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Department of Ecology News Release - September 12, 2007
07-258
OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) today fined Manke Lumber of Tacoma $16,000 for violating terms of its stormwater permit which may have led to further contamination of the Hylebos Waterway.
The company is a sawmilling and wood pellet manufacturer operating on the industrial tideflats. It is subject to the terms of an industrial stormwater permit, which require the company to develop a stormwater pollution prevention plan and use best management practices to keep pollution from entering the stormwater system and the nearby Hylebos Waterway.
The fine issued today results from the findings of two Ecology inspections conducted in September 2005 and June 2007. Both visits uncovered evidence that important actions to contain soil, wood debris and industrial fluids were not taken, proper stormwater monitoring and reporting was not being done and oil staining on the ground was evident at several locations throughout the worksite.
An administrative order and penalty were issued in 2002 requiring the company to address some of the same issues.
"Ecology is concerned by these repeat violations," said Garin Schrieve, a manager for Ecology's Water Quality program. "Stormwater permits are intended to safeguard the environment because they provide clear steps for how to properly manage waste and byproducts that have the potential to pollute stormwater systems and the bodies of water to which they drain. Hopefully this penalty will be taken seriously by Manke, and the company will make the needed changes."
Manke Lumber has 30 days to file an appeal with the state Pollution Control Hearings Board or make an application for relief directly with Ecology.
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Media Contact: Kim Schmanke, 360-407-6239
For more information about stormwater permits: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/permits/
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
