Portland, OR – Magar Edward Magar, owner of the Riverwood Mobile Home Park, has been convicted of multiple charges related to the unlawful discharge of sewage waste and falsification of records, bringing a close to a case investigated by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The incident, occurring in 2015, saw untreated sewage flowing into a stream ultimately connected to the Columbia River, raising concerns about environmental damage and public health.
According to court documents, Magar was initially indicted on April 23, 2015, following an investigation into repeated violations of his National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The NPDES permit dictates the allowable limits for pollutants discharged into waterways, designed to protect water quality. Investigators discovered that the Riverwood Mobile Home Park was routinely exceeding these limits, releasing raw sewage into the unnamed stream.
The case took a criminal turn when evidence surfaced indicating Magar wasn’t merely negligent, but actively attempting to conceal the violations. Authorities allege Magar supplied false information to the DEQ regarding the park’s wastewater treatment system and falsified business records to cover up the illegal discharges. This deliberate deception escalated the severity of the charges and demonstrated a clear intent to circumvent environmental regulations.
Legal Ramifications
On April 4, 2016, Magar pled guilty to three separate offenses: Unlawful Water Pollution in the First Degree (Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 468.946), a Class B felony; Supplying False Information to an Agency (ORS 468.953), a Class C felony; and Falsifying Business Records (ORS 165.080), a Class A misdemeanor. The penalties reflected the seriousness of the crimes. Magar was sentenced to a $600 criminal fine, 40 hours of community service, and a suspended 30-day jail sentence. Furthermore, he was ordered to pay $18,797 in restitution to the Oregon DEQ to cover the costs of investigation and remediation.
Environmental Impact & DEQ Response
While the specific environmental impact of the sewage discharge is still being assessed, experts worry about the potential for bacterial contamination, harm to aquatic life, and the long-term effects on the Columbia River ecosystem. The Oregon DEQ has emphasized its commitment to enforcing environmental regulations and holding polluters accountable. “This case sends a clear message that we will pursue criminal charges against those who knowingly violate environmental laws and endanger our waterways,” stated a DEQ spokesperson.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Magar Edward Magar
- Location: Riverwood Mobile Home Park, Oregon
- Year of Offense: 2015
- Statutes Violated:
- ORS 468.946 – Unlawful Water Pollution in the First Degree (Class B Felony)
- ORS 468.953 – Supplying False Information to an Agency (Class C Felony)
- ORS 165.080 – Falsifying Business Records (Class A Misdemeanor)
- Penalties: $600 fine, 40 hours community service, 30 days suspended jail time, $18,797 restitution
- Nature of Crime: Illegal discharge of sewage waste and falsification of records.
This case highlights the ongoing struggle to balance development with environmental protection and the importance of vigilant enforcement of environmental regulations. GrimyTimes will continue to follow developments related to environmental crime and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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