The Washington Department of Ecology issued $380,900 in penalties of $1,000 or more October through December in 2016. A detailed list of the violations and resulting penalties is available online.
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 for October - December 2016
| County | City | Date Issued | Recipients | Description | Amount | Media contact |
| Benton | Richland | 11/1/16 | PermaFix Nortwest | Agreed to pay reduced fine for improperly handling mixed dangerous and radioactive waste. The company treats, stores and disposes of various types of dangerous waste at its north Richland plant. It handles waste from a number of sites, including the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. Penalty paid. News Release | $36,400 | Randy Bradbury, 509-372-7954 |
| Clark | Vancouver | 11/1/16 | East Fisher Quarry | Failed to maintain and implement best management practices to prevent stormwater runoff as outlined in permit and failed to modifying Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan as required. | $1,000 | Dave Bennett, 360-407-6239 |
| Franklin | Pasco | 11/3/16 | Freeze Pack, LLC | Violated permit by releasing too much air pollution including carbon monoxide from natural gas boilers. The company was also ordered to apply for the appropriate air permit. | $7,500 | Brook Beeler, 509-329-3478 |
| Grant | Royal City | 12/14/16 | Washington Fruit and Produce | Burned tree branches and roots without a permit and burned prohibited materials like metal, treated wood and plastic. News release | $24,000 | Brook Beeler, 509-329-3478 |
| Jefferson | Port Townsend | 11/8/16 | Port Townsend Paper | Violated wastewater discharge permit limits for biochemical oxygen demand and suspended solids in multiple effluent releases, due to problems with treatment facility operations. Penalty paid. | $4,000 | Dave Bennett, 360-407-6239 |
| King | Seattle | 11/22/16 | King County Wastewater Treatment Division | Allowed discharges into Elliott Bay from the Denny/Elliott West combined sewer overflow treatment plant that violated acidity limits in Feb. and Dec. 2015. Penalty paid. | $4,000 | Larry Altose, 425-649-7009 |
| King | White Center | 10/24/16 | La Mexicana, Inc. | Spilled 175 gallons of vegetable oil on Oct. 30, 2015, to a stormwater retention pond via storm drains. Did not report the incident. Reimbursed $333,729 in state cleanup costs, including treatment of over 80 oiled waterfowl. Assessed $4,813.83 for damage to public and natural resources. News release | $2,000 | Larry Altose, 425-649-7009 |
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