DEQ fines Oregon Ice Cream for stormwater violations
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has fined Oregon Ice Cream LLC $36,171 for stormwater violations at its Grant Street facility.
The company failed to control and treat stormwater at its Eugene facility. Oregon Ice Cream was required by its permit to implement a “Tier II” plan that would address elevated levels of zinc, copper and suspended solids in its stormwater discharge, but failed to do so by the June 30, 2016 deadline. Of the civil penalty assessed by DEQ, $26, 571 represents the economic benefit gained by the company for failing to complete these measures. DEQ will consider recalculating the penalty if the requirements are completed.
The company also allowed wash water containing milk and soap to discharge through an exterior door to the adjacent sidewalk where it was likely to be washed into a catch basin that drains into Amazon Creek.
DEQ also cited the company, without penalty, for failing to take other corrective actions, failing to provide employee education, failing to conduct facility inspections and failing to provide secondary containment for hazardous materials.
Such violations could pose a risk to aquatic life and to beneficial uses of Amazon Creek.
The company has until July 3 to appeal the penalty.
See the enforcement letter at: https://www.oregon.gov/deq/nr/061617icecream.pdf
Contact
Katherine Benenati, Western Region Public Affairs Specialist, Eugene, 541-686-7997, benenati.katherine@deq.state.or.us
