Department of Ecology News Release - November 15, 2020

Summary of environmental penalties issued for the 3rd quarter of 2020

OLYMPIA  – 

The Washington Department of Ecology issued $7,000 in penalties of $1,000 or more from July through September of 2020.  

Ecology works with thousands of businesses and individuals to help them comply with state laws. Penalties are issued in cases where non-compliance continues after Ecology has provided technical assistance or warnings, or for particularly serious violations. The money owed from penalties may be reduced from the issued amount due to settlement or court rulings. Funds collected go to the state’s general fund or to dedicated pollution prevention accounts

Ecology strives to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s environment and promote wise management for current and future generations. When someone pollutes Washington’s land, air or waters, Ecology enforces state and federal regulations in hopes of changing behavior and deterring future violations. 

Penalties were issued as follows:

Penalties for July-September 2020

County

City

Date issued

Recipient

Description

Amount

Media contact

Clallam

Port Angeles

8-6-2020

Bruce Alexander

In August 2018, the 74-foot wood-hulled former fishing vessel Pacific Sunrise sank and discharged oil to Port Angeles Harbor at the Boat Haven Marina.

$1,500

Jeff Zenk

360-280-3704

Douglas

East Wentachee

9-17-2020

Angel Avelar

Young Bucks Landscaping

On Nov. 22, 2019, Douglas Co. Fire District 2 reported an illegal fire in the Urban Growth Area of East Wenatchee, which involved burning landscaping debris that caused smoke impacts to the surrounding neighborhood. Investigation indicated landscaping materials were hauled from business outside UGA and burned for disposal. The penalty followed a notice of violation issued in December 2019. Since 2016, the landscaper has been notified of violations and offered technical assistance due to ongoing illegal burning at this property.

$3,500

Joye Redfield-Wilder

509-961-6277

Jefferson

Port Townsend

9-4-2020

Port Townsend Paper

Spilled approximately 11,750 gallons of wastewater into Port Townsend Bay, caused by a break in the 24-inch main sewer line, on May 26, 2020.

$2,000

Jeff Zenk

360-280-3704

 

Missed penalty from April-June 2020

This penalty was unreported in the second-quarter penalty summary for 2020

County

City

Date issued

Recipient

Description

Amount

Media contact

King

Bellevue

6-6-2020

Kiewitt Hoffman Joint Venture

 

Failed to prevent stormwater runoff while chipping and grinding concrete on the I-90 bridge for the Sound Transit East Link Extension. As a result of a forecasted rain event, caustic wastewater mixed with stormwater and drained into Lake Washington. Penalty paid.

$1,500

Larry Altose

206-920-2600

Contact information

Joye Redfield-Wilder
Communications Manager
509-961-6277