Pollution Update 12-11-14

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) recently sent Jeanne M. Burris a pre-enforcement notice for illegal waste tire storage at property owned by Burris at 29882 Kelso St. in Eugene. This notice follows up on a warning letter that DEQ sent to Burris for the same violation in July of last year (see EW 8/8/13, goo.gl/8za9J3). The 2013 warning letter gave Burris until Jan. 15, 2014 to address the problem, but it appears that Burris has failed to do so. The recent notice gives Burris until the end of this year to correct the problem. 

DEQ also recently sent a warning letter to Schnitzer Steel Industries illegally transporting waste tires on rims from the Kelso Street site to its Eugene facility, de-rimming them, and then transporting them back to the Kelso Street site. DEQ points out that “[i]mproper storage of waste tires can create fire hazards and provide habitat for noxious insects and rodents.” 

DEQ is accepting comments on the erosion and sediment control plan for Hayden Homes’ Glacier Meadows Subdivision in Springfield until 5 pm Dec. 15. Visit goo.gl/Yp4iAK for information on commenting.