WBRZ - Baton Rouge

The state Department of Environmental Quality says Chesapeake Energy Corp. and contractor Schlumberger Technology Corp. broke three regulations in connection with the deaths of 17 cows in April.

The cows died after drinking liquid spilled from a natural gas well site in south Caddo Parish, near Spring Ridge.

A penalty letter says the material was on the ground long enough to constitute solid waste disposal, so the companies broke state law by letting a regulated solid waste be deposited without a permit.

It also says they failed to properly notify the state hazardous materials hot line, or to notify DEQ within seven days.

Chesapeake spokesman Kevin McCotter says any comment will come the company reviews the notice in detail and meets with DEQ.