Pollution Update 8-1-13

Comments to Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) regarding industrial stormwater pollution control plans for two B & R Auto Wrecking facilities (one in Albany and one in Corvallis) are due by 5 pm on August 9. Visit goo.gl/ScwdH to see stormwater plans, and goo.gl/iMDQb to comment. It should be noted that while DEQ is required to respond in writing to comments on stormwater plans, it recently came to light that DEQ considers mere written acknowledgement of receipt of comments to fulfill this requirement, which appears to violate the intent of the law. DEQ sent a warning letter to Vivian Rooke of Scott Township, Pennsylvania on July 9 concerning Rooke’s failure to have a legal septic system at property owned by Rooke at 81251 Lost Creek Road in Dexter. DEQ’s letter followed three separate Lane County letters over the course of the last year. The county did not receive a reply to any of those letters.