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EPA reaches agreement with Wisconsin Veneer and Plywood on clean-air violations

Release Date: 04/16/2009
Contact Information: William Omohundro, 312-353-8254, omohundro.william@epa.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 09-OPA067

CHICAGO (April 16, 2009) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has reached an agreement with Wisconsin Veneer and Plywood on clean-air violations at the company's wood veneer, plywood and lumber manufacturing plant at 610 Railroad St., Mattoon, Wis.

The agreement, which includes a $5,000 penalty and a $49,736 environmental project, resolves EPA allegations that Wisconsin Veneer and Plywood failed to comply with conditions of its state operating permit.

For its environmental project, the company has installed a closed loop dust handling system to help eliminate potential fugitive dust from fine sawdust at its Newberry, Mich., lumber plant.

Inhaling high concentrations of dust can affect children, the elderly and people with heart and lung diseases the most.

Information about EPA Region 5's air enforcement program is at www.epa.gov/region5/air/enforce/index.html. Potential environmental violations may be reported at https://www.epa.gov/compliance/complaints.