Proposed rule
Rulemaking contact: Jason Simpson, 503-995-4054
The Water Quality program needs to increase fees by 3% in 2025 for fiscal year 2026, as provided in ORS 468B.051. Per statute, the amount of the increase may not exceed the anticipated increase in the cost of administering the program or 3%, whichever is lower. The proposed fees will cover costs associated with sustaining current service levels for water quality programs. Without this increase, DEQ may need to reduce staff. In 2015, the Oregon Legislature commissioned an independent third-party consultant to evaluate the permitting program's backlog of permits (19% of permits were current in 2018). Since the incorporation of the recommendations, the backlog of permits has decreased significantly with 50% being current. A reduction of staff will hinder additional progress and could cause the backlog to grow again. Therefore, DEQ proposes amending rules to increase water quality fees by 3% above 2025 fees.
DEQ convened an advisory committee to review the fiscal impacts related to the proposed rules. In convening this committee, DEQ appointed members that reflect the range of entities that are both directly and indirectly affected by proposed changes to the rules.