Petition to Amend the Three Basin Rule
Petition contact: Aron Borok, 503-229-5050
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality received a petition and supporting information from Marion County to amend the Three Basin Rule on Aug. 30, 2024.
The proposed rule would allow a new publicly owned treatment plant discharging to groundwater as long as the discharge meets certain requirements.
The Three Basin Rule provides additional protections beyond those usually provided by water quality standards in three watersheds that are major drinking water sources – the Clackamas, the North Santiam and the McKenzie. The Three Basin Rule prohibits new or expanded discharges to these three basins except subsurface discharges with no subsurface connection to surface waters. For more information, read the fact sheet on this petition.
Public involvement
The public comment period is open until Oct. 6, 2024 at 5 p.m. DEQ is requesting comments on whether options exist for achieving the rule's substantive goals in a way that reduces the negative economic impact on businesses. Submit comments by email at ThreeBasin.Petition2024@deq.oregon.gov or by mail to:
Aron Borok
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
700 NE Multnomah St., Suite 600
Portland, OR 97232
Comments received during the public comment period will be considered in DEQ's recommendation to the Environmental Quality Commission and compiled into the staff report.
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