Cd'A company pays $222K EPA penalty

COEUR d'ALENE — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday that Western Timber Products of Coeur d'Alene has agreed to pay a $222,400 penalty for Clean Water Act violations.

During inspections in May 2019 and January 2021, the EPA found the company failed to obtain the required Clean Water Act permits for timber processing facilities it operates in Council and Weiser, a press release said.

The Council facility discharged both wastewater and stormwater without a permit and the Weiser facility discharged stormwater without a permit, according to the press release.

“Preventing excessive pollutants from entering canals, creeks and rivers ensures healthy ecosystems for humans and aquatic life,” said Ed Kowalski, director of EPA Region 10’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division.

In separate EPA orders for the Council and Weiser facilities, the company has agreed to obtain the required permits for both facilities and to conduct regular monitoring of stormwater.

Western Timber Products also agreed to submit stormwater evaluation reports, revise its stormwater pollution prevention plans, provide documented annual training for its employees, and submit progress reports.

Western Timber Products declined to comment Wednesday when contacted via phone by The Press.