MADISON, Wis. – Josh Kaul, the Attorney General of the United States announced today that Gage Marine Corporation (Gage Marine Corporation) has been awarded a civil judgment. Gage Marine will be subject to a $25,000 monetary penalty due to alleged violations to the underground petroleum storage tank laws of the United States. These violations were committed at Gage Marines Walworth County marina fueling station located near Lake Geneva.
Attorney General Kaul said that if an underground storage tank is leaking, there must be steps taken to prevent gasoline from being released into the environment. Underground storage tank owners and operators need to pay attention and take action on the information they receive through inspections and tank monitors.
According to the Complaint in the Complaint, Gage Marines premium underground storage tank (unleaded UST), regularly contained excessive amounts of water starting in January 2019. This indicated that the unleaded UST might have been leaking gasoline. Gage Marine did not attempt to find the source of the unleaded UST water until June 2019. Gage Marine’s June 2019 actions didn’t stop the unleaded UST accumulating more water. During June 2019, the unleaded UST failed two leak detection tests. Between June 19-21, 2019, product inventory verification records showed that approximately 235 gallons gasoline had been missing from the unleaded UST.
Gage Marine performed a camera inspection of the inside unleaded UST. It revealed that the UST had a hole and had released gasoline into its environment. Gage Marine didn’t remove the unleaded UST nor clean up the gasoline contamination. It did so on December 2, 2019.
The environment can be contaminated by gasoline that is released into the groundwater and soil. Exposed to gasoline can cause serious health problems for both humans and wildlife.
The State was represented by Bradley J. Motl, Assistant Attorney General, who worked closely with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection in obtaining this judgment. Walworth County Circuit Judge David M. Reddy signed on February 7, 2022 the Order for Judgment.
This compromise was reached prior the commencement of a civil case. The 2017 Wisconsin Act 369 requirements do not apply because of this.
Press Release: https://www.doj.state.wi.us/news-releases/ag-kaul-announces-environmental-judgment-requiring-gage-marine-corporation-pay-25000
