Pollution Settlement Benefits SM Nonprofits

and Santa Monica Baykeeper are getting a chunk of money in their coffers, thanks to a recent court settlement involving pollution by a metal-recycling company. It is not yet clear exactly how much money the nonprofits will receive from the lawsuit.

The suit, filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, alleged that toxins went into the air after an explosion destroyed pollution-control equipment at a metal-shredding plant on Terminal Island in 2007.

The toxins were coarse particulate matter, including lead dust, according to City News Service. Prosecutors also argued that the company continued operating the plant after the explosion.

SA Recycling LLC agreed to the $2.9 million settlement on Wednesday, according to Business Week. The company bought the plant from Hugo Neu-Proler Corp. in September 2007; the explosion happened on May 22 of that year.

SA Recycling LLC has also reportedly agreed to pay $690,000 in civil fines and for investigative expenses. "The company has promised to work closely with state and local regulators to address compliance issues," Business Week reports.

SA Recycling will reportedly install a new system intended to minimize emissions, per the terms of the settlement. The system will be installed at the company's facilities in San Pedro, as well as Orange and Kern counties.

"While we continue to deny that any violations occurred, we believe a settlement is in the best interest of our company and the community," SA Recycling spokesman Michael Bustamante said, according to Business Week.

Heal the Bay and Santa Monica Baykeeper are two of many organizations set to benefit from the settlement. It is not yet clear how much money the nonprofits—as well as the Port of Los Angeles, Marine Mammal Care Center and Orange County Coastkeeper—will receive. However, the amounts have been disclosed for other organizations, according to CNS:

• State Department of Toxic Substances Control: $430,000

• 11 area marina operators: $165,000 (for remediation)

• University of California, Davis' College of Engineering: $100,000 (for research)

• Coalition for Safe Environment: $75,000