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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend July 26, 2005 DEQ plans action against contractor Construction company working on Gold Hill water supply station broke two cofferdams By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune GOLD HILL — Contractors preparing the city’s future water supply station deny they violated state regulations when plumes of muddy water were released into the Rogue River last week. John Holmes, owner of Johnny Cat Construction of Medford, said his crews were following plans from Lee-Pace Engineering of Oregon City, contracted by Gold Hill. "We didn’t do anything wrong," he said. But an official from the Department of Environmental Quality said on July 21 he witnessed "a lot of brown water" after Johnny Cat crews used heavy machinery to break open portions of two cofferdams. Bill Meyers, DEQ’s Rogue Basin coordinator, said he was following up on reports from another DEQ inspector who traced sediment-laden water back to the construction site the night before. Advertisement "The DEQ will undertake enforcement action," Meyers said. Holmes said Meyers is mistaken. "I don’t know what (Meyers) says he saw, but we were allowed to let the water out," said Holmes. "And I don’t know what else might have happened downstream." Work halted on July 21. Bob Lobdell, Department of State Lands natural resource coordinator, issued a "cease-and-desist" order after learning that the amount of rock used to create the cofferdams — 3,000 cubic yards — violated the city’s January permit. Cofferdams provide a dry space in the river for construction. Stop-work violations can carry penalties of up to $10,000 a day. But on Monday, Holmes said Lobdell ordered crews back to work on non-river portions of the $1,084,000 project. "We’re working on repairing the bike path and the pavement," said Holmes. "We can do everything that is outside the water." Holmes expects his crews will be back at work in the water soon, he said. "We’re in mediation with State Lands right now," said Holmes, adding he must submit a plan demonstrating compliance with permit restrictions. Lobdell did not return phone calls Monday. Lee-Pace Engineering spokesman Ed Hodges said Thursday his firm is looking into the matter. Meyers said the DEQ will pursue the project’s water-quality violations. "We are getting clarification from our legal staff in Portland," said Meyers. "But right now it looks like the city, the engineer and the contractor will be named in enforcement." Public Works Director Royal Gasso said the city is cooperating with all environmental agency investigations — and should not be held liable for contractor error. "We are gathering information to make sure the city was diligent in all their monitoring," Gasso said. "But it makes no sense to go after the city. That’s why we hired an engineer and an inspector and a contractor." The Oregon Department of Water Resources and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation ordered the city to relocate its water pumps and remove the diversion dam after it was declared a barrier to fish passage. Gasso said the two cofferdams need to be removed as soon as possible because they prohibit fish migration. "We hope whatever action they take is speedy," said Gasso. "There’s tons of rock in the river. How are fish supposed to get around that?" Reach reporter Sanne Spechtat 776-4497 or e-mail DEQ plans action against contractor ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Investments & Loans Advertisement s