What is a Supplemental Environmental Project?
If a company or person has been assessed civil penalties for environmental law violations, the penalties owed to DEQ may be reduced by agreeing to fund projects that benefit public health and the environment in Oregon. Penalties may be mitigated dollar for dollar up to 80 percent.
Who and what projects qualify?
To proceed with a SEP, several requirements must be met. These are listed below. Please note that DEQ prefers projects that relate to the same environmental program and geographic areas in which the violation occurred. For example, a penalty recipient in central Oregon cited for illegally dumping wastewater into a river might choose a water quality improvement project in Jefferson, Crook, or Wheeler county. Specifically:
- The project must primarily benefit public health or the environment in Oregon.
- DEQ must approve the project before it can begin.
- The penalty recipient's contribution to the project must be worth at least as much as the penalty reduction.
- The project must not be an activity or result that is already required by law or is set to become a future requirement.
- The portion of the project attributable to penalty reduction cannot be funded by government contracts, loans or grants.
- If the penalty recipient is doing the project work, its responsibilities under the SEP should align with its expertise and capabilities.
- The project cannot result in DEQ controlling the funds or implementing the project.
- A SEP cannot fulfill DEQ statutory obligations nor circumvent statutory provisions.
- Project must not create a significant market or economic advantage for the violator.
- Project must include a final report about the project, submitted to DEQ.
Are examples of past, successful projects or ideas available?
Yes. DEQ maintains and updates a list of possible project ideas. Visit the
Office of Compliance and Enforcement's Supplemental Environmental Projects web page.
Can a third party conduct the project if I (or the company) commits the funds?
Yes. Many successful SEPs are the result of work of third-party nonprofit organizations, such as local communities, cities, watershed councils, etc. Before a penalty can be mitigated, however, a defined project must be approved by DEQ.
How do I get started?
Choose one of the options below to get started with a project: