The Department of Environmental Protection Friday announced it has levied more than $1.2 million in fines against Seneca Landfill Inc. and Vogel Disposal Services Inc., both subsidiaries of Vogel Holding Inc.

The fines against Seneca Landfill Inc. total $634,375 and were levied for a variety of operational violations stemming as far back as 2011. The violations include exceeding daily maximum capacity, failure to implement odor control plans, mismanagement of leachate and failure to maintain equipment.

Seneca Landfill Inc. also incurred violations for improper storage of unapproved waste. The company operates a permitted waste landfill in Lancaster and Jackson townships, Butler County.

Vogel Disposal Inc., a waste transportation company, was fined $645,644 for transporting more than 500 containers of unapproved oil and gas residual waste to Seneca’s landfill, as well as numerous waste transportation violations discovered during waste hauler inspections between 2011 and 2013.

These violations included hauling waste in vehicles that were without safety equipment, contingency plans or proper signage; not leak proof or maintained to ensure no leakage occurred; and were not properly covered. In addition, Vogel Disposal Inc. conducted an unpermitted waste transfer operation at its business in Adams Township, Butler County.

In September 2013, DEP denied a landfill permit to Tri County Landfill Inc., also a Vogel Holdings Inc. subsidiary, based in-part on the history of violation by Seneca Landfill Inc. and Vogel Disposal Inc.  

3/17/2014