(LANSING) – A St. Joseph County based company is being sued.

In continuing her push to hold companies that make and use PFAS accountable of PFAS contamination in Michigan’s environment, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has filed a new lawsuit against Ox Paperboard WP LLC and White Pigeon Mills, LLC, known collectively as Ox Paperboard, for repeated discharges of PFAS contaminated wastewater into the White Pigeon River and the surrounding environment.

Nessel contends in her lawsuit that Ox Paperboard’s unauthorized wastewater discharge resulted in the release of hazardous substances to the environment, including PFAS.

Since Ox Paperboard began operating the White Pigeon Mill in St. Joseph County in June 2020, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy has issued the paper company seven violation notices for improperly discharging PFAS contaminated wastewater. Despite the repeated violation notices, the lawsuit alleges Ox Paperboard has continued to violate Michigan’s statutes prohibiting harmful discharges into waters of the State, and has further failed to properly close wastewater lagoons on the mill property.

Nessel’s complaint seeks proper closure of the wastewater lagoons; an end to Ox Paperboard’s unauthorized discharges to the waters of the State; and civil fines, costs, and damages associated with the violations and the expense to the State to enforce the law.