Oregon DEQ: Fish Consumption

DEQ is responsible for establishing water quality criteria to protect human health. These criteria are established to allow Oregonians to consume fish and shellfish and to use state waters for drinking water supply without adverse health effects. DEQ’s current standards are based on EPA recommended criteria. However, we are currently in the process of revising our criteria based on the higher levels of fish consumed by many Oregonians. Please see below for additional information.

[Current Standards] [Toxics Criteria Review] [Fish Consumption Rate Project] [Links] [Contact]

Current Standards

	Toxics Standards Rule (OAR 340-041-0033)
	Table	Description
	Table 20	Currently effective Clean Water Act Criteria
	Table 33A	Criteria adopted by the EQC (2004), effective state rule
	Table 33B	Criteria adopted aby EQC, but not effective until approved by EPA
	Table 33C	Guidence values (not water quality criteria)

Former Table 20: As published prior to rule changes in 2004

Toxics Criteria Review (2008-2010)

The EQC directed DEQ to:

Revise Oregon’s toxics criteria for human health based on a fish consumption rate of 175 grams per person per day;
Propose rule language that will allow DEQ to implement the standards in National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits and other Clean Water Act programs in an environmentally meaningful and cost-effective manner;
Propose rule language or develop other implementation strategies to reduce the adverse impacts of toxic substances in Oregon’s waters that are the result of non-point source (not via a pipe) discharges or other sources not subject to section 402 of the Clean Water Act;
Develop a proposed rule and implementation methods that carefully consider the costs and benefits of the fish consumption rate and the data and scientific analysis already compiled or that is developed as part of the rulemaking proceeding.

For more information about the commission’s action, see DEQ’s news release.

Toxics Stakeholder Group

December 2008 Meeting Notes PDF
June 2009 Meeting Notes PDF

Oct. 2009: The Toxics Stakeholder Group has been updated to assist DEQ in the development of a comprehensive toxics reduction strategy. Please refer to the Toxics Stakeholder Group web page for current information.