(Information from: The News Tribune, http://www.thenewstribune.com)
TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — A Washington state lumber company has agreed to a settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency over allegations of water pollution.
The News Tribune reported Monday that Manke Lumber will pay a $320,000 penalty and build a treatment system to fix water quality violations.
Court records indicate the EPA filed a complaint two years ago in U.S. District Court in Tacoma saying Manke violated the federal Clean Water Act by sending polluted water into the Hylebos Waterway without a proper permit.
The EPA says the company will also invest in a project designating 38 acres (15 hectares) of undeveloped land for conservation and recreation in western Washington’s Mason County, which will provide good salmon-spawning habitat and prevent pollution of a creek.
The company’s attorney could not immediately be reached for comment.