Oregon DEQ: Historical Timeline

This timeline highlights key environmental milestones for Oregon beginning in 1889 and chronicles DEQ's history of environmental challenges and successes since its formation in 1969. See our series of success stories too.

Timeline index by decade:

	1889-1969 1970-79 1980-89 1990-99 2000-present

2000		Heating Oil Tank Program Begins DEQ launches its Heating Oil Tank program, which handles issues related to the cleanup of leaking heating oil tanks and the voluntary decommissioning of these tanks. The program allows third-party certification of cleanups and removal of heating oil tanks by DEQ-licensed service providers.
2001		Leading the Nation in Vehicle Inspection DEQ leads the nation in vehicle inspection technology by introducing on-board diagnostics, an automated system that queries the vehicle computer to determine if emission control devices are working properly. On-board diagnostics help Oregon’s program become one of the most efficient and cost-effective in the nation.
2003		Reducing Air Toxics DEQ and the Air Toxics Advisory Committee create health benchmarks and a comprehensive approach to reduce toxic air emissions in Oregon. (Learn more about DEQ's Air Toxics program.)
2004		Partnering to Protect Groundwater DEQ establishes the Southern Willamette Valley Groundwater Management Area to coordinate several agencies’ efforts to preserve and improve the quality of groundwater in the region. This is one of several groundwater management area partnerships of state and local governments, local business and farmers that work together to improve water quality in parts of the state. (Learn more about DEQ's Groundwater Protection program.)
2004		Oregon Addresses Global Warming Gov. Ted Kulongoski establishes the Global Warming Advisory Group to develop greenhouse gas-reducing strategies for Oregon. The Advisory Group comprises a cross-section of business and agency leaders in Oregon, including then DEQ Director Stephanie Hallock. (Learn more about DEQ programs addressing climate change.)
2004		Incineration of Chemical Weapons Begins at Umatilla The Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility in eastern Oregon begins incineration of chemical weapons with DEQ overseeing the process to ensure adherence to environmental permit requirements.
2005		Underground Tank Regulations Expanded The federal Energy Policy Act, signed by President Bush, expands regulations around underground storage tanks (most often associated with gas stations), leading to greater protection of groundwater. DEQ increases tank inspections and expands its tank operator training program. (Check out the fact sheet for the Underground Storage Tank Program Update.)
2006		Benzene Reduced in Oregon After encouragement from DEQ air quality officials and U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, EPA requires Northwest refineries to extract benzene from gasoline during processing. (Check out the fact sheet on Benzene in Oregon's Air.)
2006		Protecting the Willamette River The Willamette Basin Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Order is signed, providing a long-range, detailed plan that explains what forms of pollution will be dealt with and how these pollutants will be reduced to improve the river’s water quality. (Find out more about the Willamette Basin TMDL plan.) View "A River Restored" video
2007		Oregon Global Warming Commission Forms The Oregon Global Warming Commission is established, setting state benchmarks for renewable energy production and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Serving on the commission is DEQ Director Dick Pedersen. (Learn more about how DEQ is addressing climate change.)
2007		DEQ Lab Moves into New Facility in Hillsboro In December, DEQ’s Laboratory moves into a new 86,000-square-foot facility it shares with the Department of Human Service’s Public Health Division. The facility includes an “All Hazards” lab used to process potentially lethal chemicals such as those used in terrorist attacks. (Find out what DEQ's Lab is up to.)
2007		Oregon’s Bottle Bill Expands The Oregon Legislature expands the Bottle Bill to include rebates for drinking water containers beginning Jan. 1, 2009, and establishes a task force to consider further expansion of the Bottle Bill. (Learn more about the Bottle Bill.)
2008		Chemical Agent Disposal Milestone Reached The Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility destroys the last munition containing nerve gas from the Umatilla Army Depot’s stockpile of chemical weapons. The facility begins its transition to focus on destroying mustard blister agent. It expects to complete disposal of these weapons by 2011.
2009		Free Electronics Recycling Begins A statewide electronics recycling program, Oregon E-Cycles, officially begins, providing Oregonians with free statewide recycling of televisions, computers and computer monitors.

	1889-1969 1970-79 1980-89 1990-99 2000-present