The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's Clean Water State Revolving Fund requires an environmental review for every project using even just $1 of Clean Water State Revolving Funds for construction. The nature of the environmental review differs depending on the project's expected environmental impacts.
Starting the State Environmental Review Process
To avoid delays, borrowers should identify potential environmental impacts as early as possible during project development.
Borrowers should start the environmental review during the design phase of their Clean Water State Revolving Funded project. DEQ recommends starting this review no later than the 30% design stage.
As part of the design activities and budget, DEQ can provide funds to complete the environmental review process.
Completing the State Environmental Review Process
It can take 6 to 24 months to successfully complete the process.
The State Environmental Review Process
The Applicant's Guide to the State Environmental Review Process explains DEQ's environmental review requirements, including additional details, steps, timelines, and applicable regulations.
The process has two main stages:
- Stage 1: Cross-cutters. Borrowers must successfully complete each of the nine required requirements, called cross-cutters. Borrowers submit documentation for DEQ review. Documents prepared for other agencies may be used, if applicable. Each cross-cutter has its own timeline and required steps. Once DEQ accepts or approves the cross-cutter documents, Stage 1 is complete. In certain, specific situations, DEQ may waive Stage 1.
- Stage 2: Public notice and comment period. DEQ then issues either a 14-day or 30-day public notice and comment period, depending on the environmental determination; this stage is not waived. The State Environmental Review Process is successfully complete when all the public comments have been reviewed and addressed.
Important Reminder
Do NOT break ground until after the environmental review and public notice period is successfully complete. Doing so risks losing the entirety of the loan.
Contact
Please work closely with the project officer or program staff to understand and complete this requirement.
View the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Contacts on our home page.