Lowe's ends environmental litigation with $18 million settlement

RIVERSIDE - Home improvement retailer Lowe's will pay $18 million to settle an environmental lawsuit filed by 32 counties, including Riverside, over the illegal disposal of hazardous wastes, prosecutors announced today.

Riverside County will receive $650,375 under the settlement, according to D.A.'s office spokesman John Hall. He said the county is home to 10 Lowe's Home Improvement stores and one distribution center.

The Mooresville, N.C.-based chain was sued in Alameda County Superior Court last year after a statewide investigation determined that employees at many of its 118 California stor...