CONCORD, N.H. (Legal Newsline) -- The Hillsborough County Superior
Court in New Hampshire has ruled that a Windsor resident must pay
$100,000 for severely contaminating the groundwater at his property.

George Brooks was charged with discharging oil and gasoline on his
property and was ordered to cease and desist from repairing or
salvaging any vehicles or tanks of any kind.

The ruling is the result of a civil enforcement action filed by
Democratic Attorney General Kelly Ayotte and the New Hampshire
Department of Environmental Services (DES).

"This decision sends a message to all salvage yard operators that they
must comply with state law and DES rules, or risk civil penalties,"
said DES Commissioner Thomas S. Burack.

Brooks owns a parcel of land on which he had failed to properly
dispose of oil and gasoline, which resulted in benzene, MtBE and other
chemicals being leaked.

He also illegally burned materials such as insulated wire in order to
recover the scrap metal.

"This office will continue to actively enforce violations of the
State's groundwater protection laws, which serve to protect the
public's health and the environment," Ayotte said.