FORKS — A Forks resident faces a fine of up to $14,915 for burning a logging vehicle on his property, the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency said.
Jerry Leppell burned what was likely a dismantled Link-Belt timber loader on Tuesday at his vacant 8-acre parcel at 9999 Fern Hill Road, said Rita Cirulis, clean air agency inspector for Clallam and Jefferson counties.
Cirulis said she had informed Leppell of the violation, but that the amount of the fine — which could be as much $14,915 — had yet to be determined on Wednesday.
Leppell did not return a phone call requesting comment.
The amount of the fine will be determined 30 days after Leppell receives the notice of violation, as long as he doesn’t file an appeal, Cirulis said.
Neither Cirulis nor Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict have received other reports of dismantling and burning vehicles.
But though it’s an isolated incident, “it’s probably a safe bet” to say that similar incidents will occur now that the price of scrap material has skyrocketed, Benedict said.
Mike McGuire, Alpine Auto Wrecking manager, said a quarter-inch thick of steel less than 4-feet in length from a logging vehicle could sell for $380 at a metal recycling operation.
The price for the same material in April would have gone for about $100, he said.
