RECEX

VP! C

CLERK’S OFFICE

JAMES MEzo

OIL CO.

P. 0.

BOX 220

BENTON, ILLINOIS 62812

iUNP~N2OQ~I8)

439-3054

STATE OF ILLINOIS

POIIutio~

Control Board

June 3,2004

illinois Pollution Control Board

100 W. Randolph

Suite 11-500

Chicago,

11. 60601

Re: PCB 02-177

Pollution Control Board,

1 have received your opinion and order on the above referenced.

It seems the $3,500.00 penalty is rather harsh, considering the circumstances.

The Opinion refers to my posing as the operatorof the Oestreich tank battery.

At the time I made the Assignment and 0G26 form to John Prior,

we believed

The Permit transfer would be made timely.

This ofcourse did not happen

Until the D.N.R.

did an administrative transfer.

I am convinced the Oestreich leasewas never operated after the Assignment

Was made.

There was a tool lost in the hole and after I decided to plug

and

Abandon the well Mr.

Prior wanted to purchase the lease and try to salvage

The well, thus the Assignment.

I was lax in that I did not follow up as closely as I should have to get the

Permit transferred, partly because I knew the well was not being operated.

I would appreciate any consideration

and mercy the board can give to reducing

The penalty.

Thank you

in advance for your consideration ofthis matter.

Sincerely,

James Mezo