The price tag is growing on the value of legal actions spawned by the death of 38,000 fish in the Ogeechee River two years ago.

King America Finishing, which already has paid confidential settlements to at least 60 property owners downstream from its Screven County fabric finishing plant and a $1 million penalty to the state, has agreed to spend another $5 million to make peace with environmental groups. The plant employs nearly 500 workers in the southeast Georgia area around Statesboro.