Tata Steel UK Ltd (TSUK) paid the money to the Humber Nature
Partnership, an organisation that delivers projects resulting in
environmental, economic and community benefits. The payment
follows a pollution incident on the Bottesford Beck.
On the 22 May 2015 after a call from the TSUK Environment
Manager, Environment Agency officers found a heavy red coloured
lubricating oil on Seraphim lagoon, the Bottesford Beck and in
wetland channels of Ashby Ville Local Nature Reserve.
Following investigations it appears that the oil overflowed from
an industrial bulk container as oil was being drained from a
lubricating tank on the TSUK site.
Under the terms of this Enforcement Undertaking (EU), Tata Steel
UK Ltd accepted an obligation to make a donation of £73,000 to
the Humber Nature Partnership. Final plans for how the money will
be used are still underway, but tree planting creation of
wildlife ponds and ground works for an outdoor classroom that
could be used by local schools are some schemes under
consideration.
As part of the EU, Tata Steel UK Ltd has also agreed to take
action to ensure that a similar incident does not recur and paid
the costs of the Environment Agency.
Elizabeth Cooper, environment officer with the Environment
Agency, said:
We work hard to protect people and the environment. In this
case, we considered that the Enforcement Undertaking was an
appropriate way to sanction the company while creating a
benefit for the local environment.
Serious pollution can have devastating effects on rivers,
fields and wildlife.
Along with prosecutions, the Environment Agency use enforcement
notices, stop notices and civil sanctions to either improve
performance or stop sites from operating. It is making better use
of the wide range of measures that are available to bring sites
back into compliance as quickly as possible.
The Environment Agency’s use of civil sanctions is in line with
recent legislation extending their availability for more
offences.
Civil sanctions such as these can be a proportionate and
cost-effective way for businesses to make amends for less serious
environmental offences.
The Enforcement Undertaking requires Tata Steel UK Ltd to:
-
Make a donation of £73,000 to the Humber Nature Partnership
-
Implement pollution prevention and restoration works
-
Review refresher training for staff
-
Site improvement works
-
Pay Environment Agency costs
Failure to comply with an EU may result in the offender being
prosecuted for the original offence. Details of Enforcement
Undertakings accepted by the Environment Agency between can be
found on GOV.UK
