Darigold Settles for $2M to Address Yakima River Pollution Issues
Darigold will pay $2 million to the Yakama Nation to mitigate water stargrass growth affecting salmon in the Yakima River. The settlement follows a lawsuit regarding wastewater discharge violations impacting local aquatic ecosystems.
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Darigold has reached a $2 million settlement with the Yakama Nation to address the proliferation of water stargrass in the Yakima River, which disrupts salmon spawning. The agreement, resulting from a lawsuit filed by Columbia Riverkeeper in July 2025, highlights ongoing violations of the company's discharge permits.
Under the settlement, Darigold will also incur penalties for exceeding daily and monthly effluent limits, with payments capped at $150,000 over 18 months. Improved wastewater treatment measures are being implemented, and an engineering report must be approved by the Washington state Department of Ecology. The river's water quality is critical for the Columbia River ecosystem, and the reduction of stargrass is viewed as essential for restoring fish habitats.
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