ORS 466.680 Responsibility for expenses of cleanup; record; treble damages; order; appeal

If a person required to clean up oil or hazardous material under ORS 466.645 fails or refuses to do so, the person shall be responsible for the reasonable expenses incurred by the Department of Environmental Quality in carrying out ORS 466.645.

The department shall keep a record of all expenses incurred in carrying out any cleanup projects or activities authorized under ORS 466.645, including charges for services performed and the state’s equipment and materials utilized.

Any person who does not make a good faith effort to clean up oil or hazardous material when obligated to do so under ORS 466.645 shall be liable to the department for damages not to exceed three times the amount of all expenses incurred by the department.

Based on the record compiled by the department under subsection (2) of this section, the Environmental Quality Commission shall make a finding and enter an order against the person described in subsection (1) or (3) of this section for the amount of damages, not to exceed treble damages, and the expenses incurred by the state in carrying out the action authorized by this section. The order may be appealed in the manner provided for appeal of a contested case order under ORS chapter 183.

If the amount of state incurred expenses and damages under this section are not paid by the responsible person to the department within 15 days after receipt of notice that such expenses are due and owing, or, if an appeal is filed within 15 days after the court renders its decision if the decision affirms the order, the Attorney General, at the request of the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality, shall bring an action in the name of the State of Oregon in a court of competent jurisdiction to recover the amount specified in the notice of the director.