DEQ is proposing to revise several sections of the Motor Vehicles rules in Division 256 of Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 340.

Under ORS 468B.051, DEQ proposes rule amendments to increase water quality fees for 2019 by three percent above the 2018 fees. These fees apply to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits and Water Pollution Control Facility permits.

DEQ needs the fee increase to help account for the anticipated increase in the cost of administering the permit program and to achieve its objectives. DEQ’s objectives are for a sustainable water quality permitting program that issues timely, high quality permits, and that ensures compliance with permit conditions through inspections, enforcement, and reporting to EPA.

This rulemaking is to adopt a permanent version of a previously-adopted temporary rule. DEQ recognized an unintended consequence in the wording of its pathogen reduction rule for solid waste. As formerly worded, the rule imposed different pathogen reduction requirements for anaerobic composters located on agricultural operations than for those located elsewhere. DEQ did not intend that result and has corrected that consequence in the rule wording proposed in this rulemaking.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is proposing to align its hazardous waste fees to better support program needs.