Oregon regulators proposed a $108,324 fine  for a Waldport RV park owner who they say operated an antiquated sewage treatment system that discharged sewage onto the ground, according to The Oregonian, Portland, Ore.
Anthony M. Simon, owner of the King Silver RV Park & Marina, has until Feb. 5 to appeal the penalty. He did not immediately return calls for comment.
The Department of Environmental Quality said it issued a permit in August for the RV park near the Alsea River to operate a new and updated septic system to replace an outdated system.
But by mid-January, construction on the new system had not occurred, the agency said. Almost all the proposed penalty is an estimate of the economic benefit Simon and his business gained by avoiding costs to upgrade the system.
On at least three occasions — in July, November and December — untreated sewage or septic tank effluent spilled onto the ground within the park, DEQ said. The agency issued Simon a warning letter on Oct. 1, requesting that he correct the problem by replacing the old system.
In its latest action, DEQ also ordered Simon to prevent further discharges, decommission the existing system and complete construction of the permitted system as soon as weather allows, but by no later than Sept. 1. Agency officials acknowledged that Simon is taking steps to upgrade the system and prevent further spills.
The proposed penalty follows a $246,000 proposed penalty in October against a Seaside mobile home and RV park with similar sewage problems.
