How can community engage with the Seismic Stability program?
The purpose of the Fuel Tank Seismic Stability program is to protect public health, life safety and environmental safety against fires and release of fuel products due to an earthquake. DEQ grounded the rulemaking work in equity and environmental justice along with engineering considerations and has contracted with Portland State University's Institute for Sustainable Solutions to conduct local environmental justice review. The key findings and recommendations for improving safety of the communities are described in PSU's report.
Community engagement is paramount to the success of the program. DEQ will conduct public comment periods before approving a Risk Minimization Implementation Plan submitted by a facility. The OAR 340-300-0007 describes the DEQ review and approval provisions:
(4) Before approving a Risk Mitigation Implementation Plan, DEQ will provide a public notice and initiate a public comment period as follows:
(a) DEQ will announce the public notice through the Fuel Tank Seismic Stability GovDelivery mailing system.
(b) DEQ will hold a public comment period open for 30 calendar days. This period may be extended at DEQ's discretion. DEQ will review public comments and may request changes to the Risk Mitigation Implementation Plans prior to approval as determined appropriate by DEQ.
(c) DEQ will post all Risk Mitigation Implementation Plans barring any confidential business information on DEQ's website by the time of public notice.
(5) Public hearing
(a) If requested by 10 entities or a group representing 10 entities within the first 20 calendar days of the public comment period, a public hearing will be held. DEQ will extend the public comment period and hold a hearing at least 14 calendar days before the close of the public comment period.
(b) A notice of 30 calendar days will be provided ahead of a public hearing.