Pollution Violations in Brookings, Charleston and Wolf Creek Lead to DEQ Fines
State regulators Recently issued 13 enforcement actions, including wastewater penalties in Brookings and Charleston and a solid waste penalty in Wolf Creek.
SOUTHERN OREGON — The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued 13 civil penalties totaling $3,425,054 in April for alleged environmental violations across Oregon, including three cases tied to Brookings, Charleston and Wolf Creek.
The largest penalty announced by DEQ was issued to Pacific Seafood – Charleston, LLC, which received a $2,985,262 civil penalty for wastewater violations at its Charleston facility.
According to DEQ’s penalty assessment, the company failed to install a DEQ-approved wastewater treatment system by April 15, 2023, as required under a mutual agreement and order with the agency. DEQ said the facility also discharged effluent to state waters containing pollutants above the limits allowed in its wastewater disposal permit.
DEQ said the Charleston facility repeatedly exceeded permit limits for oil and grease, total suspended solids and biochemical oxygen demand. Those limits are set to protect aquatic life and water quality, according to the agency.
Of the total Charleston penalty, DEQ said $2,407,662 represented the economic benefit the company allegedly gained by failing to install and operate the required wastewater treatment system. The agency said it may reconsider that portion of the penalty if the company completes the required work, but continued failure to install treatment could result in additional civil penalties.
DEQ also issued a $114,000 penalty to Pacific Seafood – Brookings, LLC, for wastewater violations at its Brookings facility. According to DEQ, the company discharged pollutants to Oregon waters in amounts exceeding the limits set in its wastewater disposal permit.
DEQ said pollutant limits in wastewater permits are designed to protect water quality and aquatic life, and that exceeding those effluent limits created a risk of harm to beneficial uses of state waters.
In Wolf Creek, DEQ issued a $14,053 solid waste penalty to Christine and Alexander Tsarnas. DEQ’s enforcement listing identifies the case as a land quality violation involving disposal of solid waste without a permit, with potential impacts to human health and wildlife.
Together, the Brookings, Charleston and Wolf Creek cases accounted for more than $3.1 million of the $3.4 million in April penalties announced statewide.
Other April enforcement actions involved wastewater, stormwater, asbestos, hazardous waste, air quality and solid waste cases in communities across Oregon.
Recipients of DEQ civil penalties must either pay the fine to the state treasury or file an appeal within 20 days of receiving notice of the penalty. DEQ said some recipients may be able to offset a portion of a penalty by funding a supplemental environmental project that improves Oregon’s environment.
Penalties may also include orders requiring specific work to prevent ongoing violations or additional environmental harm.
DEQ said it works with organizations and individuals across Oregon through education, technical assistance, warnings and penalties to encourage compliance with laws protecting the state’s air, land and water.
Cover image: A stock image shows water discharging from a concrete pipe. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued April enforcement actions involving wastewater and solid waste violations in Brookings, Charleston and Wolf Creek. Photo by Abdullah Wafiyy on Unsplash.
