Senate cuts DOT pollution exemptions from bill

A proposal that would have exempted the state Department of Transportation and its contractors from some fines involving pollution of Georgia's waterways died Monday in the state Senate.

Over the past decade, the DOT racked up $2 million in fines for allowing dirt and surface pollutants to run off construction projects and into the state's streams. It paid $800,000 of the fines while contractors settled the rest.

Senate Transportation Chairman Jeff Mullis, R-Chickamauga, added to a transportation omnibus bill a section that would give the department two passes when cited by environmental authorities and refer fines to a mediation committee. Environmental groups opposed the amendment, which also drew concerns from legislators.

When House Bill 137 came to the Senate floor for debate, Sen. Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega, amended the bill to remove the controversial provisions. Gooch is a former DOT board member. The amended bill passed 52-1.

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