A Northwest chemical company whose plans to open a storage and distribution facility in Sumner have stirred questions and concerns for years is now a step closer to construction.
The city Friday issued a list of 43 actions Northstar Chemical Inc. must complete to build the facility.
The actions – to mitigate potential environmental impacts – range from developing a spill prevention and containment plan to monitoring for pH in the stormwater drainage system.
They’re the result of a lengthy environmental review process. Completing the actions will be conditions of obtaining building permits.
The development Friday doesn’t necessarily mean the project will happen. The city didn’t know whether Northstar still wants to move forward after years of seeking approval, and the company also would have to meet other permit requirements.
The Northstar official who’s been the point of contact on the project couldn’t be reached Friday.
In a statement, Sumner Mayor Dave Enslow said the city has heard from residents and the property owner about the proposal.
“I’m glad that everyone cares enough about Sumner to share their thoughts and make this a full and complete process,” he said.
He urged people to review the full environmental impact assessment, which is posted on the city’s website at www.ci.sumner.wa.us. The 43 actions were derived from that document.
Katharine Rode, a Sumner resident who has opposed the project, said the site is too close to homes and the White River.
“It’s not the right spot” for the project, she said. “It’s too close to the river, schools and kids.”
Northstar proposed the project in 2004, hoping to develop a tank farm, loading and unloading facility, offices and parking on 3 acres near Fryar Avenue and Zehnder Street. The chemicals would be nonexplosive, mainly used in water treatment and cleaning, according to information from the city.
A Northstar official told The News Tribune in 2010 that the chemicals would be like those used at the site when the Fleischmann’s Yeast Co. plant was there.
Most construction projects in Washington go through an environmental review under state law. In this case, Sumner determined the Northstar project needed an especially in-depth assessment because of the potential impacts, said Paul Rogerson, the city’s community development director.
A consultant hired by the city and paid for by Northstar did the work. A draft environmental assessment came out in 2010 and the final version was published in April.
sara.schilling@ thenewstribune.com 253-552-7058