Seven Hills Properties, LLC, issued $20,622 penalty by DEQ for construction stormwater violations at Gresham development
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued a $20,622 civil penalty to Seven Hills Properties, LLC, for stormwater violations at a construction site for the Gresham Crossing commercial development located at 277-291 NE 223rd Ave. in Gresham. The company failed to implement an erosion and sediment control plan, allowing significant amounts of sediment to leave the site, which drains to Fairview Creek. The company also failed to conduct visual monitoring at the site and disposed of solid waste including asphalt and construction debris in a wetland channel along the border of the construction site. $12,042 of the penalty represents the economic benefit that the company gained by failing to manage erosion and sediment at the site as required by the construction stormwater permit.
DEQ issued the penalty because failing to prevent discharges of sediment from the construction site to conveyance systems that lead to surface waters, such as Fairview Creek, can increase turbidity to the receiving waters. This increase in turbidity can negatively impact the water quality of the water, which can pose a threat to fish or other aquatic life.
Seven Hills Properties, LLC has appealed the penalty.
View the enforcement letter: https://www.oregon.gov/deq/nr/062317sevenhills.pdf
Contact:
Jennifer Flynt, Public Information Officer, 503-730-5924, flynt.jennifer@deq.state.or.us