Pollution Update 6-19-14

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) hit Pacific Recycling with a $327,686 fine on Friday, June 13, for stormwater pollution problems dating back to 2008 at its facility on Cross Street (near Roosevelt Boulevard) in Eugene. Pacific Recycling has repeatedly discharged harmful levels of industrial pollutants (specifically copper, lead, zinc, suspended solids, and oil & grease), and promised to install additional stormwater treatment in 2011, but never did so. DEQ also cited (but did not fine) Pacific Recycling for repeatedly tracking sediment off of the site since 2008. DEQ has fined Pacific Recycling on two other occasions in recent years, both times for hazardous waste law violations. DEQ is currently accepting public comments on erosion plans for three local construction projects: Phase 1 of Hayden Homes’ Pinehurst project at Ivy & S. 55th in Springfield; Bailey Hill Holdings, LLC’s Bailey Hill Apartments at 13th & Bailey Hill in Eugene; and Weyerhaeuser NR Company’s Truck Road Landfill project south of Springfield. Comments on the first two are due by 5 pm Monday, June 23, while comments on the third one are due by 5 pm June 24. Visit goo.gl/Yp4iAK for info on commenting.