Matson: $725K Molasses Fine
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a settlement relating to an ugly spill in聽Honolulu.聽
Matson Terminals will pay a civil聽fine of $725,000 for violating the聽federal Clean Water Act when molasses spilled into Honolulu Harbor in 2013.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the settlement聽Thursday.
鈥淒ockside facilities must ensure their operations do not pollute nearshore waters,鈥 Alexis Strauss, EPA鈥檚 Acting Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest, said in a press release. 鈥淭he Honolulu Harbor spill affected marine life, coral reefs and kept residents and visitors from enjoying the city鈥檚 incomparable coastal environment.鈥
Matson spilled 233,000 gallons of sugarcane molasses into the harbor during ship-loading activities.
The discharge killed 25,000 fish in the harbor and damaged coral reefs in the area.
Matson no longer ships molasses from Honolulu Harbor.
In 2015聽Matson paid a $400,000 fine plus restitution of $600,000 “after pleading guilty to criminal charges of unlawfully discharging molasses” into the聽harbor.
The restitution was divided between Waikiki Aquarium for聽coral reef programs and invasive algae cleanups, and Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii “to inspire local communities to care for coastlines through beach cleanups.”
Matson also reached an agreement with the state of to stop聽transporting molasses through Honolulu Harbor, to remove its聽molasses distribution system, to pay for re-growing corals that were damaged or destroyed, and to reimburse related cleanup costs, says the EPA.
Read some of Civil Beat’s related reporting on the spill:
Inspector: Matson Pipe Was Leaking 1 Year Before Molasses Spill in Honolulu Harbor
What鈥檚 Being Done to Prevent Another Molasses Spill in Hawaii?
