Region 10 Settles with Port Townsend Paper Corporation (Port Townsend, WA) for CWA Violations
On February 13, 2019, Region 10 filed an Expedited Settlement Agreement (ESA) to resolve Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) violations at the pulp and paper mill operated by Port Townsend Paper Corporation in Port Townsend, Washington. SPCC deficiencies observed during the September 12, 2017 inspection included a need to revise (e.g., more information on spill prediction, secondary containment, and standard(s) for bulk storage testing) and to certify the facility?s SPCC plan. In addition, the inspector observed spills and accumulations of waste oil from tanks as well as oil from transfer operations. The area around the pulp and paper mill drains directly to Port Townsend Bay which has water quality dependent activities such as swimming, wading and kayaking as well as shellfish beds close-by. As part of the post-inspection compliance process, the company completed and certified its SPCC plan and cleaned up the spilled oil residues. The company agreed to pay an ESA-based penalty of $1,650.