ODNR stepping in to clean up Austin Master Services after company misses court deadline

Martins Ferry, OHIO (WTRF) – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources will be stepping in to clean up Austin Master Service’s facility in Martins Ferry.

Austin Master Services had until Monday, July 22nd to comply with a court order to clean up the site. According to the ODNR, they did not, and now the ODNR will be taking over the clean up project.

In a statement released to 7NEWS Monday evening, officials with the ODNR say:

“In March, Division of Oil & Gas Resources Management inspectors discovered Austin Master Services exceeded its waste limits and immediately suspended operations and sought emergency relief from the courts. ODNR has been relentlessly pursuing AMS through litigation to hold them accountable for their responsibility to clean up the site, while closely monitoring the facility. Now that the court’s contempt deadline has expired, we are able to and will take over clean up beginning on July 23.”

Chief Eric Vendel, ODNR Division of Oil & Natural Gas Resources Management

ODNR says they will not only bring the facility into compliance with the permitted levels of waste, but they will also oversee “a complete removal of all waste in the facility and full remediation of the site.”

The money used for the project will come from bond forfeiture, the oil and gas fund, and they will be seeking reimbursement directly from Austin Master Services.

The ODNOR also says they will do everything in their power to hold Austin Master Services, as well as any affiliates accountable.

Stay with 7NEWS for updates.

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