Lumber Producer Settles Stormwater Suit

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Washington-based Sierra Pacific Industries Inc. has reportedly reached a settlement agreement with water conservationists after they claimed the sawmill unlawfully discharged polluted stormwater from industrial activity into the Chehalis River and Grays Harbor. 
The US District Court for the Western District of Washington was alerted Thursday that the case was settled, and the parties have until July 14 to file a proposed consent decree.
Nonprofit Twin Harbors Waterkeeper sued Sierra Pacific in December 2024 alleging that it had violated its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit under the Clean Water Act. 
Sierra Pacific Industries Inc. was said to have discharged polluted stormwater from its sawmill facility in Aberdeen, Wash., into the Chehalis River and Grays Harbor in violation of its discharge permit.
SPI's Aberdeen facility is a 50-acre sawmill, planer mill, and wood waste-fueled cogeneration plant situated near the Chehalis River.
According to BloombergLaw, the complaint by Twin Harbors Waterkeeper alleges that, among other things, Sierra Pacific violated water quality standards, failed to implement adequate best management practices and stormwater controls, failed to properly monitor its discharges, failed to keep required records, and failed to report permit violations. It seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, civil penalties, and attorneys’ fees and costs.
The case was filed in U.S. District Courts, Washington Western District Court. The Judge overseeing the case was Tiffany M. Cartwright. 

Courtesy: www.woodworkingnetwork.com