Aron Borok, 503-229-5050
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.
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This committee’s purpose is to provide early input to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality on a rule establishing a multiple discharger variance for mercury in the Willamette Basin, as well as amendments to Oregon’s variance rule at OAR 340-041-0059.
Advisory Committee charter
Meeting 3
Jan. 24, 2019
Meeting 1 - Nov. 1, 2018
Advisory committee meetings are open to the public. The public may attend the meeting, but the committee has discretion whether to allow the public to participate in the meeting. The public will be able to comment on the proposed rule changes during the public notice and comment period later in the rulemaking. DEQ publishes meeting notices on https://www.oregon.gov/deq/Get-Involved/Pages/Calendar.aspx.
Please notify DEQ of any special physical or language accommodations or if you need information in large print, Braille or another format. To make these arrangements, contact DEQ, Portland, at 503-229-5696 or call toll-free in Oregon at 1-800-452-4011, ext. 5696; fax to 503-229-6762; or email to deqinfo@deq.state.or.us. Hearing impaired persons may call 711.
There are no public involvement events currently scheduled.
Meeting has not been scheduled yet.