DEQ Issues 10 Penalties Totaling $462,425 for October Violations
Oregon’s environmental agency cites gas stations, public works departments, utilities, and wastewater operators for air, water, and stormwater violations.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued 10 civil penalties totaling $462,425 in October for a range of air, water, stormwater, and waste-related violations across the state. A full list of cases and enforcement documents is available at ordeq.org/enforcement.
The fines, which ranged from $3,450 to $277,008, stemmed from alleged violations such as failing to properly operate underground fuel tank monitoring systems, exceeding wastewater discharge limits, and not conducting required methane monitoring at a county landfill.
DEQ issued penalties to the following organizations:
Black Butte Ranch, Sisters — $3,450, wastewater
Circle K Stores, Inc., Tangent — $277,008, underground storage tanks
City of Port Orford, Port Orford — $6,300, wastewater
City of St. Helens, St. Helens — $33,090, stormwater
Douglas County Public Works Department, Roseburg — $35,270, air quality
Erickson Incorporated, Central Point — $8,507, stormwater
Hubert Willer, Ione — $6,300, water quality
Northwest Natural Gas Company, Mist — $68,200, air quality permitting
Petrocard, Inc., Salem — $16,500, underground storage tanks
Seaport Midstream Partners, LLC, Portland — $7,800, wastewater
Organizations that receive DEQ civil penalties must either pay the fine or file an appeal within 20 days of receiving a notice of violation. Some may qualify to reduce a portion of the penalty by funding a supplemental environmental project, which must directly benefit Oregon’s environment. More information is available at ordeq.org/sep.
Penalties may also require violators to complete corrective actions to prevent ongoing or future environmental harm.
DEQ notes that it works with thousands of organizations statewide to promote compliance through education, technical assistance, warnings, and—when necessary—formal enforcement actions.
Cover image: Brendan O'Donnell on Unsplash
