Human Health Toxics Criteria Review: Rulemaking Workgroups

In response to direction received from the EQC meeting in October 2008, the Standards Rulemaking Workgroup (RWG) was formed to address potential NPDES implementation issues associated with implementing new toxics criteria for human health. The Non-NPDES Rulemaking Workgroup was later formed to identify non-NPDES sources contributing to water quality impacts from toxics in the environment. 

• Workgroup Member Lists PDF
• Workplan PDF
• Standards Rulemaking Workgroup Charge
• Non-NPDES Rulemaking Workgroup Charge
• Contact

Meeting Information and Resources

All meetings of the two workgroups are open to the public and, unless otherwise noted, take place at the EPA Oregon Operations Office, 5th Floor Conference Room, 805 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205.

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Standards Rulemaking Workgroup Charge

To address the Commission’s October 2008 directive, the Department established a Rulemaking Workgroup (RWG) in December 2008. The purpose of the RWG is to provide input and feedback to the Department as it develops its proposed rulemaking to revise human health criteria based on the new fish consumption rate and to address potential implementation issues associated with implementing the new criteria.

The RWG includes members representing the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, environmental groups, municipalities, industry, as well as EPA Region 10. Representatives from the Oregon Departments of Forestry and Agriculture also participate. Meetings are expected to continue through October 2010.

The charge of the RWG is to:

• Help DEQ develop innovative NPDES implementation options.
• Provide advice to DEQ about how to connect NPDES implementations options to the statewide toxics reduction strategy and SB 737.
• Provide input to DEQ on rule language development.
• Identify issues that are beyond the scope of the water quality standards rulemaking.

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Non-NPDES Rulemaking Workgroup Charge

DEQ developed an additional workgroup in November 2009 to address one of the other EQC directives: Develop rules or other implementation strategies to reduce toxic pollution from sources not regulated by permits under the federal Clean Water Act.

The Non-NPDES Workgroup includes all the members from the RWG work group, plus additional members representing agricultural and forestry interests. Meetings for both the RWG and Non-NPDES workgroups occur on the same day and are expected to continue through October 2010.

The charge of the Non-NPDES Workgroup is to:

• Assist DEQ in identifying water quality regulatory changes or actions that could be addressed in the short-term that
  1. are needed to make a significant improvement in the ability of non-NPDES sources to implement reduction measures for toxic pollutants, and
  2. that would have a positive environmental impact.

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Contact

• Please contact Andrea Matzke at Oregon DEQ, (503) 229-5384 or by e-mail for additional information.