PEMISCOT COUNTY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - A Missouri biodiesel plant has agreed to a settlement following allegations of violating the state's Hazardous Waste Management Law and Clean Water Law.

"We must be diligent stewards of the environmental integrity of this beautiful state," Attorney General Chris Koster said. "As such, we will continue to vigorously enforce the laws governing the use of our natural resources."

Natural Biodiesel Plant, LLC, was alleged by Koster and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources of illegally disposing of over 187,000 gallons of glycerin by-product by applying or dumping it on land in Pemiscot and Dunklin counties.

The illegally dumped glycerin by-product then flowed into the Belle Fountain Ditch and its tributary, Ditch #6, resulting in the death of more than 25,000 fish and more than 600 mussels, some of which are on the federal endangered species list.

The glycerin by-product also caused the water in the ditches to fall below the Missouri Clean Water Commission's established quality standards.

Natural Biodiesel, under the settlement agreement, agreed to pay a civil penalty of almost $38,000, which will go into the Pemiscot County School Fund. An additional $32,000 will be paid to reimburse the state for costs, expenses and damages.

If Natural Biodiesel violates either the Missouri hazardous waste or clean water laws within the next two years, it will be required to pay a $44,000 suspended penalty.