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Contingencies
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2021
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Contingencies

9. CONTINGENCIES

The Company carries insurance policies on insurable risks with coverage and other terms that it believes to be appropriate. The Company has self-insured retention limits and has obtained fully insured layers of coverage above such self-insured retention limits. Accruals for self-insurance losses are made based on claims experience. Liabilities for existing and unreported claims are accrued when it is probable that future costs will be incurred and can be reasonably estimated.

Environmental and Legal Matters

The Company accrues expenses for contingencies when it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and management can reasonably estimate the expense. Contingencies for which the Company has made accruals include environmental

and other legal matters. It is possible, however, that actual expenses could exceed the accruals by a material amount, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s future liquidity, financial condition, and operating results in the period in which any such additional expenses are incurred or recognized.

Environmental Matters

The Company was previously identified as a potentially responsible party in connection with contamination cleanup at a formerly owned property in Montana. On February 18, 2015, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (the “DEQ”) issued an amendment to the unilateral administrative order of the DEQ outlining the final remediation of the property in its Record of Decision.  In September 2015, the remedial action work plan (“RAWP”) was approved.

The Company paid approximately $0.6 million in the first nine months of 2021 implementing the RAWP.  The Company estimates the total remaining cost of implementing the RAWP to be $2.2 million at September 30, 2021, with $1.1 million in short-term other accrued liabilities and $1.1 million in other non-current liabilities. As of September 30, 2021, the Company believes the accrual represents a reasonable best estimate of the total remaining remediation costs, based on facts, circumstances, and information currently available.  However, there are currently unknown variables relating to the actual levels of contaminants and amounts of soil that will ultimately require treatment or removal. As part of the remediation process, additional soil and groundwater sampling, and bench and pilot testing are required to ensure the remediation will achieve the outcome required by the DEQ.  The ultimate final amount of remediation costs and expenditures is difficult to estimate with certainty and as a result, the amount of actual costs and expenses ultimately incurred by the Company with respect to this property could be lower than, or exceed the amount accrued as of September 30, 2021 by a material amount.  If actual costs are materially higher, the incremental expenses over the amount currently accrued could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity, financial condition and operating results.

With consent of the DEQ, remediation efforts and expenditures were temporarily suspended during 2020 as a result of pandemic-related health, safety, financial and other considerations.  During the first quarter of 2021, the Company re-engaged in remediation efforts in cooperation with the DEQ and expects to continue remedial activities throughout the remainder of 2021 and into 2022.  

In addition, some of the Company’s current and former distribution centers are located in areas where environmental contamination may have occurred, and for which the Company, among others, could be held responsible. The Company currently believes that there are no material environmental liabilities at any of its distribution center locations.