DEQ issues six enforcement actions in August for environmental violations

Statewide, Ore. - The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued six penalties totaling $184,387 in August for various environmental violations. Detailed information about violations and resulting penalties is at ordeq.org/enforcement.

Fines ranged from $9,674 to $64,771. Alleged violations included an aluminum finishing business failing to properly monitor hazardous waste, a trucking and transportation business failing to report and clean up a diesel spill, and a real estate and property rental business operating a disposal system without a permit.

DEQ issued the following civil penalties:

• D&M Import Services Inc., Ukiah, $64,771, land quality
• Electro-Chem Metal Finishing Inc., Portland, $15,200, hazardous waste, air quality
• Portland Disposal & Recycling Inc., Portland, $41,888, stormwater
• Radar Holding LLC, Condon, $9,674, wastewater
• Seubert Excavators Inc., Ontario, $47,454, stormwater
• True Organic Products LLC, Boardman, $5,400, wastewater

Recipients of DEQ civil penalties 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 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.

Media contact: Carisma Sanchez, public affairs specialist, [email protected], 971-484-6109.