DEQ release – The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued nine penalties totaling $323,489 in September for various environmental violations. A detailed list of violations and resulting penalties is at https://ordeq.org/enforcement. Fines ranged from $1,500 to $237,600. Alleged violations included a city discharging 400,000 gallons of wastewater to the Malheur River; a rock crusher operating without an air quality permit; and a truck company failed to clean up spilled diesel fuel in a timely manner. DEQ issued civil penalties to the following organizations and individuals along the Coast: Chris Dials Contracting LLC, Tillamook, $2,674, Air quality; Gedenberg, Michael, dba Mike Gedenberg Trucking, Astoria, $39,090, Spills; Westport Service District STP, Westport, $5,925, Wastewater. Organizations or individuals must either pay the fines to the state treasury or file an appeal within 20 days of receiving notice of the penalty. They may be able to offset a portion of a penalty by funding a supplemental environmental project that improves Oregon’s environment. Learn more about these projects at https://ordeq.org/sep. Penalties may also include orders requiring specific tasks to prevent ongoing violations or additional environmental harm. DEQ works with thousands of organizations and individuals to help them comply with laws that protect Oregon’s air, land and water. DEQ uses education, technical assistance, warnings and penalties to change behavior and deter future violations.
