Cement company in Baker County fined over $866K for DEQ violation
By Logan Bagett on Wednesday, December 24th, 2025 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
DURKEE — The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has announced that Ash Grove Cement Company in Baker County will be fined for stormwater violations that occurred in March. According to the DEQ, the cement company is facing a fine of $866,985 for, “Failing to implement stormwater sediment and erosion control measures, which resulted in discharge of significant amounts of sediment to surface waters.” The DEQ also issued the fine for the company failing to monitor stormwater discharge. The environmental impact of the violation is stated to affect fish and aquatic life. The penalty was issued on November 4th.
Ash Grove Cement Company had 20 days after receiving the notice to either pay the fine to the state treasury or file an appeal. DEQ reports, “They may be able to offset a portion of a penalty by funding a supplemental environmental project that improves Oregon’s environment. Learn more about these projects at ordeq.org/sep.”
A total of seven penalties were issued statewide last month.
