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Department of Ecology News Release - October 26, 2004
04-197
OLYMPIA - Longview Fibre has been fined $36,500 by the state Department of Ecology (Ecology) for discharging partially treated waste water into the Columbia River.
The water was dirty from the mill's pulp-making operations. It contained suspended particles and had oxygen-depleting characteristics that can harm receiving waters. Clean, healthy water contains ample oxygen to support aquatic life.
The discharge occurred on June 12 and 13 after two pieces of equipment failed at the same time, leading to stronger waste water being produced than the plant's system could handle.
"We are satisfied that Longview Fibre has made operational changes to prevent problems like this from happening again," said Cullen Stephenson, who manages the unit that oversees industrial permits.
Stephenson said Ecology fined the company because the pollution event was a significant violation of the plant's permit that is designed to protect water quality.
The permit allows the plant to discharge treated waste water into the Columbia River.
Longview Fibre has 30 days to appeal the penalty to the state Pollution Control Hearings Board.
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Contact: Sandy Howard, public information manager, 360-407-6239
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
