| Walmart violates clean water act { May 12 2004 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active) http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=domesticNews&storyID=5122197http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=domesticNews&storyID=5122197
Wal-Mart to Pay $3.1 Mln Settlement Wed May 12, 2004 01:53 PM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the world's biggest retailer, has agreed to pay a $3.1 million civil penalty to settle charges of violations of the federal Clean Water Act at store construction sites across the country, the U.S. government said on Wednesday. Wal-Mart also agreed to institute better control measures to reduce storm water runoff at construction sites, the U.S. Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency said in a statement.
The complaint filed against Wal-Mart alleged violations at 24 sites in nine states. It included charges it failed to get a permit before beginning construction and did not develop a plan to control polluted runoff water.
"Runoff from construction sites is a primary contributor to the impairment of water quality in the nation," said Thomas Skinner, acting assistant administrator of the EPA's office of enforcement and compliance.
A spokesman for Wal-Mart, which posted a $9 billion profit in the last fiscal year, was not immediately available for comment.
Wal-Mart shares were down 73 cents, or 1.3 percent, to $53.80 in midday trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
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