The Oregon Department of Agriculture issued 13 civil penalties totaling $28,740 in 2012 for violations of confined animal feeding operation permits, according to a department-issued press release.

Hardest hit were Oregon State University's Dairy Center in Benton County and Charlie Eggert of Rock Ridge Farms in Marion County. The dairy center was fined $6,920 for discharging manure to surface waters. Eggert was fined $4,560 for the same violation.

Also in 2012, ODA issued five civil penalties totaling $4,360 for violations associated with its Agricultural Water Quality Management Program.

--Mitch Lies