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

1990		Oregon Air Permitting Standards Become National Standard Federal Clean Air Act amendments are passed, including more stringent permitting of large pollution sources under Title V of the Act. With Oregon leading the nation in industrial air permitting, the criteria Oregon DEQ establishes become the national standard. (Learn more about DEQ's Air Quality programs.)
1990		Air Toxics Identified as Risks to Communities Industrial air polluters are not the only ones to blame for poor air quality. DEQ begins educating the public about air toxics in their communities after 188 chemicals are identified as hazardous air pollutants as part of the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants Programs. New data reveals sources of pollution to include cars, diesel trucks, woodstoves, dry cleaners, and auto body shops.
1990-1995		Studying the Willamette River The Oregon Legislature provides DEQ with resources to study the health of the Willamette River. The studies find that the majority of the river’s water pollution comes from urban and rural runoff. (Learn more about efforts to clean up the Willamette River.) View "A River Restored" video
1991		Recycling Laws Expanded The Oregon Recycling Act is approved, strengthening and broadening recycling requirements and adding activities to develop markets for recycled materials. This 1991 act establishes a household hazardous waste program, funds grants to help Oregon communities set up recycling programs, and requires DEQ to develop a solid waste management plan. (Check out the fact sheet on Oregon Recycling Laws.)
1993		Environmental Crimes Act Passed The Environmental Crimes Act is passed, requiring government officials in Oregon to develop standards and guidelines for prosecution, establishing the criteria for felony-level offenses. (Learn more about DEQ's Compliance and Enforcement program.)
1994		Cleaning Up Sites for Redevelopment DEQ’s Environmental Cleanup program begins issuing designations when a contaminated commercial industrial site has been successfully cleaned and is ready for redevelopment. These are known as brownfield sites. (Find out more about DEQ's brownfields program.)
1995		Stormwater Permits Control River Pollution DEQ begins issuing permits requiring cities, counties and sewerage agencies to comply with best management practices to control pollutants in stormwater runoff that ends up in rivers and streams. (Check out the fact sheet on Oregon's Phase II Muncipal Stormwater Program.)
1995		Dry Cleaner Cleanup Fund Established The Oregon Legislature establishes a program requiring dry cleaners to pay fees that go into a fund used to clean up solvent contamination at dry cleaner sites. The law protects dry cleaners from having to individually pay for cleanup of solvent contamination. (Find out more about DEQ's dry cleaner program.)
1996		Protecting Drinking Water Amendments are made to the federal Safe Drinking Water Act giving new resources to DEQ and the Oregon Health Division to provide drinking water protection assistance to public water systems and communities. DEQ’s Drinking Water program begins.
1996		Reducing Air Toxics Oregon gains its first picture of air toxicity in Oregon, thanks to EPA’s National Air Toxics Assessment (NATA).The study looked at 33 air pollutants plus diesel particulate matter, estimating population exposures and public health risks. DEQ uses the NATA assessment and 1999 follow-up data to prioritize and address air toxics in Oregon. For more information visit DEQ’s Air Toxics page.
1997		Ensuring Safe Disposal of Chemical Weapons The Environmental Quality Commission issues permits to the U.S. Army to construct the Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility to destroy chemical weapons stored near Hermiston. DEQ establishes an office in Hermiston to oversee the Army and its contractor’s compliance with the facility’s hazardous waste and air permit requirements. (Check out the fact sheet on the Umatilla Demilitarization Program.)
1998		Protecting Drinking Water DEQ, the Oregon Health Division and a citizen’s advisory committee develop the Source Water Assessment Plan to determine sources of groundwater and surface water contamination as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act amendments of 1996. EPA approved the plan in 1999. (Learn more about the Oregon Drinking Water Protection program.)

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