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Ohio Officials Investigate Alleged Illegal Dumping Of Brine Waste

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Ohio officials say a company has been caught illegally dumping brine waste from the shale drilling process in eastern Ohio.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources says it's consulting the Attorney General's Office for possible charges against Harch Environmental Resources of St. Clairsville.

The state said the company illegally disposed of brine and other oil field waste at a Belmont County farm. An attorney for the company said it has requested a hearing with the state agency and doesn't think it should be banned from operating in the state.

On May 16, an ODNR inspector found standing water "and what appeared to be oil-based mud that had been discharged directly onto the ground."

It's the second time the state has accused a company of illegal wastewater dumping in eastern Ohio.