The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality implements Oregon’s environmental laws through its rules and related programs. Throughout each year, DEQ proposes rules that define how the public and industry interact with the environment in an effort to benefit the economy, human habitation and the preservation of natural areas.
To those ends, we seek public involvement during the rule development process by conducting informational meetings, holding public hearings, establishing advisory committee meetings and inviting public comment.
The EQC is DEQ’s formal policy and rulemaking body. Proposed rules only become effective when the commission adopts them.