The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) fined Lane Community College $3,450 last month for hazardous waste and water quality violations related to mismanagement of waste generated during ceramic making at LCC’s 30th Avenue main campus. The waste was placed in a storm drain where it was likely to end up in state waters, and exceeded regulatory requirements for chromium. According to DEQ, chromium is a bioaccumulative heavy metal that can cause mental retardation and impaired organ function. DEQ’s penalty took into consideration LCC’s efforts to address these violations once LCC was made aware of them by DEQ.