WILLIAMSPORT — The Department of Environmental Protection has fined RW Products LLC of Wheeling, WV, $21,029 for the illegal disposal of a reported 800 gallons of waste drilling mud on State Game Lands 219 in Warren Township, Bradford County, in December 2011.

“A driver for RW Products admitted that he intentionally dumped a load of oil-based waste drilling mud onto the ground,” North-central Waste Management Program Manager Patrick Brennan said. “This violated the Pennsylvania Solid Waste Management Act and the department’s penalty reflects this blatant disregard for the environment.”

The drilling mud was transported about 2.3 miles from Talisman Energy USA’s Strope gas well pad to Reagan Hill Road, where it was illegally dumped. Talisman conducted the cleanup of the mud and contaminated soil, which was properly disposed at the Hyland Landfill in Angelica, NY.

The fine has been paid to the state’s Solid Waste Abatement Fund.

The driver was arrested by the Pennsylvania State Police shortly after the dumping and has pleaded guilty to a second-degree misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief. He is scheduled to be sentenced in Bradford County Court on May 17.

Visit www.dep.state.pa.us or call 570/327-3636.