419th regular meeting of the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission
April 6-7, 2022: Online/teleconference
The Oregon Environmental Quality Commission met on April 6 and 7 for a regular meeting. The commission meeting was held on Zoom, an online video conferencing platform, with toll-free telephone access for audio-only connections.
April 6, 2022: Noon to 4:30 p.m.
All times are approximate and subject to change
Noon
Welcome and meeting open
The commission will convene the public meeting and review the day's agenda.
12:05 p.m.
The commissioners will review and take action on the draft minutes from the Feb. 3-4, 2022, regular EQC meeting.
12:10 p.m.
Commissioners will provide verbal updates on their activities and work of interest to the commission and DEQ. DEQ and the commissioners will also discuss, and may assign, the EQC liaison roles for the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (voting member).
12:25 p.m.
DEQ will provide follow-up information about the process for proposing TMDLs by rule and information to be provided for commission action, starting in 2022.
1:05 p.m.
DEQ will propose delegation to Director Whitman for a fee rulemaking, planned for 2022, that allows an up-to-three percent increase on most water quality permits, per state statute.
1:15 p.m.
DEQ will propose updates to align definitions for Divisions 238 and 244 of Chapter 340 of the Oregon Administrative Rules with federal definitions. These definitional alignments pertain to Oregon's air quality permitting programs, including the New Source Performance Standards and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants.
1:40 p.m.
Break: The commission will recess for a short break
1:55 p.m.
DEQ will co-present a panel discussion with Tribal, federal and state government representatives, project partners and others working in the Deschutes Basin for water quality and fisheries management.
3:40 p.m.
The commission will open an opportunity for general public comment on environmental and public health issues of interest to EQC and DEQ.
- Sign-ups to present comment will occur at the start of this item
- People are asked to limit all comment to three minutes or less
- This time limit may be reduced if the number of people requesting to present comment would exceed the allotted item time
- The commission will affirm commenters' time once sign-ups have occurred at the meeting
- The commission cannot accept comment on future proposed rulemakings for which DEQ has held, and closed, a public comment period. For this meeting, that includes:
4:30 p.m.
Recess: The commission will recess at approximately 4:30 p.m., and is scheduled to reconvene for an executive session at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 7. The regular meeting will reconvene at 9:15 a.m. on Thursday, April 7.
April 7, 2022: Executive session 8:30 to 9:15 a.m., regular meeting 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
All times are approximate and subject to change
8:30 a.m.
Executive session (Closed meeting)
The commission will have an executive session, 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.
- Members of the media may email Stephanie Caldera, by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5, to request access to this executive session.
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9:15 a.m.
Reconvene
The commissioners will reconvene and review the day's agenda.
9:20 a.m.
DEQ will present on recent federal actions and funding commitments for revitalized and greener water infrastructure in Oregon.
10:20 a.m.
Break: The commission will recess for a short break
10:30 a.m.
DEQ will provide a summary of the relevant legislation passed in the 2022 Oregon Legislative Session, including any next steps for the commission or agency.
11:25 a.m.
Director Whitman will present verbal and written updates on agency activities and other issues of interest to the commission.
12:30 p.m.
Adjourn: The commission is scheduled to adjourn its meeting at 12:30 p.m.