After observing muddy stormwater entering the White River on multiple occasions, the state’s Department of Ecology issued a $34,000 fine against Michelson Knapp Land Venture on Dec. 30.

“There were a number of violations found on the days of our inspection that ranged from not maintaining proper construction access points… to the way the stormwater ponds were set up, to maintaining the right kind of silt fencing that prevents runoff from reaching the road,” said Chase Gallagher, a department spokesperson.

A department press release said there were four separate observations of Michelson Knapp’s construction site at the Sumner Corporate Park Cascade and Glacier Building.

According to Gallagher, the department offered technical assistance to Michelson Knapp since 2013 to help make sure polluted water wasn’t reaching the river. Eventually, the offers of technical assistance turned into administrative orders, which the department claimed were ignored by the company.

The White River is home to several kinds of fish and other marine wildlife, including the Chinook and steelhead salmon.

“We know things that are found in stormwater increase PH and turbidity can cause stress to fish and other wildlife,” said Gallagher. “Those are the things we work on throughout our clean water efforts to help ensure the health of a body of water.”

The department’s release also noted that the untreated stormwater reached the city of Sumner’s stormwater system, potentially requiring additional maintenance and cause increased costs for ratepayers in the city.

Michelson Knapp has yet to formally file an appeal, said company attorney Margaret Archer. The company has 30 days since the fine was issued to appeal.

“At this point, we are still working on finding out what the Department of Ecology has, but we are pretty confident that there is no violation here,” Archer said. “(Michelson Knapp} works very hard to have clean sites, and we are pretty confident that once we appeal, this will get reversed.”