In addition, the facility had been cited for violating opacity levels from its veneer dryers in 1993.
Opacity is a measure of how visible a plume of smoke is.
Since being notified of the air violations, the plywood manufacturer has added air pollution controls to its veneer dryers and hog-fuel boiler. Emission tests on the veneer dryers and the hog-fuel boiler indicate compliance with air quality requirements, said Chrissie Phelps, an air quality inspector with Ecology. Now, both stacks are equipped with modern devices that greatly reduce the amount of air pollution coming from the plant. Also last year, Ecology worked with the company to complete a new air-operating permit, which was issued in October 1998. The federally required permit organizes all the lumber company's air quality obligations into one document, and is enforceable by Ecology, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and citizens.