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EPA settles with Washington Crab Producers, Inc., for “Community- Right-to-Know” violations at Westport, WA Processing Facility

Release Date: 09/03/2014
Contact Information: Hanady Kader, EPA Public Affairs, 206-553-0454, kader.hanady@epa.gov

(Seattle – Sept. 3, 2014) Washington Crab Producers, Inc., owner and operator of a seafood processing facility in Westport, Washington, will pay a $16,551 penalty and provide a high-tech thermal imaging camera to the Westport Fire Department to settle alleged violations of the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, known as EPCRA.

EPA documents allege that Washington Crab Producers, Inc., stored anhydrous ammonia and nitrogen gas above EPCRA threshold quantities at their Westport facility during calendar year 2012. During that time, they failed to file the required emergency and hazardous chemical inventory forms on time with the state emergency response commission, the local emergency planning committee, and the local fire department, as required by law.

According to Kelly McFadden, Manager of EPA’s Pesticides and Toxics Enforcement program in Seattle, Washington, diligent reporting at facilities handling large amounts of toxic and hazardous chemicals can save lives by aiding in community planning and emergency responses.

"Accidents can and do happen," said EPA’s McFadden. "When responders arrive at a facility, they need to know what they’re dealing with to stay safe. We’re trying to prevent a serious industrial accident from becoming a community tragedy."

According to legal documents filed with the case, Washington Crab Producers, Inc. has since corrected the violations.

To learn more about EPA’s work to keep communities safe under EPCRA, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/epcra/what-epcra