Programs

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Programs


  • Action on Climate ChangeOregon is famous for its efforts to protect the environment and for not doing business as usual. Today, the Department of Environmental Quality is meeting the challenge of climate change head-on. Science shows that, working together, we can make a difference.
  • Air Contaminant Discharge PermitsAir Contaminant Discharge Permits are primarily used to regulate minor sources of air contaminant emissions, but are also required for any new major source or major modification at a major source.
  • Air Quality Home
  • Air Quality MonitoringAir Quality Monitoring program is responsible for providing accurate scientific data concerning the State of Oregon’s air quality to ensure that the state meets the National Ambient Air Quality Standards as required by the Federal Clean Air Act.
  • Air Quality Permits and Technical Assistance
  • Air Quality Today
  • Air ToxicsThe Oregon Air Toxics program works with communities and local governments to create and implement plans to further reduce air toxics.
  • Air Toxics Emissions InventoryPart of the Cleaner Air Oregon Regulatory overhaul, this website was created to assist facilities permitted by DEQ and Lane Regional Air Protection Agency identify emissions information to provide for this request.
  • AsbestosForms and guidance for working with asbestos.
  • Ballast Water ManagementThe goal of the DEQ's Ballast Water Management Program is to prevent the introduction of aquatic invasive species to state waters from commercial ocean-going ships.
  • BiosolidsThe Department of Environmental Quality implements a statewide program that encourages the beneficial use of biosolids in a manner to protect public health and maintain or improve environmental quality.
  • BrownfieldsA generally accepted definition of a brownfield is "a real property where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by actual or perceived environmental contamination."
  • Burning RegulationDEQ regulates many types of burning in Oregon including commercial, construction, demolition, domestic, and industrial. Other types of burning, such as forestry and agricultural field burning, are regulated by other state agencies or local governments.
  • Clean Water State Revolving FundThe Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan program provides low-cost loans for the planning, design and construction of various water pollution control activities. Any public agency in Oregon is eligible for a CWSRF loan. Eligible public agencies include tribal nations, cities, counties, sanitary districts, soil and water conservation districts, irrigation districts and various special districts and certain intergovernmental entities.
  • Cleaner Air Oregon
  • Compliance and Enforcement
  • CompostingComposting contributes to Oregon’s waste recovery goals through the efforts of commercial and agricultural composting operations and citizens who compost in their backyards.
  • Conversion Technology FacilitiesConversion technology facilities use organic wastes such as plastics and tires to produce fuels, chemicals or other useful products.
  • DisposalSolid Waste disposal forms and beneficial use of solid waste determinations.
  • Drinking Water ProtectionOregon implements drinking water protection through a partnership of DEQ and the Oregon Health Authority. The program provides information about drinking water, helps Oregonians get involved in protecting drinking water quality.
  • Dry Cleaners
  • Emergency ResponseDEQ's Emergency Response Program is designed to carry out legislative direction to work with other agencies and industry to prevent and respond to spills of oil and hazardous materials.
  • Employee Commute OptionsUnder the DEQ ECO program, employers with more than 100 employees must provide commute options to employees designed to reduce the number of cars driven to work in Portland and surrounding areas.
  • Environmental Cleanup
  • Environmental Impacts of Food Waste ManagementDEQ commissioned a project to assess the environmental impacts of the four most common food waste processing technologies to help inform the direction that would be best for the state to follow as food waste recovery programs begin to expand across Oregon.
  • Environmental Quality Commission
  • Gasoline Vapor Recovery ProgramVapors are emitted during the storage and distribution of gasoline. Gas vapors contain air toxics such as benzene, a known carcinogen, and produce smog. DEQ regulations require that Oregon's service stations, gasoline transporters, bulk tanks and terminals have equipment to capture gas vapors. These regulations protect the health of employees and the public, conserve fuel, prevent spills and contamination, and prevent the malfunction of vapor recovery systems installed on newer vehicles.
  • Green BuildingDEQ's green building program focuses on reducing environmental impacts over the lifecycle of building materials used in residential homes.
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Cap and Reduce ProgramOptions to cap and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from large stationary sources, transportation fuels, and other liquid and gaseous fuels, including natural gas.
  • Greenhouse Gas ReportingEach year, many Oregon businesses and industries that create greenhouse gas emissions submit an annual emissions report to DEQ. Learn more about the types of facilities required to report, reporting deadlines and the methodologies used to calculate and report emissions.
