Dan Desler, 65, pleaded not guilty last week in Linn County Circuit Court to seven counts of first-degree air pollution, three counts of second-degree air pollution, supplying false information to an agency and recklessly endangering another in connection with a demolition project in Sweet Home.
A pretrial readiness hearing is scheduled for June 14. A trial is set for Sept. 20 to Oct. 1 at Linn County Courthouse.
The charges stem from the demolition of buildings containing asbestos at 2210 Tamarack St., a 153-acre mill site east of the intersection of Tamarack Street and 18th Avenue formerly owned by Willamette Industries. The mill was in operation from 1959 to 1994.
Buildings on the property were partially demolished beginning in 2007 and stopped in February 2008 after asbestos was discovered in the debris left on the ground following the demolition.
The property is owned by Western States Land Reliance Trust. Desler is the managing trustee.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency removed more than 4 million pounds of asbestos-containing debris from the site, according to EPA figures. The cost was about $1.1 million.
First-degree air pollution is a class B felony. Second-degree air pollution is an unclassified violation. Supplying false information is a class C felony. Recklessly endangering another is a class A misdemeanor.