PORTLAND — Oregon environmental regulators hit McMenamins Inc. with a $62,553 fine for illegally dumping spent grain, hops and other byproducts from its distillery, brewery and winery operation in Troutdale, Ore., into nearby creeks.
The state Department of Environmental Quality also said the food, lodging and entertainment giant has run its Edgefield location without an industrial wastewater permit since 1998. McMenamins has more than 50 locations in Oregon and Washington.
The state agency publicized the violations Tuesday but notified the company of the violations and fine on Oct. 27, according to state records. McMenamins has filed an appeal, according to DEQ.
McMenamins did not immediately respond to a request for comment. McMenamins Edgefield sits on a sprawling 74-acre plot of land in east Multnomah County with a concert hall, golf course, hotel, restaurant and other amenities.
DEQ officials conducted an inspection of McMenamins Edgefield in August in response to a complaint, and observed rotten grain, hops, grapes and other items in catch basins which drain into Arata Creek and another unnamed creek.
An inspector also saw “grape skins, grape seeds and red staining” along the banks of the unnamed creek.
Byproducts from distilling, winemaking and brewery operations are typically solid and contain high levels of alcohol and sugar. According to the state complaint, those byproducts can decrease water clarity and clog fish gills, prevent egg or larval development and “suffocate newly hatched insect larvae.”
The company applied for a state permit Oct. 28, according to Susan Elworth, a DEQ environmental law specialist.
The company also took actions, Elworth said, to cap storm drains and change how it handles grapes, yeast and other byproducts.
Elworth said the permit has historically ranged in costs from $358 to $980. Companies also must pay a $336 application fee.
DEQ said $40,339 of the penalty represents “economic benefit the company gained by failing to apply for coverage under the stormwater general permit and to develop a stormwater pollution control plan.”
