DEQ Cleanup Program Protects People and the Environment from Harmful Chemicals

Environmental Challenge

In the early days of Oregon's industrial growth, there were no environmental rules about how to handle and dispose of hazardous chemicals. This has left a legacy of contamination at sites around Oregon. Contemporary spills and leaks of chemicals further add to the problem. DEQ has identified over 4,500 potentially contaminated sites in Oregon since 1988 and has found contamination at nearly 800 of these sites.

Success Story

DEQ's cleanup programs protect human health and the environment by identifying, investigating and cleaning up sites contaminated with hazardous substances. DEQ has helped clean up over 1,400 contaminated sites throughout Oregon, many of which are now in productive reuse or are suitable for redevelopment.

DEQ has been involved in the cleanup of contamination from a number of mines in Oregon, including the now inactive Opalite Mine in Malheur County, southeastern Oregon.

DEQ created its Voluntary Cleanup Program to provide oversight to property owners and others wishing to investigate and clean up hazardous substance sites in a voluntary, cooperative manner. Projects range from simple sites with a limited amount of contaminated soil to complex sites with multiple contaminants in soil, groundwater, surface water, sediment and air. DEQ staff may work in the field or review the work of environmental consultants hired by the property owners. When necessary, DEQ also uses its enforcement authority to require cleanups.

However, sometimes DEQ must initiate a cleanup without voluntary action by the property owner. "Orphan" sites are those contaminated by a release of hazardous substances that pose serious threats to human health or the environment, where the parties responsible for the contamination are either unknown, unable or unwilling to pay for needed cleanup. Abandoned mines have become a significant issue, and are usually part of DEQ’s Orphan Site Program.

DEQ currently oversees the cleanup of more than 470 contaminated sites throughout Oregon.