NEWS RELEASE
March 17, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Dan A. Nelson, ORCAA Public Information Officer, Ext. 111
Ocean Protein's Odors Violations Settled: Business and Residents to Benefit
HOQUIAM - The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency and Ocean Protein, LLC, have signed an agreement that settles the multitude of odor violations filed against the company last year while allowing the company to move forward with significant improvements in odor control technologies for the coming year.
The agreement, reached March 16 at a meeting with the state Pollution Control Hearing Board, settles the $750,000 civil penalties issued to Ocean Protein for odor violations. Under the terms of the settlement, Ocean Protein will pay ORCAA $250,000, with $75,000 of that amount earmarked for air quality improvement projects in the City of Hoquiam. Another $250,000 of the fine will be directed back to Ocean Protein to help fund improvements in the business's odor control devices and practices. The finally $250,000 portion of the fine will be suspended provided the company meets all terms of this agreement and that they operate within the requirements of their air discharge permit.
One of the terms to be met is that Ocean Protein must secure a new permit to build and operate a more extensive and effective emissions control system at their facility.
"We're very pleased," said Richard A. Stedman, Executive Director of ORCAA. "The settlement accounts for past violations while allowing the facility to apply a portion of the overall penalty toward the purchase of new, more effective, odor control equipment."
Ocean Protein, LLC, received approval from ORCAA to operate a fishmeal processing facility at its Hoquiam location in May, 2005. Under terms of the permit issued by ORCAA, Ocean Protein was required to contain air emissions, including odors. During that first season of operation (roughly May through August), however, ORCAA received more than 700 complaints from residents - and other businesses - surrounding the plant. The resolution crafted during the meeting with the Pollution Control Hearing Board settled the issue of fines levied by ORCAA for Ocean Proteins' violations of the original permit. Ocean Protein has since hired an internationally respected expert on industrial odor control to develop plans for a new control system.
The company has submitted an application for a new permit to install the new technology. ORCAA will soon open a 30-day public comment period, which will culminate in a public hearing, tentatively slated to be held in the Hoquiam High School Auditorium in late April. Dr. Mike Ruby, the independent consultant hired by Ocean Protein, designed the new odor control system. Ruby is well respected and trusted as an impartial expert by both business and government leaders.
The new system he recommended for Ocean Protein is the result of a rigorous design process. It relies on technologies and processes that have been used effectively at other facilities for years. ORCAA will notify the public of the upcoming public hearing, as soon as the dates are set and agency staff have issued a preliminary determination on the permit application.
The application, the preliminary determination and all related materials will also be available to the public for review and comment during the 30-day period. Copies will be posted online, at local libraries, and at the offices of both Ocean Protein and ORCAA.
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The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency protects and enhances air quality for citizens in Thurston, Mason, Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, and Pacific counties by enforcing federal, state and local air quality regulations. If you have questions specific to the topic above, or just general questions about local air quality, contact ORCAA at (360) 586-1044 or 1-800-422-5623, or visit ORCAA's website, www.orcaa.org.