EnvironmentTop story
DEQ says a Precision Castparts chemical release likely killed fish in Johnson Creek
The release may have sent 394 gallons of sodium hydroxide into the creek
- 394 gallons
- of sodium hydroxide may have been released
- 1 to 2 miles
- of creek with dead fish and aquatic life
- 2
- Class I water-pollution violations cited by DEQ
If you use the Springwater Corridor Trail along Johnson Creek, this one's for you. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality says a chemical release from Precision Castparts' Southeast Portland facility likely killed fish and other aquatic life in the creek in September. Investigators found dead aquatic life along a one- to two-mile stretch after reports of foamy discharge on Sept. 18.
The company says process water from a new air-quality control device entered its stormwater system and flowed into the creek. It also reported smaller amounts of sodium hydrosulfide and sodium chlorite. DEQ told the company it had committed "the most serious violations" of Oregon environmental law.
DEQ's notice came about five weeks after the release began
- Sept. 17Release through the company's stormwater system begins, DEQ's notice says.
- Sept. 18Foamy discharge and dead fish reported near the Springwater Corridor Trail.
- Sept. 19The release window closes, per the dates in DEQ's notice.
- Oct. 23DEQ issues a pre-enforcement notice citing two Class I violations.
- The Oct. 23 notice is not a fine or a final order
- Possible next steps: civil penalties or corrective orders
- Fish count: DEQ hasn't released one, and the investigation is open
“The natural flowing of Johnson Creek would have neutralized the corrosivity and diluted the spilled material to safe levels within hours once the discharge stopped.”
Jonathan Modie, Oregon Health Authority, which found no ongoing health risk
