Port Townsend Paper Corporation has been fined $56,250 for exceeding an air quality limit at its Port Townsend mill, the Washington Department of Ecology announced Wednesday. 

The company has 30 days to pay the fine, or to appeal the penalty to the Pollution Control Hearings Board.

State officials said emissions measured from the mill’s recovery furnace on July 6 exceeded the hazardous air pollutant limit required under their air quality permit. 

According to Ecology, a clog in part of the emissions treatment system was found to be limiting the system’s performance. 

Port Townsend Paper Corporation, which is owned by  Crown Paper Group, discovered and corrected the problem on July 7, according to Ecology.

The mill performed a performance test Aug. 25 that demonstrated compliance with the emission limit that was set in the company's air quality permit.

The company did not respond immediately Wednesday to a request for comment from The Leader.

Port Townsend Paper Corporation 's air quality permit limits emissions of hazardous air pollutants such as metals from the facility’s recovery furnace, and the permit conditions use particulate matter levels as a proxy for other forms of pollution. 

Ecology said the company demonstrates compliance with the limit by periodically measuring emissions from the recovery furnace.

State officials noted that hazardous air pollutants can endanger public health, especially in sensitive groups that include children, adults over 65, and people with respiratory issues.