Trimet, Corps among those fined by DEQ

By: Justin Carinci//May 11, 2010//

Trimet, Corps among those fined by DEQ

Justin Carinci//May 11, 2010//

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Public transit agency TriMet and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were fined alongside private companies for water quality violations, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality .

The DEQ fined 18 Portland-area organizations for violating the terms of their storm water discharge permits.

The private companies included Brundage-Bone Concrete Pumping and GS Roofing Products. Fines ranged from $4,200 to $5,766.

Companies and public agencies alike submit annual reports to the DEQ that detail their own inspections of storm water discharge sites, said Jeff Bachman, environmental law specialist with the DEQ. They also submit four samples for testing.

The burden is on the organization holding the permit, Bachman said. “But the penalties are severe for false reporting.”