TILLAMOOK, Ore. (AP) — A judge has rejected a request by Oregon officials to dismiss a lawsuit contending the state is allowing pollution from dairies to harm oyster harvests in Tillamook Bay.
The Capital Press reports in a story on Friday that Tillamook County Circuit Judge Mari Garric Trevino denied the request from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.
Oyster Co. President Jesse Hayes is seeking $100,000 in damages and an order forcing the state to strengthen pollution regulations in the area that Hayes says are insufficient.
Hayes says fecal coliform bacteria from animal waste that flows into Tillamook Bay is so high he’s prohibited from harvesting oysters.
The state agency says it can’t be held liable for the problems in Tillamook Bay and that the lawsuit should be directed at the dairymen.