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News Release
For release: May 17, 2011 Contacts: Northwest Portland Nursery Penalized $8,424 for Discharging Sediment-Filled Water into Local Stream The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an $8,424 penalty to Feigner Hilltop Nursery Inc., 9980 NW Kaiser Road, Portland, for discharging highly turbid or sediment-laden runoff from its operation into state surface waters earlier this year. DEQ issued the penalty because on Feb. 23, 2011, excessively turbid runoff from Feigner’s nursery operation drained into a county storm sewer system ditch running along Kaiser Road, into a culvert pipe under Cornelius Pass Road and eventually into Rock Creek, a stream for spawning and rearing salmon. Excessive turbidity in the water and sediment deposition can damage water quality and harm aquatic life. A sample of runoff water taken from the municipal separate storm system ditch near the nursery’s property that day showed turbidity at a level 61,000 percent higher than sample turbidity background levels just upstream from the nursery operation. In assessing the penalty, DEQ took into account the nursery’s recent efforts to install erosion control measures at the site. Feigner Hilltop Nursery Inc. has appealed its penalty and will meet with DEQ to discuss the matter further. |
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