Kodiak, AK – North Pacific Seafoods, a Seattle-based subsidiary of Japanese corporation Marubeni, has been sentenced to three years of probation and a $205,000 penalty for illegally dumping ammonia into the Kodiak city sewer system and, potentially, into St. Paul Harbor. The sentencing, handed down on March 11, 2014, in federal district court for the District of Alaska, concludes a case brought forth by a joint investigation between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC).
The incident stemmed from a November 29, 2011 discharge of approximately 40 pounds of ammonia waste from the refrigeration system at North Pacific Seafoods’ Alaska Pacific Seafoods facility in Kodiak. The potent odor immediately alerted employees at the Kodiak sewage plant, prompting a call to the Kodiak Fire Department to investigate the source. Initially, the facility’s chief engineer reportedly denied any discharge, but a subsequent investigation by sewer employees traced the ammonia back to the Alaska Pacific Seafoods plant, leading to an eventual admission.
According to prosecutors, the ammonia discharge effectively neutralized the secondary treatment process within the Kodiak sewer system, resulting in a violation of its Clean Water Act permit. The EPA and ADEC investigation further revealed evidence suggesting ongoing, unauthorized discharges of ammonia directly into St. Paul Harbor, both prior to and following the sewer incident. While North Pacific Seafoods disputes the legality of the prior discharges, they have agreed to prohibit such releases in the future.
Legal Ramifications & Penalties
North Pacific Seafoods pled guilty to violating the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(B)) and related state regulations, specifically 18 AAC 83405. The company’s penalty includes a $205,000 criminal fine, with $55,000 earmarked for the city of Kodiak to fund hazardous waste response training and equipment for its sewer and fire department personnel. As part of the probation terms, North Pacific Seafoods is required to implement a comprehensive Environmental Compliance Plan, including mandatory training for all employees across its five Alaskan facilities on proper hazardous waste handling procedures, with a particular focus on ammonia management.
Individual Accountability
The fallout from the incident extends beyond the corporate entity. Bill Long, the chief engineer who allegedly directed the illegal discharge at the Alaska Pacific Seafoods facility, was arraigned in state court on March 14, 2014, and sentenced to pay $2,500 and serve 36 months of probation for violating ADEC permit regulations. This prosecution signals a broader effort to hold individuals accountable for environmental crimes alongside the corporations they represent.
Looking Ahead
This case underscores the importance of diligent environmental compliance within the seafood processing industry, a significant economic driver in Alaska. The EPA and ADEC continue to prioritize the protection of Alaskan waterways and are committed to pursuing vigorous enforcement actions against those who violate environmental laws. The outcome of this case serves as a warning to other facilities: deliberate pollution will not be tolerated.
Key Facts
- Defendant: North Pacific Seafoods (subsidiary of Marubeni)
- Crime: Illegal dumping of ammonia
- Location: Kodiak, Alaska
- Year: 2014
- Laws Violated: Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(B)), 18 AAC 83405
- Penalty: $205,000 fine ($55,000 to Kodiak for training/equipment), 3 years probation
- Individual Prosecution: Bill Long (Chief Engineer) – $2,500 fine, 36 months probation
- Ammonia Discharge: Approximately 40 pounds dumped into Kodiak sewer, potential prior discharges into St. Paul Harbor
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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