Frequently Asked Questions about Water Quality
(last updated 04/21/2022)
NPDES 1200A Permits
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Do I need a NPDES 1200-A permit?
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Who do I contact to report turbid (muddy) storm water runoff or other water quality concerns?
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Does the DEQ NPDES 1200-A General Permit allow turbid water to be discharged?
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I had no stormwater discharge this year; do I still need to submit monitoring reports?
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Who and where do I pay my permit renewal fee to?
WPCF 1000 Permits
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When do I need a WPCF 1000 Permit?
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Do I need to conduct water quality monitoring under the WPCF 1000 permit?
I can't find the answers to my questions on your site.
NPDES 1200A Permits
Do I need a NPDES 1200-A permit?
If you operate a mining operation and stormwater runoff from your operation enters intowetlands, streams, creeks, rivers, or any other "waters of the state" (including road side ditchesthat connect to waters of the state), then you need a
NPDES 1200-A permit administered byDOGAMI. Applicants should consult with DOGAMI prior to submitting an application to ensurethat it is complete..
Who do I contact to report turbid (muddy) storm water runoff or other water quality concerns?
Contact lisa.reinhart at oregon.gov in our office. You may want to document your water quality concerns bytaking pictures of the discharge and the receiving water body or roadside ditch with time,location, and date information. Do not put yourself in danger or trespass onto private propertywhen documenting your concerns.
Does the DEQ NPDES 1200-A General Permit allow turbid water to bedischarged?
Yes, the permit allows turbid discharge as long as it is no more turbid than the receiving waterbody.
I had no stormwater discharge this year; do I still need to submit monitoring reports?
Yes, you must submit a Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) every year regardless of whetheryou had a discharge or were active during the monitoring period. Document on the report the dayyou conducted your monitoring and that there was no discharge to sample. Include a Monitoring Variance Request with documentation supporting why there was no discharge.
Who and where do I pay my permit renewal fee to?
Annual renewal fees are paid to
DEQ ? only initial application fees are submitted DOGAMI.DEQ will send you an invoice for your annual fee.
WPCF 1000 Permits
When do I need a WPCF 1000 Permit?
If you use water for processing and/or washing rock; that water is disposed of on site through seepage and/or evaporation; and you do not have stormwater* discharge; then you need a WPCF 1000 permit administered by DOGAMI.
To process placer gravels for gold using water, you need a WPCF 600 permit administered by DEQ.
*Note this permit is not applicable to sites discharging stormwater that are required to have coverage under the DEQ NPDES 1200-A General Permit, which also covers the on-site disposal of process water by seepage and/or evaporation.
Do I need to conduct water quality monitoring under the WPCF 1000 permit?
Yes. Please review the WPCF 1000 permit for monitoring requirements. All monitoring logs must be kept up to date, on site, and available to DOGAMI upon request.
I can?t find the answers to my questions on your site.
Please email lisa.reinhart at oregon.gov or call us at 541-967-2051. Our goal is to make this site as helpful as possible. Your feedback is important and appreciated.