Sierra Pacific Industries has paid $13 million to settle alleged air-quality violations at four of its sawmills in northern California. The Redding company paid $8.5 million in fees and penalties, and another $4.5 million to help fund air-quality improvement programs. The state and the Placer County Air Pollution Control District filed a civil complaint in 2004 for air violations at Sierra Pacific sawmills in Lincoln, Quincy, Loyalton and the now-closed operation in Susanville. The complaint alleged false emission reports, the failure to report emissions and nuisance-causing soot discharged from the Lincoln sawmill. Sierra Pacific has since made $17 million in improvements to the Lincoln mill.