Oregon's Stella-Jones Corporation has admitted to multiple instances of environmental disregard. According to a release from the Oregon Department of Justice, the wood products manufacturer based in Sheridan, Oregon, has pleaded guilty to 10 misdemeanor counts of second-degree unlawful water pollution. The charges stem from the company's failure to adhere to its water quality permit, leading to excessive discharge of pentachlorophenol, a hazardous chemical used in wood treatment.
The violations, documented extensively between December 2022 and March 2023, showcased a disturbing indifference to environmental protocols. "Oregonians expect businesses to follow the law and protect our environment," Attorney General Dan Rayfield stated in a release made by the Oregon Department of Justice. He emphasized the community's sentiments, stressing that offenders of such environmental safeguards will not slip through the system unnoticed.
As part of the guilty plea, Stella-Jones will incur a $250,000 fine. Of the total penalty, $50,000 is suspended as long as the company follows environmental rules on pentachlorophenol during its three-year probation. Moreover, Stella-Jones is ordered to undertake corrective measures to ensure compliance with state laws and engage in remedial efforts to address potential environmental impacts in the vicinity of their operations. The case against Stella-Jones was led by Assistant Attorney General Jordan Bailey with the cooperation of entities including the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Oregon State Police.
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