Tag Archives: Environment

Final Public Health Assessment Report for Precision Castparts

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The final Public Health Assessment Report for Precision Castparts (PCC) has been uploaded to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA)’s website. A copy of the final report was shared with attendees at the March 18, 2020 virtual meeting hosted by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). (The public release was delayed due to OHA prioritizing the COVID-19 pandemic response.)

Although their public health assessment work is now complete, there are ongoing soil and water cleanup activities occurring at the PCC facility. PCC was also recently called into the Cleaner Air Oregon program, where it will be required to conduct a health-based risk assessment of its emissions. These activities are led by DEQ with support and consultation from the OHA Environmental Public Health team.

Questions or concerns? Contact the Environmental Public Health Team at Oregon Health Authority by email or phone at (503)-269-3689.

Information from March DEQ/OHA Virtual Meeting on Precision Castparts

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Did you miss the March virtual meeting with Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) on Precision Castparts? Board member, Pam Hodge, will report at our virtual monthly public board meeting on April 2nd. You can also view the PDF documents provided by DEQ and OHA below.

Virtual Air Quality Meeting with DEQ

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Meeting about Air Quality near PCC – ADOBE CONNECT

Due to health concerns, this meeting will take place virtually using a program called Adobe Connect. You can participate using a computer or smart device using the link below. To call in using a phone, dial the toll-free number and enter the participant code. Questions? Contact Lauren Wirtis at DEQ.

Join the online webinar: http://ordeq.adobeconnect.com/deqpdx

Call in to hear the audio:  

·         Dial: 1-866-377-3315

·         Participant Code: 7625693 <— Please note the correction from the graphic above!

Having trouble? The participant code is for audio only. The webinar is slide show only. Click on “guest” then type your name.

Ezone Map Correction Project Discussion Draft is available for public review

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News about the Environmental Overlay Zone Map Correction Project from Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability.

The Ezone Map Correction Project Discussion Draft is available for public review. Comments are due by January 31, 2020.

There are two ways to view the Discussion Draft:

  1. Look up your property through the Ezone Map.
  2. Download a copy of the Project Report from the website.

Learn More Here

Contact staff at:
Email: ezone@portlandoregon.gov
Phone: 503-823-4225

Continue reading →

Precision Castparts Spill Update

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On Wednesday, May 15, at around 12:40 p.m. local time, a truck carrying a Nitric and Hydrofluoric acid mixture leaked onto the ground at Precision Castparts’ facility in Milwaukie. Employees were evacuated and Clackamas Fire and Portland and Gresham HazMat teams were on scene. No injuries have been reported.

DEQ has been assessing the site. There are no issues with air quality. There was some release to Precision Castparts’ stormwater system, which discharges to Johnson Creek. Precision Castparts treated and recirculated the water with caustic to bring the pH up. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife conducted spot checks on margins and backwaters along Johnson Creek, but no dead fish were observed. DEQ instructed Precision Castparts to collect samples of the discharge water at the outfall and we expect results within a week or two.

On Thursday, May 16, a DEQ Water Quality specialist conducted a site inspection and evaluated the stormwater system at Precision Castparts. He determined there should be no environmental harm, as long as staff followed the established stormwater pollution control plan. He is waiting on an official report from Precision Castparts to understand exactly how they responded to the incident.

The release was apparently the result of a failure on a sampling port on a chamber in the tanker, but investigation into the cause is ongoing.

This update received from Daniel Newberry, Executive Director, Johnson Creek Watershed Council.

PCC Public Health Assessment – Public Comment Deadline EXTENDED!

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Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has agreed to extend the public comment period to April 15, 2019 on the Precision Castparts Corporation Public Health Assessment (PHA) findings.  You can view an independent review by Steven G. Gilbert, PhD, DABT, Institute of Neurotoxicology & Neurological Disorders (INND) by clicking here.

Community members who need OHA publications like the Public Health Assessment (PHA) in other languages, large print, braille, or other alternative formats can make this request by contacting the Public Health Division at 971-673-0977 or 971-673-0372.

Ways to Comment:

  • Visit www.healthoregon.org/pccpha for more information
  • Provide public comment by April 15th, 2019
    • via e-mail
    • via postal mail to: 800 NE Oregon St. Suite 640, Portland, OR 97232
  • Hard copies of the assessment made available at Woodstock Library (6008 SE 49th Ave)

Community Meeting – PCC Public Health Assessment

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From Oregon Health Authority:

Date & Time: November 29th, 2018 @ 6:00pm-8:30pm
Location: Lane Middle School—Library 7200 SE 60th Ave. Portland, OR 97206

Please join the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) for a community meeting on the Precision Castparts Corporation Public Health Assessment (PHA) findings. OHA recently released a PHA which found low health risks from contaminants detected near the facility. Environmental health experts will provide an overview of the findings and process and answer questions.

Schedule:
6:00pm-7:00pm: Open House
7:00pm-8:30pm: Presentation and Q & A Session

Can’t Attend? Other Ways To Get Involved:

Special Guests Rep. Karin Power and Oregon Health Authority in December!

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December 2018 Meeting Social Media Image

We cordially invite all neighbors and business owners to join us at the Brentwood-Darlington Community Center on Thursday, December 6th, 2018, 7:00-9:00PM, for our monthly meeting with special guests Rep. Karin Power (District 41) RESCHEDULED and Oregon Health Authority presents Precision Castparts Corp. Public Health Assessment.

Join our event on Facebook to stay up to date!

La Asociación de Vecinos de Brentwood-Darlington invita a todos sus vecinos y propietarios de negocios a participar en nuestras próximas reuniones, que incluyen los siguientes invitados especiales Rep. Karin Power (District 41) REPROGRAMADO y Oregon Health Authority presenta Precision Castparts Corp. Public Health Assessment.

Únete a nuestro evento en Facebook para estar al día.

E-Zone Map Correction Project

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BDNA NOTE: A representative from the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability will be at our August 2nd BDNA general meeting to talk about and answer questions for this project.

The E-zone Map Correction Project will adjust the location of Portland’s environmental overlay zones to match locations of existing streams, wetlands, steep slopes and vegetation as required by the new Comprehensive Plan. The environmental overlay zones protect natural resources that are essential for watershed health. The environmental overlay zones were applied to properties through officially adopted conservation plans around Portland starting in 1989 and completed in 2003.  With the new Natural Resources Inventory in 2012 it became obvious that some resources that are supposed to be protected (like stream segments) are not, while other lands have regulations but no natural resources. This project will correct that. If your property will be considered for remapping as part of this project, you will receive a postcard in the mail. The postcard will let you know where you can get more information about potential changes on your property.

Contact Mindy Brooks, 503-823-7831 or mindy.brooks@portlandoregon.gov for more information.  Check the website for meeting dates and events, www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/e-zone.

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