Cold Storage & Food Warehouse Violates Clean Water Act
A cold storage and food warehouse in Lynden is agreeing to pay $41,500 for violating the federal Clean Water Act, according to the U.S. EPA.
Americold Logistics was fined for violations including discharging pollutants into Fishtrap Creek, which flows into the Nooksack River, reported the Bellingham Herald.
According to the U.S. EPA, Americold violated the industrial storm water general permit from the Washington State Department of Ecology, which carries out the Clean Water Act for Washington State.
In the EPA order, the agency said the Lynden facility failed to: implement corrective action upon exceeding benchmarks; did not document monthly inspections; and that it had an inadequate stormwater pollution prevention plan.
"On Mar. 9, 2020, EPA Region 10 filed a consent agreement and final order resolving violations of the Clean Water Act by Americold Logistics, LLC - Lynden, in Lynden, Washington. The company, which warehouses perishable goods, discharged pollutants to Fishtrap Creek – which flows into the Nooksack River - and was found to be operating in violation of the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Industrial Stormwater General Permit," said the EPA press release. "Here's a link to the consent agreement and final order: Americold - Lynden"
In response, the company agreed to develop and implement plans to reduce the pollutants leaving its facility, added the EPA.
“Americold has worked quickly to resolve the issues identified by the EPA. We strive to be a good neighbor in the community, and we are disappointed that we did not meet the standards that we strive for,” the company said in a prepared statement to The Bellingham Herald. “We are committed to complying with all EPA standards and continuously improving our processes to do so.”