[first post 9/27/07]Update: NRDC announced that it has finally reached an out of court settlement with Texaco after nineteen years of litigation over the pollution of the Delaware River. The settlement came at the last moment as NRDC prepared to go to federal court once again to get compliance with court orders against the giant multinational. The company paid a $1.68 million fine for 3,360 days of violating the Clean Water Act, and as part of the settlement, agreed to pay an additional $2.25 million to local environmental groups working to restore the river ecosystem. The money will be used for such projects as wetland restoration, tree planting, meadow management and establishing osprey nesting sites. For Texaco, the money is a drop in the river of profit flowing its way now that oil is nearing $100 a barrel on the commodities exchanges.