DEQ release – Statewide, OR—The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued 17 penalties totaling $344,690 in September for various environmental violations. A detailed list of violations and resulting penalties is at https://go.usa.gov/xEQJn. Fines ranged from $1,600 to $127,776. Alleged violations included failing to hire a licensed asbestos abatement contractor to safely remove asbestos during a home renovation, discharging untreated sewage to Oregon creeks, and violating requirements for maintaining underground gas storage tanks. DEQ issued civil penalties to the following organizations and individuals on the South Coast: • La Franchi, Ronald dba Ron’s Oil Company, $6,987, Reedsport (underground fuel storage tanks). 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.
