notable violation was particularly nasty. Last year, paper manufacturing giant Louisiana Pacific pled guilty to committing notorious air pollution violations. It agreed to pay $37 million in penalties and fines -- the highest ever paid for federal air pollution violations.

Louisiana Pacific admitted that it falsified records to minimize the true amount of its air pollution releases from one of its manufacturing plants. Some corporate officials were apparently aware of these falsifications and what this informs us is that some corporate giants really are not great neighbors. At least, not all of the time.

For example, everybody loves Sarah Lee. Perhaps not everyone. Last October, Sarah Lee announced a proposed settlement relating to allegations that a meat packing company that it once owned wrongfully dumped animal contaminated waste, which entered the Milwaukee water supply system. Under the agreement, Sarah Lee was required to pay $250 thousand .

According to the allegations, the allegedly dumped waste had been contaminated with Cryptosporidium. That parasite ultimately migrated into the municipal water system, killing approximately 100 people. Cryptosporidium is a parasite that can kill people, especially individuals with weakened immune systems.

Sarah Lee maintains that nobody ever proved that the discharged meat waste was actually contaminated with Cryptosporidium. It maintained that its settled the suit to stop mounting legal costs.

Which is therefore not to say that Sarah Lee chickened out, certainly not in the way poultry produce king Tyson Foods allegedly did. According to Maryland officials, Tyson is legally responsible for dumping thousands of gallons of chicken feathers and guts onto property located near public water bodies. The animal waste allegedly seeped into the public water bodies. Federal law generally prohibits the discharge of this kind of waste onto the ground or the into public water bodies.

When the alleged dumping took place, the factory was owned by Hudson Foods. However the State is seeking to hold Tyson liable because it assumed Hudson's permit responsibilities.

Here again, there is an alleged injury resulting from the misconduct. Maryland alleges that the discharges increased phosphorus and nitrogen levels in the Pocomoke River, which, in part, contributed to the serious outbreak of Pfiesteria. Pfiesteria has been linked to fish kills involving millions of fish. Maryland is seeking $5.4 million in damages.

People like to feel safe, and in California they purchase groceries from Safeway. Safeway has long been a trusted member of the community. But even trusted neighbors run afoul (another play on words that should have been used for Tyson) of environmental laws on occasion.

In July of this year, Safeway agreed to pay $200,000 for allegedly dumping thousands of gallons of spoiled milk into Northern California public sewers. Apparently, more than 10,500 gallons of milk were dumped by 24 stores. Some individuals reportedly witnessed a "milky creek" following the illicit discharges.

Usually, there is no reason to cry over spilled milk. However, milk poured into public sewers ultimately is released into public water bodies. The milk creates a heavy demand on the oxygen naturally found in the water. When the oxygen availability is reduced, aquatic life becomes threatened and can die.

While we all like to purchase brand names that we can trust, sometimes even the trusted few pollute our environment. Each case is different, but the lesson is the same: we must continue to watch thy neighbor and make sure that thy neighbor doesn't pollute our property, our bodies of water, our air, or our drinking water.

Published: September 23, 1999

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