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Department of Ecology News Release - November 26, 2007
07-350
OLYMPIA – A shipyard penalized in 2005 for sandblasting vessels over open water is being fined again by the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology). Jackpot Industries, Inc. is now subject to a $23,000 fine for the latest violation in the harbor in the Willapa River.
Ecology spill responders following up on a citizen complaint on Sept. 9, 2007, found Jackpot Industries workers sandblasting over open waters at the Port of Willapa Harbor, with the resulting grit polluting the water below. Sandblast grit contains high levels of heavy metals that can contaminate water and sediments and harm fish.
This was a violation of Ecology’s October 2005 administrative order requiring Jackpot Industries to cease all repair and maintenance work (unless conducted entirely inside the vessel or inside a building) until receiving coverage under a state-issued National Pollutant Discharge Eliminations System permit for shipyards.
Shipyard permits are individually written and site-specific. The permit defines acceptable levels of stormwater discharge and best management practices for preventing pollution.
“Jackpot Industries has been made aware of its responsibilities but continues to ignore the law,” said Garin Schrieve, regional water quality section manager for Ecology. “When companies repeat the same violations, our policy is to escalate the consequences.”
Jackpot Industries officials have known about the need for a permit since late 1997.
At that time, an Ecology inspector was called to Jackpot Industries’ operations to investigate a complaint about over-water sandblasting. Ecology determined Jackpot needed coverage under a discharge permit and explained the requirements to company representatives and Port of Willapa Harbor officials.
Sandblast grit samples taken in 1998 registered high concentrations of heavy metals, such as copper, lead and zinc. The shipyard voluntarily cleaned up its maintenance yard, resulting in the disposal of 115 tons of sandblast grit. However, Jackpot Industries did not apply for the shipyard permit.
In 2005, Ecology inspectors observed Jackpot Industries workers sandblasting a fishing vessel tied to the Port dock. This violation resulted in a $10,000 penalty and administrative order requiring disposal of contaminated soils, evaluation of the Willapa River for possible contamination and application for the discharge permit.
Jackpot Industries finished paying the penalty in April 2007 but did not apply for the permit, nor did the company provide evidence of properly disposing of soil contaminated by sandblast grit.
The company has 30 days to appeal the fine, file an application for relief or pay the full penalty.
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Media Contact: Kim Schmanke, 360-407-6239 or kisc461@ecy.wa.gov
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
