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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 11, 1999
99-049
CONTACT: Mary Getchell, Public Information Manager, (360) 407-6157,
Pager (360) 534-8590
Carrie Berry, Water Resources Manager, (360) 407-6653
OLYMPIA - The State Department of Ecology (Ecology) revoked Marvin Fengel’s well drilling license this month.
Ecology revoked the license issued to Fengel of Tyee Pump & Drilling in Pierce County for improperly sealing and capping wells, as well as inaccurately "tagging," or labeling, wells in Pierce and Thurston counties. The action came after repeated violations.
"Mr. Fengel has a history of well-construction violations in Western Washington," said Carrie Berry, an Ecology water resources manager. "Our concerns about the safety of people using water from those wells and potential contamination of ground and surface waters led to this decision."
Berry said it is important for potential customers of Fengel to know he does not have a license to drill wells in Washington state. However, under state law, he may drill under the direct supervision of a licensed driller. The licensed driller then assumes responsibility for constructing the well.
As the result of a previous enforcement action and a negotiated settlement, Fengel has been drilling under a conditional license issued by Ecology in February 1998. Ecology directed that, if Fengel did not comply with state drilling laws, the agency would revoke the conditional license.
"People can get sick if their wells are not constructed properly, and ground and surface waters can become polluted, causing further harm to fish and other water users," said Berry.
Fengel has 30 days to appeal Ecology’s enforcement action.
Last fall, Ecology revoked the well-drilling licenses of Corbie Chance Sr. and Corbie Chance Jr., both of Corbie Chance Drilling in Olympia, and Kirk Jeffries of Royer Park Electric in Morton for well-drilling violations.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
