Adopted rule
Administrative Order No. DEQ 3-2020
Filed and effective: Jan. 24, 2020
See Oregon Bulletin, February 2020
This rulemaking will add procedures for qualifying point source dischargers in the Willamette Basin to apply for and obtain a water quality standards variance that would apply to water quality based effluent limits for mercury. The proposed rules will require the dischargers to continue to work to decrease mercury in effluent.
In addition, DEQ is proposing changes to the variance rule (OAR 340-041-0061) to be consistent with recent changes to parallel federal regulations. This rulemaking will allow DEQ permit writers to issue permits that would otherwise have unattainable water-quality based effluent limits for mercury. The variance will allow permit holders to meet mercury effluent limits while still requiring them to reduce mercury loads over time.