LYNDEN, Wash. — Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) announced today, December 5th, they have issued $36,400 in penalties of $1,000 or more during the third quart of 2022 (July through September). Included in the list of 8 individuals and businesses to have received a fine was Premier Packing, a fish processor located in Lynden.
According to Ecology’s announcement, on March 24th, Premier Packing discharged fish skin and bones to the sanitary sewer system, which was caught in the influent screen for the City of Lynden’s wastewater treatment plant. This is the sixth time since 2017 Premier Packing has failed to screen fish tissue from their wastewater as required. Premier Packing was fined $7,000 as a result of the incident.
The money owed from penalties may be reduced from the issued amount due to settlement or court rulings. Funds collected go to the state’s general fund or to dedicated pollution prevention accounts.