A Toledo-based sand and gravel business has been fined $29,000 by the Washington Department of Ecology, according to a news release.
L Rock Industries was hit with the fine after allegedly “refusing to submit required quarterly reports that monitor stormwater discharge and potential oil sheening from machinery,” the release stated.
“Despite technical assistance calls and visits, warning letters, emails and a $3,000 penalty in March of 2022, L Rock Industries has not submitted a quarterly discharge monitoring report since the first quarter of 2018,” the Department of Ecology wrote.
Periodic monitoring and quarterly reporting of stormwater discharge is required by Ecology’s sand and gravel general permit. The frequency of required monitoring can increase during the rainy season, sometimes even requiring daily reports, the release stated.
“This tracking and monitoring is important because stormwater discharge from sand and gravel operations can carry muddy water, debris and chemicals into local waterways, reducing water quality and harming aquatic life,” the Department of Ecology wrote.
The sand and gravel general permit also requires permittees to create and maintain a site management and monitoring plan, which L Rock Industries failed to complete, according to the release.
Water quality penalty payments to Ecology are placed into the state’s Coastal Protection Fund, which provides grants to public agencies and Tribes for water quality restoration projects.
L Rock Industries has 30 days to appeal the penalty to the Pollution Control Hearings Board.
