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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 4, 1993                   TAG: 9303040217
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: FAIRFAX                                LENGTH: Short

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RESTITUTION SOUGHT IN LOSSES FROM OIL LEAK

Neighbors of a tank farm say a multimillion-dollar environmental fine doesn't address lost property values resulting from underground oil leakage near their homes.

More than 200 homeowners threatened Wednesday to sue Star Enterprises, an affiliate of Texaco, which is responsible for the 150,000-gallon oil leak from its tank farm. The company agreed last month to pay a $2.75 million fine set by the state Water Control Board.

But the settlement does not address depreciated property values, said Jack Duncan, a leader of the Mantua Citizens' Action Group.

Although none of the group members' property was directly contaminated by the leak, property values have dropped because of proximity to the tank farm, he said.

Duncan said the group was not part of an original settlement in September, in which the company agreed to pay as much as $200 million to families directly affected.

- Associated Press

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