DEQ release – Statewide, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued 18 penalties totaling $232,095 in February for various environmental violations. A detailed list of violations and resulting penalties is at https://ordeq.org/enforcement. Fines ranged from $1,200 to $89,512. Alleged violations included a transfer station failing to substantially implement a stormwater pollution control plan, a log storage yard conducting unpermitted burning of creosote-treated timbers, and a transportation company failing to immediately clean up a diesel fuel spill and reporting it to the Oregon Emergency Response System. DEQ issued civil penalties to the following organizations and individuals along the Oregon Coast: Gilbert Gramson, Warrenton, $24,054, stormwater; Justin Gauvain, Lakeside, $5,367, land quality; Knutson Towboat Company, Coos Bay, $33,554, air quality; Tillamook County Public Works Department, Tillamook, $55,451, stormwater. 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.
