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Potlatch Corporation Settles EPA Complaint For Late Report Of Chemical Release

Release Date: 10/7/1999
Contact Information: Suzanne Powers & Jeff Philip
[email protected]
(360) 753-9475 & (206) 553-1465

October 7, 1999 - - - - - - - - - - 99-49



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Potlatch Corporation will pay more than $20,000 to settle an EPA complaint alleging that Potlatch's pulp and paper mill at Lewiston, Idaho, failed to make prompt notification of a chemical release to state and federal emergency officials in February 1998. That's when the mill accidentally released the foul-smelling toxic gas methyl mercaptan into the community.

The settlement agreement with Potlatch was announced today by Chuck Clarke, EPA's Northwest Regional Administrator in Seattle.

Potlatch Corporation agreed to pay $5,156 in civil penalties.

In addition, the Potlatch-EPA settlement will provide Nez Perce County and the Lewiston Fire Department with $15,870 worth of equipment and supplies to enhance their efforts in emergency planning, preparedness and response.

“Potlatch deserves some credit for approaching us before we filed the complaint,” said Clarke. “Toxic releases like this have the potential to be devastating to the surrounding community and the environment. Potlatch recognized their responsibility to the local residents and wanted to quickly reach an agreement that would support emergency preparedness in the community.”

EPA's complaint against Potlatch stemmed from federal requirements relating to releases of hazardous chemicals. Whenever such releases exceed reportable quantities, companies must make immediate notification to federal, state, and local emergency management agencies.

According to the EPA complaint, Potlatch knew last year it had a chemical release on its hands shortly after 11:00 p.m. on February 8, but did not begin notifying emergency officials until the next day. The National Response Center and Idaho’s State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) were notified late in the morning of February 9, 1998.

The federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act requires facility operators to immediately notify SERC’s and the Local Emergency Planning Committees after a release occurs. The Comprehensive Emergency Response, Compensation and Liability Act requires facility operators to immediately notify the NRC.

The Emergency Planning and Community-Right-to-Know Act was enacted after a Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, India, released toxic gas that killed 2,500 people and injured thousands more.