Attorney General Tom Corbett

Attorney General Tom Corbett announced this week the distribution of $15,000 to community and environmental organizations in Tioga County as the result of a criminal case prosecuted by the Attorney General's Environmental Crimes Section.

General Corbett said the $15,000 environmental contribution is part of the sentence handed down in Tioga County Court of Common Pleas against Casella Waste Management of PA Inc.

According to the criminal complaint, Casella Waste Management repeatedly accepted more than the permitted amount of waste at a transfer station located at 200 Tioga St., Wellsboro. The defendant also was charged with failing to accurately record the amount of waste received at the transfer station between July 2000 and July 2002.

Representatives from Casella Waste Management entered pleas of nolo contendere to two misdemeanor counts of unlawful conduct under Pennsylvania's Solid Waste Management Act.

In addition to the $15,000 environmental contribution, Casella Waste Management also was sentenced to pay a fine of $35,000 to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Solid Waste Abatement Fund.

"As Attorney General, I am committed to investigating and prosecuting environmental crimes throughout the state," Corbett said. "In addition to holding violators accountable for their actions, it is important that we work to direct settlement funds into conservation, education and public safety efforts that will benefit all Pennsylvanians."

Corbett said the $15,000 environmental contribution is being distributed to three non-profit organizations supporting various projects in Tioga County:

· Pine Creek Headwaters Protection Group, located in Wellsboro, will receive $5,000 for reclamation and other services along the Pine Creek and the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.

· Babb Creek Watershed Association, located in Williamsport, will receive $5,000 for reclamation and other services to reduce acid mine drainage and restore the Babb Creek in Tioga County.

· Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy, located in Williamsport, will receive $5,000 to support preservation and conservation of waterways, forests, wildlife habitat and historic sites in Tioga County.

4/14/2006