A Big Stink In Hermiston
Plans to expand a wastewater operation near Hermiston is causing alarm among neighbors. Hermiston Foods is installing a new, 10 million gallon treatment lagoon southeast of town. The company already has a 3 million gallon pond nearby. Neighbors say the smell is overpowering at times, and some report increasing levels of nitrates in their drinking water. From the East Oregonian.
Solar Plant Begins Operating In Salem
Sanyo Solar began operations at its manufacturing plant in Salem. The plant makes products that are used in solar cells. It employs about 100 people and plans to double that sometime next year. From the Salem Statesman Journal.
Gold Miner Found Guilty
A U.S. District Judge says Clifford Tracy is guilty of illegal mining. Tracy, of Gold Hill, was arrested in September and his case has sparked a series of stories about gold mining in Southern Oregon. Governor Kulongoski joined the controversy when he asked the feds to ban gold mining on federal land. From the Medford Mail Tribune.
EPA Says Clean It Up, or Else
The Environmental Protection Agency has ordered a Central Oregon ranch owner to finish cleaning up a hazardous waste dump on his property. It says if Dennis Beetham, won’t complete the job voluntarily then the EPA will hire contractors to do the work and will send him the bill. Beetham and Oregon DEQ were working together on cleaning up the site, but the process broke down over the summer. From the Bend Bulletin.
