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Department of Ecology News Release - February 4, 2009
09-028
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) has levied a fine of $147,000 against a Tacoma manufacturer of concrete products for violations of its sand and gravel permit and failure to treat contaminated stormwater.
Ecology inspectors cited Hanson Pipe and Precast Inc., for 27 violations of the pollutant levels specified in its sand and gravel permit from the second quarter of 2007 through the second quarter of 2008. The company’s Tacoma plant is located at 4601 South Orchard, Tacoma.
“Hanson Pipe and Precast is not taking adequate measures to treat its stormwater and correct the violations. The company’s quarterly monitoring reports continue to show violations,” said Kelly Susewind, Ecology’s Water Quality Program manager. “These are repeat violations. Hanson has been fined for these practices in the past.”
Stormwater from the Hanson property is becoming contaminated from poor housekeeping practices by waste from the manufacturing of its products, including concrete pipes, manholes and catch basins. The company’s Web site identifies Hanson as the largest manufacturer of concrete products in North America.
Stormwater from the Hanson plant flows into Leach Creek via the city of Tacoma’s storm sewer system. Leach Creek flows into Chambers Creek (a salmon-bearing stream), which carries stormwater to Puget Sound. In times of heavy rain, part of the flow of Leach Creek is diverted by a Tacoma pumping station to Tacoma’s Thea Foss Waterway.
Ecology cited the company for failure to:
This week’s penalty notice is the second one Hanson has received since it was issued an $8,000 penalty in July 2007. Ecology also issued an administrative order at that time requiring Hanson to take eight corrective actions for violations of its sand and gravel permit. Both the administrative order and the penalty were the subjects of a settlement agreement between Hanson and Ecology in January 2008.
Hanson has 30 days to respond to the fine. The company can pay the penalty, appeal it to the state Pollution Control Hearings Board, or file a request for reconsideration with Ecology.
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Media Contact: Kim Schmanke, 360-407-6239 (desk)
For more information: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/wqhome.html
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
