The Department of Environmental Quality is a state agency and, like many larger state agencies, gets policy direction from a commission, appointed by the Governor. In the case of the DEQ, there is a five-member Environmental Quality Commission, appointed by the Governor, without any required qualifications or criteria.

A group of citizens has proposed an initiative that would require the Governor to consider the following criteria when making an appointment:

     (a) No two members shall reside in the same Congressional district.
     (b) At least one member shall be from the mining community
     (c) At least one member shall be from the agricultural community
     (d) At least one member shall be from the manufacturing community
     (e) At least one member shall be from the timber community

Registered Oregon voters who are interested in signing the petition can download the signature sheet here. It must be printed, signed and snail mailed to one of the addresses on the back. It cannot be electronically submitted.

The DEQ budget is comprised of five major program units: Air Quality, Water Quality, Land Quality, Agency Management, and Pollution Control Bonds.

• Air Quality – This program area is responsible for compliance with federal and state air quality standards. The program monitors air quality to protect public health through the development and implementation of pollution reduction strategies. The primary sources of air pollution in Oregon are motor vehicles, forest slash burning, woodstoves, industrial facilities, field burning, and area sources. The federally delegated air quality program includes statewide air quality monitoring and emissions inventory, strategic planning for pollution reduction, and a permit system.

• Water Quality – This program area’s primary functions are setting and monitoring water quality standards and assessments, controlling wastewater through permits and certifications, providing financial and technical assistance, implementing the Oregon Plan for the restoration of salmon populations and watersheds, and implementing portions of the Safe Drinking Water Act. The Water Quality program also operates the nonpoint source pollution program in Oregon. Nonpoint source pollution is not attributable to a specific source point. Examples of nonpoint source pollution include storm water and agricultural runoff.

• Land Quality – This program area focuses on preventing and reducing waste generation, assuring that waste generated is properly managed, responding to emergency spills, and cleaning up sites contaminated with hazardous substances and uncontrolled releases of toxic chemicals. Land Quality operates the federally approved solid waste landfill compliance program and the federally delegated hazardous waste program.

• Agency Management – This program provides leadership, coordination, and support for DEQ and staff assistance for the Environmental Quality Commission.

• Pollution Control Bonds – The sale of pollution control bonds is used by the Department to finance the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, the Sewer Assessment Deferral Loan program, and the Orphan Site program. Bond proceeds are used to finance municipal waste water facility construction and other water pollution reduction projects.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-04-26 17:23:46

Last Update: 2020-04-26 17:23:56