Astoria, OR (7/26/2016) ? The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has fined the Port of Astoria $36,916 for failing to conduct required stormwater monitoring at the Port’s Central Waterfront and Tongue Point facilities during the 2014-2015 monitoring year and for failing to timely file required reports in violation of stormwater discharge permits.

DEQ has issued the penalty because monitoring stormwater discharge is essential for DEQ to determine whether the Port’s stormwater treatment technology is adequate to control pollutants. Without monitoring data, DEQ cannot analyze potential harmful environmental consequences from stormwater discharge.

DEQ previously penalized the Port in 2013 and in 2015 for failing to comply with stormwater monitoring requirements.

In determining the penalty amount, DEQ considered the Port’s efforts to correct the reporting violations by submitting the required reports.

The Port of Astoria has until Aug. 11 to appeal the penalty.

View the enforcement letter:
https://www.oregon.gov/deq/nr/072616astoria.pdf

Contact: Jeff Bachman, Environmental Law Specialist, Portland, 503-229-5950, bachman.jeff@deq.state.or.us;
E. Jay Murphy, Water Quality Program, Portland, 503-229-5937, murphy.elizabeth@deq.state.or.us