Ballard furniture stripping company will pay $45,200 to the Department of Ecology under an agreement to settle an appeal of a larger penalty issued earlier this year for hazardous waste violations, the Department of Ecology announced on Dec 7.

The Department of Ecology fined Furniture Spa, LLC, $82,200 in April 2011 for failing to properly store and dispose of hazardous wastes. The company’s owner appealed the penalty to the Washington State Pollution Control Hearings Board. The negotiated settlement has received board approval.

Furniture Spa’s owner will pay the settlement in installments over 30 months. The company agrees to pay an additional $8,800 if it fails during that time to comply with safety and environmental practices outlined in the settlement agreement:

Provide Ecology a list describing all wastes generated at the company’s furniture refinishing facilities, how they are generated and the plans for their proper management.
Inform Ecology of any contractor engaged to strip furniture.
Allow Ecology to verify compliance with state and federal hazardous waste requirements through unannounced inspections.
“This settlement avoids expensive litigation and benefits Washington’s environment overall,” said K Seiler, who manages Ecology’s hazardous waste and toxics reduction program. “We’re pleased that Furniture Spa and its owners have committed to practices that protect public and worker safety and health, and the environment.”

Furniture Spa’s attorney Bradford Doll said, “Furniture Spa appreciates Ecology’s willingness to work with us to achieve this settlement.”

The penalty and settlement are part of Ecology’s broader efforts to reduce and prevent toxic threats to the environment.