A federal judge yesterday approved a settlement agreement between a nonprofit environmental group and a Beaver County company.

Clean Water Action filed a civil complaint against Horsehead Corp., of Monaca, one year ago, claiming that the company, which operates the world's largest zinc smelter, was sending illegal discharges of industrial wastewater into the Ohio River and through Raccoon Creek.

But, according to the settlement agreement, Horsehead has already taken a number of steps to reduce pollution.

As part of the agreement, the company has agreed to pay a $15,000 penalty to the United States for past violations. It will also pay additional penalties, based on a tiered system, for future instances of excessive discharges, not to go over $12,500 per year.

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