The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) on May 27 sent a warning letter to Jason and Rachel Shannon of Veneta for illegally discharging sewage to the ground at their property on East Bolton Road in Veneta. DEQ’s letter requested that the Shannons take steps to prevent additional illegal discharges, cordon off the affected area “to prevent human and animal contact,” and disinfect the affected area. DEQ followed up on the May 27 warning letter with a pre-enforcement notice on June 23, which notes that additional discharges were continuing to occur, and that “no efforts” had been made by the Shannons to prevent additional discharges or to cordon off or disinfect the affected area. The pre-enforcement notice notes that sewage is “an immediate health hazard when exposed to animals and insects that can transmit disease to people who live nearby” and that it “poses a substantial threat to both public health and the environment.” 

DEQ sent a warning letter to Oregon State Hospital Junction City on June 14 for failure to manage hazardous waste in proper containers and failing to properly train staff regarding proper handling of hazardous waste. 

DEQ also sent a warning letter to Oregon State University on June 14 concerning various hazardous waste law violations, including failure to label and inspect hazardous waste, failure to properly train personnel and failure to clean up spills.