  • Groundwater Protection Groundwater is vital to the public health, economy, and environment of Oregon. DEQ has the primary authority for groundwater quality protection.
  • Hazardous WasteDEQ is authorized by the federal Environmental Protection Agency to regulate hazardous waste in Oregon. Proper hazardous waste management is an integral part of protecting Oregon's land, air, and water systems.
  • Heat SmartIf you’re buying or selling a home with a woodstove or fireplace insert in Oregon, you must ensure it was certified to meet emissions performance standards at the time of manufacture.
  • Heating Oil TanksThe HOT Program handles issues related to tanks storing fuel oil to heat buildings for human habitation.
  • Household Hazardous WasteAccording to national estimates, each home contains from three to eight gallons of hazardous materials in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and basements.
  • Industrial PretreatmentThe National Pretreatment Program is a cooperative effort of federal, state, and local regulatory environmental agencies established to protect water quality.
  • Infectious WasteInfectious Waste can be a threat to human health and the environment. Because so many people can come into contact with infectious waste, it is very important that this special type of waste be properly managed.
  • Leaking Underground Storage Tanks ProgramThe Leaking Underground Storage Tank Program handles issues related to cleanup of soil and groundwater contamination from spills and releases from regulated underground storage tanks.
  • Materials ManagementDEQ's materials management programs help consumers and industry make more sustainable choices for Oregon's future. They include: recycling, composting, waste prevention, etc.
  • Materials Management Grants DEQ's grant program, recently re-started in 2015, offers funding for recycling, waste prevention and other materials management projects.
  • Mercury Information
  • Nonpoint Source PollutionThe goal of DEQ's Nonpoint Source Program is to prevent and eliminate water pollution from nonpoint sources in all waterbodies in the state. A nonpoint source of pollution is any pollution entering a waterbody that does not come directly from a pipe.
  • Nuisance Odor Strategy
  • Office of Greenhouse Gas ProgramsThe Office of Greenhouse Gas Programs is leading DEQ's effort to reduce Oregon's contribution to global greenhouse gas pollution by developing and implementing policies, strategies and programs that provide important reductions in these emissions.
  • Onsite Wastewater Management Program (Septic Systems)Over 30 percent of Oregonians rely on septic systems to treat wastewater from their homes and businesses. DEQ regulates the siting, design, installation and ongoing operation and maintenance of septic systems. Without this oversight, septic systems can fail or malfunction, pollute Oregon’s land and waterways with raw sewage and create public health hazards.
  • Oregon Basin Map
  • Oregon Clean Diesel InitiativeThe Clean Diesel Initiative was formed to work with fleet owners and operators to offer ways they can take advantage of the benefits of diesel engines, while reducing their impact.
  • Oregon Clean Fuels ProgramThe Clean Fuels Program is a critical component of Oregon’s plan to reduce greenhouse gases in the transportation sector such as creating cleaner cars, using cleaner fuels and reducing the amount that Oregonians drive. In addition to reducing greenhouse gases, the program has many co-benefits including reductions in other air pollutants, improvements to public health and increased energy security.
  • Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate ProgramThe Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program offers a cash rebate for Oregon drivers who purchase or lease electric vehicles (EV).
  • Oregon E-CyclesOregon E-Cycles Program
  • Oregon Low Emission Vehicle RegulationsTo help Oregon’s continuing effort to reduce air pollution from vehicles statewide, Oregon has adopted California’s program for Zero Emission Vehicles. The latest zero emission regulations apply to new cars and light-duty trucks and will significantly increase the number of emission-free vehicles delivered to Oregon beginning with the 2018 model year.
  • PaintIn 2009 Oregon enacted a law requiring architectural paint manufacturers to start a program to reduce waste, increase reuse and recycling, and safely dispose of remaining unusable paint and other coatings. Paint product stewardship program complements and expands on the network of local waste collection programs, saving local governments money in transportation and disposal costs.
  • Pesticide Stewardship Partnerships Oregon Pesticide Stewardship Partnerships identify potential concerns and improve water quality affected by pesticide use around Oregon.
  • Product StewardshipProducers and consumers share responsibility and cost for materials management.
