By Walter F. Roche Jr.
One of the world's largest defense contractors, England based BAE Systems, has been fined $49,980 for multiple violations of environmental rules at its facilities in Hawkins County.
The notice of violation was issued last month by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation due to repeated violations of limits on wastewater runoff at its Holsron Army Ammunition plant in Kingsport.
"The respondent has appeared on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's quarterly non-compliance report for multiple quarters from Sept. 30, 2019 to Oct. `1, 2021," the 11-page citation states.
The excess runoff flowed into the Holston River and its Arnott Branch, according to the violation notice.
The facility produces explosives for the U.S. Department of Defense and the company states it operates with state-of-the-art equipment.
According to TDEC the company self reported some 20 instances of excess effluent runoff from 2019 to 2021,
"By exceeding the effluent limitations and violating the terms of its (NPDES) permit, the respondent has violated the state Water Quality Control Act," TDEC notice states.
Under the notice BAE must submit a corrective action plan within 90 days, but the company may also file an appeal and request a public hearing.
BAE has been described as the third largest defense contractor in the world and boasts that it is a major supplier of exlosive materials for the U.S. Department of Defense.
The company did not respond to a request for comment on the TDEC findings.
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