$50,000 Pollution Fine Reversed In Western Md.

CUMBERLAND, Md. (AP) -- A judge in Cumberland has reversed a $50,000 fine against a wastewater processing company.

The Cumberland Times-News reported in its Wednesday edition on the ruling involving Mexico Farms LLC. The
company treated wastewater from Fibred, a local firm that makes dietary fiber from soybean hulls.

Allegany County Circuit Judge Gary Leasure directed the state Office of Administrative Hearings to reconsider the fine. But Leasure upheld the Maryland Department of the Environment's decision to deny the company a permit for further wastewater treatment.

Mexico Farms disposed of the treated wastewater by spraying it on crops or discharging it into surface waters. State regulators found that the wastewater didn't meet environmental standards.

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