HOQUIAM, Wash. A Washington company is accused of dumping hundreds of thousands of gallons of waste into a populated harbor, and federal investigators have evidence of the alleged crime on tape.
Federal agents raid the processing plant.
On land, in the air and on the water, a fish-processing company called "Ocean Protein" is in big trouble with the feds.
Earlier this month, federal agents led by the EPA raided a new fish processing plant in Hoquiam. Neighbors wondered then if it related to their complaints about the smell.
"It makes people nauseous. You can taste it in your mouth and sinuses and it is the most putrid smell you ever smelled," said Dave Forbes.
Ocean Protein processes fish parts into fish meal, used in animal feed. But it isn't the smell that prompted the federal investigation.
According to search warrants obtained by KING 5, agents were tipped off that Ocean Protein was dumping foul waste into Grays Harbor, an active and populated seaport on the Washington coast.
Charging documents say tanker trucks hauled the plant's stench byproducts to three company-owned ships, then hoses transferred the waste to ship holding tanks.
Several times, the Coast Guard says it watched and videotaped the company's ships as they dumped waste in Grays Harbor.
One Coast Guard crew "reported that the waste smelled like rotten meat and it was so bad they all almost vomited."
Ocean Protein' has problems on land, too. The regional Clean Air Agency is now seeking more than a half million dollars in fines and next week expects to ask a judge to shut the plant down.
"We've had almost 500 complaints from the local area residents around the community," said Richard Stedman, Olympic Clean Air Agency.
Ocean Protein generates nearly 200,000 gallons of waste a day. Right now, there are no criminal charges filed, but the feds are investigating criminal violations of both the clean water and ocean dumping act.
Related Story
Fish plant raided on Washington coast
KING 5 was unable to reach the company's lawyer for comment.
Earlier this month, a county judge ruled he would shut down the plant if it couldn't control its odor problem.
Story from www.king5.com
Federal agents raid the processing plant.
On land, in the air and on the water, a fish-processing company called "Ocean Protein" is in big trouble with the feds.
Earlier this month, federal agents led by the EPA raided a new fish processing plant in Hoquiam. Neighbors wondered then if it related to their complaints about the smell.
"It makes people nauseous. You can taste it in your mouth and sinuses and it is the most putrid smell you ever smelled," said Dave Forbes.
Ocean Protein processes fish parts into fish meal, used in animal feed. But it isn't the smell that prompted the federal investigation.
According to search warrants obtained by KING 5, agents were tipped off that Ocean Protein was dumping foul waste into Grays Harbor, an active and populated seaport on the Washington coast.
Charging documents say tanker trucks hauled the plant's stench byproducts to three company-owned ships, then hoses transferred the waste to ship holding tanks.
Several times, the Coast Guard says it watched and videotaped the company's ships as they dumped waste in Grays Harbor.
One Coast Guard crew "reported that the waste smelled like rotten meat and it was so bad they all almost vomited."
Ocean Protein' has problems on land, too. The regional Clean Air Agency is now seeking more than a half million dollars in fines and next week expects to ask a judge to shut the plant down.
"We've had almost 500 complaints from the local area residents around the community," said Richard Stedman, Olympic Clean Air Agency.
Ocean Protein generates nearly 200,000 gallons of waste a day. Right now, there are no criminal charges filed, but the feds are investigating criminal violations of both the clean water and ocean dumping act.
Related Story
Fish plant raided on Washington coast
KING 5 was unable to reach the company's lawyer for comment.
Earlier this month, a county judge ruled he would shut down the plant if it couldn't control its odor problem.
Story from www.king5.com
