Oregon raises port’s pollution fine after further violations

PORTLAND — The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has increased the Port of Morrow’s groundwater-contamination fine to $2.1 million following additional wastewater violations.

The agency added $800,000 to the Port’s original $1.3 million fine Friday for over-applying nitrogen-rich wastewater on agricultural fields in the Lower Umatilla Basin, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported.

The area is burdened with groundwater pollution and is the primary drinking water source for Morrow and Umatilla counties.

Department of Environmental Quality spokesperson Laura Gleim said the agency knew about additional violations initially but had to get documentation in order.

Gleim said the port violated its water-quality permit an additional 626 times — making a total of 2,155 violations during the winter months between November 2020 and February 2022.

The agency found that the port added 96 additional tons of excess nitrate to nearby agricultural fields, for an estimated 261 tons total. The fine is the second largest in the agency’s history.

Port Executive Director Lisa Mittelsdorf said the groundwater contamination is a community problem that will require a community solution.