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About POGO's Federal Contractor Misconduct Database (FCMD)

The government awards contracts to companies with histories of misconduct such as contract fraud and environmental, ethics, and labor violations. In the absence of a centralized federal database listing instances of misconduct, the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) is providing such data. We believe that it will lead to improved contracting decisions and public access to information about how the government spends hundreds of billions of taxpayer money each year on goods and services. Report an instance of misconduct »

Bechtel Corporation

Violations of Wetlands and Water Quality Laws

Date: 11/15/1999 (Date of Fine)

Misconduct Type: Environment

Enforcement Agency: State/Local

Contracting Party: None

Court Type: Administrative

Amount: $90,000

Disposition: Fine

Synopsis: Bechtel paid a fine for violating New Hampshire’s wetlands and water quality laws in the construction of a gas pipeline. “PNGTS [Portland Natural Gas Transmission System] began building the 68-mile-long gas pipeline through Coos County in the spring of 1998, with Bechtel acting as general contractor for the project. During construction, DES inspectors discovered many violations of state environmental laws and permit conditions, mostly involving the discharge of sediment into streams and wetlands. Sedimentation and turbidity impair water quality and can damage fish and wildlife habitat as well as wetlands vegetation.”