DEQ issues fines for wastewater violations at Eagle Point mining facility
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has fined two companies $7,800 each for illegally discharging waste into waters of the state at a surface mining facility in December 2016.
The companies are Brotherton Pipeline Inc. of Gold Hill, a drilling company, and S&K Rock LLC of Eagle Point, the mine operator.
DEQ cited the companies for a water quality violation related to Brotherton Pipeline’s dumping of bentonite slurry from its drilling operations over the side of a slope at the mining facility. The waste flowed into the headwaters of a seasonal creek and into a pond on a neighboring property.
Discharging waste into waters of the state without a permit is a serious violation of Oregon environmental law and can cause harm to aquatic life and limit the beneficial use of waterways. Bentonite slurry can contain high amounts of metals and petroleum products. The unnamed creek provides drinking water for cattle on a neighboring property.
The companies removed the bentonite from the creek and placed straw bales in the creek to stabilize the channel.
Brotherton Pipeline Inc. has appealed the penalty. S&K Rock LLC did not appeal.
View the enforcement letters: http://www.oregon.gov/deq/nr/062317brotherton.pdf
Contact:
Katherine Benenati, Public Affairs Specialist, Eugene, 541-686-7997, benenati.katherine@deq.state.or.us