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The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality recently fined a Salem-based contractor and property management group for replacing an asbestos-laden roof without first obtaining a license.

Bonn Roof Care was penalized $7,200 because workers removed roof paper that contained the hazardous fibers and then improperly stored the material.

Northwest Pacific, the property manager of the commercial facility located at 440-460 Northeast Pine St. in Salem, received a larger fine of $9,600 for allowing the contractor to perform the project.

Bonn Roof Care took some steps to correct the violation, such as immediately stopping work, covering the dumpster containing the torn and friable asbestos material, and hiring a licensed abatement contractor.

Esther Westbrook, DEQ compliance and enforcement officer, said the department reduced the penalty levied against the company because of these actions.

Northwest Pacific appealed the penalty on June 6; Bonn Roof Care has until June 25 to appeal its penalty.