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Department of Ecology News Release - Nov. 12, 2003
03-188
BELLINGHAM - The Washington Department of Ecology has issued a penalty of $49,500 to Mid-Mac Enterprises of Bellingham for a fuel spill in May.
A Mid-Mac tanker trailer carrying 8,200 gallons of gasoline and diesel from a Ferndale refinery left the road and crashed in the 1400 block of West Axton Road the morning of May 16. About 1,050 gallons of fuel spilled into Deer Creek.
Fumes and other health concerns prompted evacuation of about 100 homes in the vicinity. Many of the 200 to 300 evacuees were unable to return to their homes until the following day.
"The penalty to Mid-Mac is based on potential human health threats and harm to the environment from the fuel spill. The company also failed to immediately notify Ecology and the state's Emergency Management office," said Dale Jensen, manager of Ecology's spills program.
The Washington State Patrol determined that, at the time of the accident, Mid-Mac's employee was operating the vehicle in excess of the speed limit of 35 miles per hour. In examining the accident and vehicle, the State Patrol also found that the rear brakes of the tractor-trailer were not properly adjusted, possibly contributing to the accident. The driver was cited by the State Patrol for negligent driving.
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Contact: Joan Pelley, Public Information Officer, 360-738-6247
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
