Oregon DEQ issues $152,496 in environmental penalties

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued nine enforcement actions in September, totaling $152,496 in penalties for various environmental violations. Fines issued during this period ranged from $3,600 to $35,083.

Among the violators, Elgin Chevron LLC was fined $35,083 for violating underground storage tank (UST) rules. The DEQ cited the company for failing to complete required testing—including overfill, spill prevention, and leak detector operability tests—and for failing to conduct annual maintenance walkthrough inspections. The agency also noted that tank services were conducted by an unlicensed individual and that equipment maintenance was insufficient to ensure proper functionality.

Other enforcement actions included a recycling company operating without a solid waste permit and a city failing to meet water quality 401 certification requirements for a stream restoration project. Recipients of these penalties have 20 days to pay the fines or file an appeal. They may also be eligible to offset a portion of the penalties by funding supplemental environmental projects.