DEQ issues 10 penalties, 1 on the Coast in March for environmental violations, April 22

DEQ release – The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued 10 penalties totaling $381,697 in March for various environmental violations. A detailed list of violations and resulting penalties is at https://ordeq.org/enforcement. Fines ranged from $4,800 to $223,440. Alleged violations included illegal burning of prohibited material near the Umpqua River, discarding wastewater from a mine into the Burnt River, and discharging raw sewage into the Isthmus Slough—causing the closure of commercial oyster beds in Coos Bay. DEQ issued civil penalties to the following organizations on the Oregon Coast: Laskey-Clifton Corporation, $16,800, Reedsport, wastewater. Organizations or individuals must either pay the fines 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. 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.