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Toledo, Ohio – Ohio Refining Co., Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Energy Transfer (R&M) LLC, Pilkington North America Inc., and Chemtrade Logistics Inc. have collectively agreed to pay a combined total of $7.2 million to address claims of natural resource damages involving historic industrial discharges, including oil and hazardous substances, that have affected the watershed areas at the Duck & Otter Creeks Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) site near Toledo, Ohio.

Key Points

• The complaint alleges liability for discharges of oil or hazardous substances, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), arsenic, and lead.
• The affected site is near Toledo, Ohio, east of the Maumee River, and includes Duck and Otter Creeks, adjoining wetlands, floodplain areas, and uplands. These creeks flow into Maumee Bay in Lake Erie.
• Oil spills in the aquatic environment cause PAH pollution. PAHs and metals have been identified in creek sediments, posing potential harm to invertebrates, fish, birds, and mammals.
• A draft Restoration Plan, available for public review, proposes improvements to the Delaware and Clark Island Complex within the Maumee River.
• The restoration includes enhancing approximately 23 acres of alluvial islands, constructing shoreline features to prevent further erosion, and creating and restoring island, wetland, and submerged habitats, including vegetation work, such as planting native plants.