P.M. BRIEFING : Upjohn to Help Restore River
The Upjohn Co. has agreed to pay $1.8 million to settle a 5-year-old suit alleging pollution of the Quinnipiac River by the company’s North Haven plant.
Two environmental groups announced in New Haven Thursday that Upjohn has agreed to set up a trust fund to help restore the Quinnipiac River, which the company’s North Haven plant has been accused of polluting over the years.
The federal lawsuit accused Upjohn of more than 1,100 violations of the Clean Water Act in dumping toxic substances, including carcinogens, into the river.
The trust fund, to be administered by the New Haven Foundation, will use up to $1.2 million to improve the ecology of the river, New Haven Harbor and their watersheds. The rest of the settlement will be used to cover legal costs.
Katherine H. Robinson, senior staff attorney for the Connecticut Fund, said the agreement is believed to be the largest penalty ever paid for permit violations in Connecticut.
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