Chinook Ventures has agreed to pay the state Department of Ecology $150,000 after the state Pollution Control Hearings Board denied the Longview company’s appeal of environmental pollution fines, the agency announced Monday.

Ecology imposed the fine in March, saying the company operated without permits and allowed air and water quality violations.

Chinook Ventures, which bought the 416-acre from Reynolds Metals Co. site in 2004, is midway through a six-year, multimillion dollar environmental cleanup of the site, which was contaminated during 60 years of aluminum smelting. Reynolds polluted the groundwater with hazardous sulfate, fluoride and cyanide.

Trying to restore the site and open a private port and processing facility, Chinook initially focused on breaking down remnants from the old smelters and had obtained the proper air permit to do so, according to the Ecology.

Since then, Chinook’s operations have evolved to include storage and transport of raw materials. However, despite Ecology’s urging, the company hasn’t applied for the necessary water quality permit for those activities, according to an Ecology press release.

During several unannounced inspections over the last couple years, state inspectors discovered Chinook was crushing and sizing carbon anodes — used in the production of aluminum — without emission controls, working under an expired air permit, according to the agency.

Inspectors also saw materials stored outside without adequate pollution prevention controls. Products were spilled and tracked throughout the site, creating the potential for contaminating the stormwater that’s discharged directly to the river.

The DOE began receiving complaints in 2006 from workers and other businesses on the riverfront who were concerned about airborne dust particles, caused by Chinook’s crushing the highly toxic steel anodes.

By agreeing to a settlement with Ecology, Chinook Ventures also agreed to waive its right to administrative or judicial review of the penalty’s merits. This month, the company sent the agency its first of 24 payments in the amount of $6,250. The remaining balance will be due immediately if the company misses a payment, the press release said.

Chinook also must pay a $92,000 fine the Southwest Clean Air Agency levied against the company in February. The Clean Air Agency said Chinook failed to properly remove asbestos and obtain permits to control chemical emissions during the site cleanup.

Related articles:

Chinook Ventures to appeal $150,000 state fine  (April 30)

State fines Chinook Ventures for permitting violations  (March 11)