General Wood Preserving Company, Hazardous Waste Disposal, NC 1989

Leland, NC – General Wood Preserving Company, Inc., one of North Carolina’s largest wood treatment facilities, was convicted of illegally disposing of hazardous waste in 1989, according to court records unsealed by GrimyTimes. The company, which manufactures products including wooden utility poles at its Leland plant, admitted to knowingly dumping dangerous substances without the required permits.

On February 15, 1989, General Wood Preserving waived indictment and entered a guilty plea to a single count of violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The plea detailed the company’s unlawful disposal of arsenic, chromium, creosote, and pentachlorophenol – all highly toxic materials commonly used in wood preservation processes.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) investigation revealed a pattern of non-compliance with federal environmental regulations. Instead of adhering to strict guidelines for hazardous waste management, the company opted for cheaper, illegal disposal methods, posing a significant threat to both human health and the surrounding environment. Local residents had previously voiced concerns regarding potential contamination of groundwater and soil, prompting the EPA to launch a thorough investigation.

The sentencing, handed down the same day as the guilty plea, included a $150,000 fine, reduced from a potential higher amount due to the company’s early admission of guilt. Additionally, General Wood Preserving was ordered to pay previously assessed administrative penalties levied by the North Carolina Department of Human Resources, a $200 contribution to the Crime Victim’s Fund, and was placed on a 36-month probation period. As part of the sentencing, the court mandated the company publish public apologies in local newspapers, acknowledging its wrongdoing.

The case highlights the importance of stringent enforcement of environmental regulations, particularly in industrial sectors dealing with hazardous materials. While the financial penalties and probationary period served as a deterrent, critics argue that the consequences were insufficient given the severity of the environmental damage potentially caused by the illegal dumping. GrimyTimes is continuing to investigate the long-term effects of the contamination stemming from the General Wood Preserving facility.

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Key Facts

Defendant: General Wood Preserving Company, Inc.
Location: Leland, North Carolina
Crime: Illegal disposal of hazardous waste
Date of Plea: February 15, 1989
Hazardous Substances: Arsenic, chromium, creosote, and pentachlorophenol
Statute Violated: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A)
Penalties: $150,000 fine (reduced from potential higher amount), administrative penalties, $200 to Crime Victim’s Fund, 36 months probation, and published apology.

GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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