Pollution Update 10-3-13

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) assessed a civil penalty of $6,676 against PeaceHealth on Sept. 26 for operating an unpermitted underground storage tank and failing to upgrade it with corrosion protection at Peace Harbor Medical Center in Florence. PeaceHealth has owned and operated the underground storage tank since at least 1989 and failed to upgrade it with required corrosion protection by December 1998. 

DEQ sent a warning letter to Gurial Brar of PBK LLC on Sept. 23 for failing to report a suspected release from an underground storage tank at Cottage Grove Chevron (1250 Gateway Boulevard). A DEQ inspection of the facility on Sept. 18 indicated a failure to report and investigate a suspected fuel release dating back to May 5, 2013. DEQ records indicate a similar failure to report and investigate a suspected fuel release at this facility in September  2007.