Emerald Kalama

Comment on Emerald Kalama's hazardous waste permit renewal

We are working with EPA to renew Emerald Kalama's hazardous waste permit.

Comment period: Sept. 15 - Oct. 31, 2022
We invite you to review and comment send comments to EPA on Emerald Kalama's draft hazardous waste permit renewal.

When the comment period ends, we and EPA will review the comments received and make a final decision on the permit.

We regulate water, hazardous waste, and cleanup activities at the Emerald Kalama Chemical plant.

Cleanup activities at Fire Mountain Farms sites

What's going on now?

Cleanup activites are complete at the Big Hanaford and Newaukum Prairie locations. Portions of the Burnt Ridge site are still undergoing closure and cleanup activities.

Waste was found to not contain enough harmful chemicals to be considered hazardous

In 2020, we and EPA approved petitions that allow Emerald Kalama (Emerald) and Fire Mountain Farms (FMF) to change how they manage waste being stored at three locations in Lewis County.

While state and federal law currently consider the waste to be “listed” as hazardous waste, the companies collected data that shows it does not contain enough harmful chemicals to be considered dangerous. The companies are removing and properly disposing of the delisted mixed material and any wastewater, solids, and contaminated soil as they clean up the three storage facilities.

Facility information

Emerald Kalama began operating an organic chemical plant in 1962 and currently has about 215 employees at it's Kalama plant. It processes toluene into chemicals for food, flavor, fragrance, and pharmaceutical industries.

It produces about 194,000 tons of chemicals each year.
Wastewater from the chemical-making process is treated and sent to the Columbia River. This makes up approximately 2 percent of all the wastewater from this facility.
About 98 percent of what is sent to the Columbia River is non-contact cooling water.

Permit information

Water quality permit
- Support document
The hazardous waste permit it is available by request. Contact Angelina Ward at angelina.ward@ecy.wa.gov or 360-407-6916.

The Southwest Clean Air Agency regulates the plant's air quality activities. Visit the Southwest Clean Air Agency website or call 360-574-3058 for more information.

Emerald Kalama Contacts

Company website
Facility phone: 360-673-2550
Location: 1296 Third St. NW, Kalama, Wash.

Contact information

Greg Gould
Environmental Engineer
greg.gould@ecy.wa.gov
Phone: 360-819-6426

Were you able to find what you were looking for today?*:	Yes No Not sure
What were you trying to find?*:
Please describe your experience. What was challenging? What was helpful? *:	Please include details that will help us address any issues you're reporting. NOTE: There is a 1,500 character limit (including spaces) on this form field.
Was the search tool helpful to you? *:	Yes No I didn't use Search.
How can we improve our website?:	Optional. If you have suggestions, we'd like to hear them! NOTE: There is a 1,500 character limit (including spaces) on this form field.
Your name:	Please include contact information if you'd like a reply.
Email:	If you’d like a reply, please provide an email address.
Phone number:	( ) - Second three digits Last four digits If you’d like us to call you, please provide a phone number.
Which best describes your role in visiting our site today?*:	Business / Consultant / Contractor Government - Local Government - State Government - Federal Government - Tribal Scientist / Researcher Non-profit Washington resident / Public Educator Student Job seeker Ecology employee
PleaseLeaveBlank:	Are you a robot? If not, please do not enter anything in this field.
	ignore
	ignore