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WASHINGTON CHEMICAL INC. EX-PRESIDENT CHARGED IN WASTE CASE

Release Date: 08/20/2001
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FOR RELEASE: MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2001
WASHINGTON CHEMICAL INC. EX-PRESIDENT CHARGED IN WASTE CASE

Luke C. Hester 202-564-7818/hester.luke@epa.gov


Donn Herron of Spokane, Wash., was indicted on August 7 on charges he unlawfully stored, treated and disposed of hazardous waste in violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. He allegedly engaged in sham recycling activities at Washington Chemical Inc. (WCI), Northwest Entek Inc., CXD, Inc., Filtradyne Inc. and other businesses and subsidiaries he owned and operated in the Spokane area. WCI, which served as the center of Herron’s alleged illegal activities, operated as a federally permitted Transportation, Storage and Disposal (TSD) facility for more than 20 years. The indictment says that the defendant stored hazardous wastes, that included several types of spent solvents, treated these hazardous wastes by recycling and illegally disposing of hazardous waste on his property. The illegal disposal of hazardous waste can contaminate drinking water and pose a threat to human health and safety. If convicted, Herron faces a maximum sentence of up to 15 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $750,000. This case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and Region 10, and the Washington State Department of Ecology. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Spokane.

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