Environmental penalties for third quarter 2017

Olympia WA (11/6/2017) – The Washington Department of Ecology issued $542,900 in penalties of $1,000 or more July through September 2017. A detailed list of the violations and resulting penalties is available online (http://www.ecy.wa.gov/news/2017/083.html). A large penalty to King County for sewage spilling from the West Point treatment plant accounted for $361,000 of the total amount of fines for the third quarter.

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.

Contact: Joye Redfield-Wilder, 509-575-2610, @ecycentral