Environmental Cleanup Work Group

In January 2006 DEQ convened the Environmental Cleanup Work Group to request advice on the following issues:

1. Oregon's environmental cleanup program is 18 years old. It has been nine years since comprehensive revisions were adopted in the state's environmental cleanup rules and six years since an external advisory group evaluated the overall effectiveness of Oregon's cleanup program. How well is the program operating, are there issues requiring attention, and are there improvements to be made?
2. Is the state emphasizing the right cleanup program activities and priorities given anticipated reductions in cleanup program staffing?
3. Significant changes in environmental cleanup law have been made or considered at the federal and state levels. These include the “bona-fide prospective purchaser” provisions in the 2002 federal cleanup law and EPA’s 2005 adoption of “all appropriate inquiry” rules. Should the Department consider any of these or other issues and, if so, what process should be used?

Final Report: 2006 Environmental Cleanup Work Group Report PDF
Environmental Cleanup and Emergency Response Program Update - July 2007 PDF

Other Background Information:

• List of Work Group Members
• Meeting Agenda, Handouts, and Notes
• Cleanup News: DEQ, Work Group Take New Look At Environmental Cleanup Program PDF
  The linked article ran in the February 15, 2006 edition of the Oregon Insider.

Although no additional meetings of the Environmental Cleanup Work Group are scheduled for this time, please check back periodically for updates.

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