DEQ issues 9 penalties in March for environmental violations, April 28

DEQ report – The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued nine penalties totaling $182,840 in March for various environmental violations. A detailed list of violations and resulting penalties is at https://ordeq.org/enforcement. Fines ranged from $987 to $83,055. Alleged violations included property owners operating a landfill without the required permit, a rock quarry causing pollution to the McKenzie River, and gas stations failing to properly monitor their underground fuel tanks. DEQ issued civil penalties to the following organizations along the Coast: Tidewater Contractors, Inc., $12,300, Gold Beach, stormwater. 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. 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.