Boeing Co., which owns the Santa Susana Field Laboratory in California, faces a proposed fine of $471,190 for runoff permit violations. The permits limit the contaminants in water running off the lab property in the hills south of Simi Valley.

Staff from the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board proposed the fine in response to Boeing racking up 79 California Water Code violations over an 18-month period. The board is excpted to decide whether the fine should be levied at an October meeting. Boeing has 90 days to appeal the decision if the board opts to impose the monetary punishment.

Boeing purchased the former rocket engine and nuclear test site in 1996, and the 2,800-acre field laboratory has been the site of a major cleanup effort for more than a decade.

Waste water and storm water runoff from the lab has increased pollutant levels from October 2004 to January 2006. The contaminated water--chromium, dioxin, lead and mercury are key culprits--flows into Bell Creek and the Los Angeles River, according to a statement issued by the regional water board.

The lab's runoff violated a permit issued by the water board on July 1, 2004. The permit allowed for the release of waste water and storm water runoff as long as it doesn't contain high pollutant levels.

A Boeing Co. spokeswoman said the company is evaluating the proposed fine.

Interim executive officer for the regional water board, Deborah Smith, said in a statement that federal and state clean water laws must be "carefully followed and rigorously enforced" to protect the environment and human health.

Dan Hirsch, co-founder of the watchdog group Committee to Bridge the Gap, said he applauds the proposed fine but added that it would be but a slap on the wrist for such a major company. "On the one hand, it's a stunning indictment of Boeing's gross disregard for environmental law," he said. "On the other hand, it's about an hour's worth of Boeing's annual income."

Source: Ventura County Star