Oregon Department of Justice Wins Contempt Ruling Against Portland Metal Recycler, Ordering Shutdown Until It Complies with Environmental Laws

The Oregon Department of Justice (ODOJ) has won a contempt ruling against NW Metals, Inc. and its president, Moyata Anotta, after a Multnomah County Circuit Court judge found they willfully and knowingly violated a 2021 stipulated court order requiring the company to comply with Oregon's environmental laws.

"For years, this company ignored a court order and continued polluting the air and water in neighborhoods in Portland," said Attorney General Dan Rayfield. "The people who live and work near this site deserve better than the broken promises they've gotten from NW Metals. We will continue holding this company accountable."

The judgment, signed August 12, bars NW Metals and Anotta from operating until they come into compliance with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's (DEQ) air, solid waste and stormwater permitting requirements.

ODOJ filed the underlying civil contempt case on DEQ's behalf. The court found that NW Metals and Anotta violated the 2021 stipulated court order - which Anotta personally signed as the company's registered agent and secretary - by operating a metal shredder without a valid air permit, failing to comply with state air quality laws, failing to obtain required solid waste permits, failing to comply with solid waste laws, and failing to comply with state water quality rules, including a required stormwater discharge permit.

Anotta has appealed the contempt ruling to the Court of Appeals and is seeking a stay of the ruling requiring that NW Metals stop operating. ODOJ intends to defend the appeal and to oppose the request for a stay of the contempt ruling.