Nippon Dynawave Begins Tank Work as First Step Toward Longview Mill Restart

Nippon Dynawave Packaging has begun dismantling tanks and preparing temporary storage as part of the first steps toward restarting its Longview mill, following the May 26 rupture of a white liquor storage tank that killed 11 workers.

The company said work beginning August 17 would include dismantling and removing three out-of-service tanks and staging temporary tanks to store white liquor and black liquor needed for an eventual operational restart. The tanks identified for work are the Weak Wash Tank, No. 4 White Liquor Tank, both in the Recaust/Lime Kiln Area, and the G-Tank.

Nippon spokesperson Sam Jeffries said the work was necessary for an eventual restart but did not provide further details. The company has not given a timetable for fully restarting the mill, which produces pulp and packaging paper for food containers and other products.

The tank work is expected to take a matter of weeks, according to the company. Documents filed Monday indicate the temporary tanks could be used for up to three months, The Seattle Times reported.

The May 26 rupture and subsequent blast also injured eight workers and released about 900,000 gallons of white liquor. Most of the spill was contained on the mill site and treated at the facility's wastewater plant, according to a company report. An estimated 160,000 gallons entered Longview diking district's Ditch 5, causing the deaths of thousands of fish, most of them non-native species. Another 3,500 gallons reached the Columbia River through two discharge outfalls.

Washington's Department of Labor & Industries is continuing its investigation into the cause of the accident and is required to issue a report within six months, by late November.

Nippon is continuing to pay employees full salaries at least through October 11.