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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 11, 1999
99-048
Contact: Joye Redfield-Wilder, public information manager, (509) 575-2610
KLICKITAT - A state board has upheld a $20,300 civil penalty issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) affirming that asbestos was not properly managed when the owner of the former Champion Sawmill demolished part of the mill.
Gary Engman, president of TimberCreek Associates, Inc., appealed the penalty before the Pollution Control Hearings Board during a hearing held in Lacey in January.
Asbestos materials were exposed to the weather when the roof of the mill's powerhouse building was removed in the summer of 1997. Under state and federal laws, Engman was required to inspect the property for asbestos, notify Ecology of his intent to demolish a structure, and remove any asbestos before any demolition work began.
The penalty was issued last year when he failed to satisfy any of these requirements. Engman faces an additional penalty of $4,000 for failing to meet deadlines outlined in an order to do work in the powerhouse.
"Because asbestos can cause asbestosis, lung cancer and other cancers when inhaled, it is very important that it be protected and not become airborne," said Donna Smith, with Ecology's air program. "Ecology and other agencies provided Mr. Engman with the technical information he needed to be in compliance with asbestos regulations."
In affirming the penalty, the Pollution Control Hearings Board cited as unreasonable Engman's "failure to cooperate with the various governmental entities that sought to prevent this risk."
Smith noted pipe insulation and some asbestos-containing insulation from around the boilers has since been removed from the powerhouse. "We do not know what, if any, asbestos remains in the structure," she said. "It is the property owner's responsibility to effectively manage the site."
In addition to asbestos, other hazardous substances have been identified at the site, including pentacholorphenol, a wood preservative, petroleum products and solvents.
Ecology is in the process of negotiating with former mill operator Champion International Corporation to clean up the site. In addition, Ecology has ordered Engman to determine the extent of soil and groundwater contamination, and to prepare a plan for cleaning it up. Engman purchased the Champion property in April 1997.
"We're working with Champion to find cleanup solutions," said Mark Peterschmidt, with Ecology’s toxics-cleanup program. "Unfortunately, we haven't reached an agreement with Mr. Engman to gain access to the site."
Funded through an Ecology grant, the Environment Group of Klickitat plans to survey area residents and former sawmill employees, seeking more information on potential contamination at the site.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
