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Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 2021

416th regular meeting of the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission

Sept. 30 - Oct. 1, 2021: Teleconference

The commission held its regular meeting on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 2021. On Thursday evening, the commission also held a hearing for the Climate Protection Plan rulemaking. People could attend the meeting and hearing via Zoom web-based online conferencing platform or toll-free telephone connection.


Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021: Regular meeting recording

Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021: Rulemaking hearing recording

Friday, Oct. 1, 2021: Regular meeting recording

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Thursday, September 30: 12:30 to 7 p.m.

All times shown are approximate

12:30 p.m.
Welcome and meeting open
The commission will open the meeting and review the day’s agenda.

12:35 p.m.
Item A, Action: Draft meeting minutes
The commissioners will review and take action on the draft minutes from the July 22-23, 2021, regular EQC meeting.

12:40 p.m.
Item B, Action: Water Quality Permit fees
DEQ will propose a three percent fee increase for Water Quality National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits and Water Pollution Control Facility permits for fiscal year 2022.
Item B presentation slides
 
1:10 p.m.
Item C, Informational: Water Quality Standards Triennial Review report and workplan
DEQ will present on the report and workplan for the Oregon Water Quality Standards Triennial Review.
Item C presentation slides

1:45 p.m.
Break

1:55 p.m.
Item D, Informational: Water Quality Integrated Report 2022 updates
DEQ will present updates on the 2022 Oregon Water Quality Integrated Report, including methodology and comments received during a public comment period for the materials.
Item D presentation slides

Comment opportunity for Item D
Following the staff presentation, the commission will open a brief comment period specific to the Integrated Report methodology. Sign-ups to comment will occur at the meeting, not by pre-registration, and people are asked to limit comments to two minutes or less.

 
2:30 p.m.
Item E, Informational: Updates on the Water Quality MOU with Oregon Department of Forestry
DEQ will present updates on the Memorandum of Understanding between DEQ and Forestry for water quality protections.
Item E presentation slides

2:55 p.m.
Item F, Informational: Diversity, equity and inclusion work at DEQ
Director Whitman will discuss recent agency updates for DEI work, including the hiring of a new DEI Coordinator, and the formation of an internal DEI Council.
Item F presentation slides

3:30 p.m.
Item G, Informational: Updates on the Climate Protection Program
DEQ will present updates to the Climate Protection Program rules, including updates made to the draft proposed rules since the July 22-23, 2021, EQC meeting.
Item G presentation slides

3:45 p.m.
Break
 

4:15
Hearing: Climate Protection Program

The commission will hold a hearing for the Climate Protection Program’s draft proposed rules. Staff will present a short overview of the proposal, after which the commission will accept public comment specific to the proposal. During the hearing, the commission will open an opportunity for same-day sign ups, as shown on the schedule below. People presenting comment are asked to limit all comments to two minutes or less.

Hearing presentation slides

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Recess
The commission will recess until 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021.


Friday, October 1: 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by executive session

All times shown are approximate

9:30 a.m.
Welcome and meeting open
The commission will open the meeting and review the day’s agenda.

9:35 a.m.
Item H, Public forum
During this item, the commission welcomes public comment on general environmental and public health concerns relevant to EQC work.

  • Sign-ups to comment will occur at the start of this agenda item, not by pre-registration.
  • People are asked to limit comments to three minutes or less.
  • The commission may shorten comment time to allow all interested parties the opportunity to speak.
  • Timing will be confirmed at the start of this item, based on total number of people requesting to comment.


10:35 a.m.
Break

10:45 a.m.
Item I, Action: Landfill methane rules
DEQ will propose rules for the regulation of methane from landfills, as part of the directives in Executive Order 20-04.
Item I presentation slides

11:25 a.m.
Item J, Informational: Environmental Justice work at DEQ
DEQ will present on the agency’s Environmental Justice Work Group's progress in developing a work plan for building the technical, communication and education infrastructure and tools required to incorporate environmental justice into DEQ's mission and operations.
Item J presentation slides

11:55 a.m.
Item K, Informational: Director’s report
Director Whitman will present written and verbal updates on agency activities and other issues of interest to the commission.

12:45 p.m.
Item L, Informational: Commissioner reports
Commissioners will provide verbal updates on their activities and work of interest to the commission and DEQ, including formal liaison roles with other state boards.
FAQ for House Bill 2992

1 p.m.
Adjourn
The commission will adjourn its regular meeting.

1 p.m.
Executive session
Following the regular meeting, the commission will hold an Executive Session. This executive session will be held pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(f) and (h).

Executive session is a closed meeting for commissioners, specific DEQ staff and staff from the Oregon Department of Justice, to discuss confidential legal information and updates. Per state law, members of the media may attend executive session; however, they may not report on the specifics or details of any discussions or information presented during executive session. 

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Contact

For questions about the commission please contact Stephanie Caldera

 

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Please contact Stephanie Caldera for commission materials prior to 2020.