PORTLAND, OR,
Jan. 6, 2011
(Press Release) -
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is proposing revisions to the state's water quality standards used to regulate levels of toxic pollutants in Oregon waterways. The revisions ensure greater health protection for Oregonians who eat fish from state waters and cleaner waterways for providing drinking water to Oregonians.
The revised rules will affect cities and facilities that discharge one or more regulated pollutants to state waters. These pollutants may include methylmercury (a byproduct from the burning of fossil fuels) and bis (2-ethylexyl) phthalate, a plasticizer. Forestry, agricultural, construction and other activities could also be affected by these rules, if they release toxic pollutants such as the pesticide compound endosulfan, PCBs and the now-banned but persistent toxic pesticides DDT and aldrin into lakes, rivers and streams.
"These proposed revisions are necessary to protect human health," said DEQ Director Dick Pedersen. "Toxic pollutants can accumulate in fish that people may eat. Some of these substances may lead to cancer, hinder human development and cause other health problems. These pollutants can also affect the quality of water that communities rely on for drinking water. Reducing the level of these toxics in our water makes for healthier, more livable communities and, as a result, a healthier economy. It is important that any water quality rules are implementable, and we believe through working with a broad group of stakeholders we have a proposed rule package that achieves that end."
Several documents about this rulemaking proposal are available for public comment and may be accessed through DEQ's website at http://www.deq.state.or.us/wq/standards/toxics.htm (scroll down to "toxics rulemaking"). The public may comment on the proposed rule changes and toxic pollutant levels, a proposed statement of need and fiscal impact, a land use evaluation statement and a document about the proposed rules' relationship to federal requirements.
All comments on the proposed rulemaking must be submitted to the agency by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18. Comments may be e-mailed, mailed or faxed to DEQ. Send e-mail comments to ToxicsRuleMaking@deq.state.or.us. Mail comments to Andrea Matzke, Oregon DEQ, Water Quality Division, 811 SW Sixth Ave., Portland, OR 97204. Fax comments to Andrea Matzke at 503-229-6037.
