Penalty stands, payment plan negotiated in Chinook Ventures appeal

The first of 24 payments by Chinook Ventures to settle a $150,000 penalty was received by the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) earlier this month.

Chinook Ventures is located at 4029 Industrial Way in Longview, site of the former Reynolds and Longview Aluminum smelters along the Columbia River.

The fine stems from Ecology’s investigation that found the company operating without necessary permits and allowing air and water quality violations. Ecology issued the $150,000 penalty in March. Chinook Ventures appealed Ecology’s action, and through settlement talks, the two agreed on a payment plan.

Chinook Ventures will make 24 monthly installments of $6,250. According to the agreement filed with the state Pollution Control Hearings Board, the remaining balance will be due immediately if the company misses a payment.

By signing the settlement, the company also agrees to waive its right to administrative or judicial review of the penalty’s merits.

Chinook Ventures initially focused on breaking down remnants from the old smelters, and it held the appropriate air permit. Since then, its operations have evolved to include storage and transport of raw materials. Although asked several times by Ecology to do so, the company has never applied for the water quality permit necessary for these new activities.

During several unannounced inspections, Ecology found Chinook Ventures crushing and sizing anodes in buildings without emission controls and under an expired air permit. Inspectors also observed water quality violations. Materials were stored outside without adequate pollution prevention controls and products were spilled and tracked throughout the site, creating the potential for contaminating the stormwater that’s discharged directly to the river.