Pollution Update – Page 13

Pollution Update: Page 13

Pollution Update 3-14-13

Oregon DEQ sent Georgia-Pacific Chemicals a warning letter Feb. 19 for exceeding the limit for total phenols in its Clean Water Act discharge permit by 200 percent at its Eugene facility on Hwy. 99 during November. Georgia-Pacific blamed the high level on laboratory error, but DEQ could not find supporting evidence for this claim. According to DEQ, phenol is toxic to many aquatic organisms, and DEQ has referred this violation to its Office of Compliance and Enforcement for formal enforcement. Continue reading →

Pollution Update 3-7-13

Pollution Update 12 years ago

Deadlines for submitting comments to Oregon DEQ regarding over two dozen local facility’s industrial stormwater pollution control plans take place over the next eight days. Comments are due by 5 pm on the following dates. March 7: Rexius Forest By-Products, Frito-Lay Eugene, Teevin Bros Log Yard, Superior Steel, Spec Pipe. March 11: Western Pneumatics, Weyerhaeuser (Bertelsen Road), USF Reddaway, Western Coating, Tyree Oil. Continue reading →

Pollution Update 2-28-13

Pollution Update 12 years ago

Oregon DEQ followed up its Dec. 13 pre-enforcement notice to Norpac Foods, Inc., (EW 12/27) with a civil penalty in the amount of $9,600 on Jan. 31. Norpac over-applied food processing wastewater to a field near Scio, resulting in illegal discharges to a ditch that drains to the North Santiam River. Continue reading →

Pollution Update 2-14-13

Pollution Update 12 years ago

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a public notice on Monday, Feb. 11, concerning a proposed penalty against Tyree Oil, Inc. under the Clean Water Act. EPA alleges that Tyree Oil violated the Clean Water Act by failing to prepare and implement adequate spill prevention, containment and countermeasures (SPCC) plans at Eugene and North Bend facilities. EPA also alleges that approximately seven barrels of oil discharged from an above-ground storage tank at Tyree Oil’s facility on West 1st Avenue in Whiteaker on Jan. Continue reading →

Pollution Update 2-7-13

Pollution Update 12 years ago

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) sent Margaret Hedrick a warning letter Jan. 16 for a “sizeable release” of what appeared to be used oil to the ground at 1700 Highway 99 N. in Eugene (a little south of Highway 99 and Bethel Drive). According to DEQ’s letter, “used oil can contain cancer-causing agents, metal contaminants and organic compounds that can impact soil, stormwater and surface waters as well as filter into the groundwater supply when discharged onto the land surface. Continue reading →

Pollution Update 1-31-13

Pollution Update 12 years ago

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) sent Robert Saltsgaver, Jr. a warning letter on Dec. 17 for significant violations of Oregon environmental law stemming from illegal disposal of an estimated 4,800 to 6,600 waste tires and construction and demolition debris at 31841 Cedar Creek Road, Cottage Grove. The letter notes that such illegal disposal can lead to contamination of soil, surface water, and groundwater, and requests corrective actions. Continue reading →

Pollution Update 1-17-13

Pollution Update 12 years ago

Monitoring of the Amazon Creek Basin by the city of Eugene under the city’s Clean Water Act permit for urban stormwater discharges during 2011-2012 shows a decreasing trend for about 77 percent of indicators, though water quality standards for various pollutants are still exceeded in the basin. For copper, 30 percent of samples exceeded the relevant water quality standard by up to seven times. Continue reading →

Pollution Update 1-3-13

Pollution Update 12 years ago

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) recently sent Shell Oil Products Company a warning letter for failing to have the wastewater system at its Halsey facility, near I-5 and Highway 228, supervised by a certified operator. DEQ considers this a serious violation of the Clean Water Act. The Clean Water Act permit for this facility expired on June 30, 2011. Continue reading →

Pollution Update 12-27-12

Pollution Update 12 years ago

Nine more local facilities’ industrial stormwater pollution control plans are up for public comment this week. These plans are for facilities that have applied for Clean Water Act permit coverage under the new industrial stormwater permit issued by Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and that took effect July 1. Comments are due by 5 pm on Jan. 3. Continue reading →

Pollution Update 12-13-12

Pollution Update 12 years ago

Seven more local facility’s industrial stormwater pollution control plans for are up for public comment this week. These plans are for facilities that have applied for Clean Water Act permit coverage under the new industrial stormwater permit issued by Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and that took effect July 1. Comments are due by 5 PM on Dec. Continue reading →