Forks Sand & Gravel fined $13,000 in water quality case

Washington State Department of Ecology

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Department of Ecology News Release - November 7, 2007

07-332

Forks Sand & Gravel fined $13,000 in water quality case

OLYMPIA - The Department of Ecology (Ecology) has fined Forks Sand and Gravel $13,000 for several water quality violations at its concrete batch plant at 112 2nd Ave. Ecology also issued an order, spelling out corrective steps the company must take.

The problems violated a statewide Sand and Gravel Permit - under which the plant operates - that sets conditions to prevent surface water and ground water pollution.

"Forks Sand and Gravel must plan and adopt the practices expected of all concrete-making operations," said Garin Schrieve, Ecology's regional water quality program supervisor. "The proper water quality protections should be a daily part of producing this product."

During an April 2007 inspection, Ecology staff observed several violations:

The site showed evidence of continuing oil spills and leaks - from trucks and other equipment - that had not been cleaned up.
Caustic water from the concrete-loading area that should be directed to lined treatment ponds was allowed to pool on the ground.
A lined treatment pond could not function properly because of a build-up of solids in one section.
The plant lacked a monitoring plan that suited the type and amount of discharges from the site's operations. A 2003 inspection report also noted the same deficiency in the company's monitoring plan.

Ecology's order directs Forks Sand and Gravel to take the required actions to prevent oil and fuel leaks and to clean up soil contaminated by past spills. The company must immediately shift all equipment washing to an area that drains to treatment ponds, to build such an area, if needed, and remove the accumulated material in the ponds. The firm also must submit an updated monitoring plan.

The order sets a deadline for each action.

Forks Sand and Gravel may request an Ecology review of penalty and order or appeal them to the Washington Pollution Control Hearings Board within 30 days.

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Media Contact: Kim Schmanke, 360-407-6239

For more about sand and gravel permits:

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/sand/index.html