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EPA Orders Cordova Processor To Halt Illegal Discharges, Proposes $22K Penalty

Release Date: 8/21/2001
Contact Information: Robert Grandinetti
[email protected]
(206) 553-1283

August 21, 2001
The Seattle office of the Environmental Protection Agency today announced that it has proposed $22,000 in penalties against North Pacific Processors, Inc. of Cordova, for illegal discharges of seafood processing wastes.
The EPA also ordered North Pacific to immediately cease the illegal discharges and come into compliance with its exisiting discharge permit.

On July 17, 2000, the EPA inspected the North Pacific facility and found that it was discharging fish processing wastes that contained chunks exceeding the one-half inch (0.5") diameter size permitted for discharge.

The penalty and order announced today are not the first violations by North Pacific. On September 11, 1992, the EPA assessed a $12,500 penalty for violations of its permit.

“North Pacific is a repeat offender of laws meant to protect the environment. They know better,” said Bub Loiselle, Manager of the EPA’s Water Quality Compliance Unit in Seattle.

“It’s no secret that the wastes these operations generate can be real threats to the environment – and to the health and quality of life of the people who live nearby.”

** On July 30, the EPA issued a stricter new general permit for all seafood processors in Alaska. For more details, please call Burney Hill at 206/553-1761.