  • Prospective Purchaser Agreements
  • Recycling
  • Regional Solutions Team
  • Rulemaking
  • Section 401 Hydropower CertificationDEQ issues 401 certifications for hydroelectric projects and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission administers the federal licensing process. The water quality certification typically includes operating conditions designed to ensure project operations will not violate water quality standards.
  • Section 401 Removal and Fill Certification The 401 Water Quality Certification program reviews and evaluates the water quality impacts of projects which require a federal permit or license to conduct any activity that may result in a discharge (including dredge and fill material) in waters of the United States under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act.
  • Site Assessment
  • Small Business Assistance ProgramOregon's Business Assistance Program provides technical assistance on air quality rules and related environmental issues. We help small businesses understand what rules apply to them, what requirements they need to comply with and what permitting requirements apply to their industry sector.
  • Solid Waste DisposalLearn about all things related to disposal, including landfills, animal mortality, illegal dumping, infectious waste, waste tires.
  • Solid Waste Permits
  • Tanks ProgramThe Tanks Section is a driving force behind restoring, enhancing and maintaining the quality of Oregon's air, water and land by the proper installation of new tank systems; the monitoring, maintenance and upgrade of existing tank systems; and the timely cleanup of petroleum contamination from UST releases.
  • Title V PermitsThe program clarifies the environmental obligations of a business by organizing in one document all of a business' air pollution control requirements.
  • Total Maximum Daily LoadsThis site contains links to Total Maximum Daily Load and Water Quality Management Plan documents prepared for waterbodies in Oregon designated as water quality limited on the 303(d) list.
  • Toxic Reduction and Safer AlternativesWe want chemicals, materials, and products that are safe for people and ecosystems throughout their life cycle.
  • Underground Injection ControlDEQ's Underground Injection Control Program is responsible for regulating the construction, operation, permitting, and closure of injection wells that place fluids underground for storage or disposal.
  • Underground Storage Tanks The UST Program handles issues related to tanks storing gasoline, ethanol, diesel, biodiesel and listed hazardous substances.
  • Universal Waste
  • Used Oil Management
  • Vehicle InspectionDEQ operates a Vehicle Inspection Program in the Portland and Rogue Valley areas of Oregon. In these areas, an emissions test is required when registering or renewing a vehicle with Oregon DMV.
  • Voluntary Cleanup
  • Waste Prevention and Reuse
  • Waste Prevention Campaigns
  • Waste Recovery and Composting
  • Wastewater Operator CertificationOregon law requires owners of wastewater systems and drinking water systems (public and private) to have their systems under responsible control and direction of certified operators. Oregon DEQ administers the program for domestic wastewater system operators.
  • Water Quality AssessmentEvery two years, DEQ is required to assess water quality and report to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the condition of Oregon's waters. DEQ prepares an Integrated Report that meets the requirements of the federal Clean Water Act for Sections 305(b) and 303(d).
  • Water Quality Credit TradingWater quality trading is an innovative program that allows facilities that discharge wastewater to a stream or river to meet regulatory obligations by purchasing equivalent or larger pollution reductions from another source, or by taking action to protect or restore riparian areas, wetlands, floodplains, and aquatic habitat to reduce the impact of pollutants.
  • Water Quality Home
  • Water Quality MonitoringDEQ is responsible for keeping Oregon’s surface waters safe and healthy for a variety of uses such as drinking water, recreation, fish habitat and irrigation. To monitor status trends in water quality, DEQ regularly collects water samples at over 130 sites on more than 50 rivers and streams across the state.
  • Water Quality Permit Program Permit applications and other forms for wastewater, stormwater, underground injection control, section 401 and metal mining activities.
  • Water Quality StandardsDEQ uses water quality standards to assess whether the quality of Oregon's rivers and lakes is adequate for fish and other aquatic life, recreation, drinking, agriculture, industry and other uses. DEQ also uses the standards as regulatory tools to prevent pollution of the state's waters.
  • Water Quality Toxics MonitoringIn 2008, the DEQ Laboratory launched a statewide water quality toxics monitoring program. Lab staff sampled water, fish and sediment on a rotating basin basis. Land use, population pressures, past contamination and discharges were all factors in choosing monitoring sites.
  • Water ReuseOregon DEQ implements a statewide program that encourages water reuse (use of recycled water) in a manner to protect public health and the environment.
  • Wood StovesDEQ has developed the statewide woodstove program to promote the use of cleaner burning woodstoves, and help homeowners burn more efficiently and with less pollution.
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