Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 340 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Oregon Administrative Rules – Chapter 340: DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (DEQ)
Chapter 340 of the Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) governs the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the state agency responsible for protecting Oregon’s air, water, and land from pollution. This chapter contains detailed environmental regulations and standards the DEQ enforces under state and federal environmental laws.
Key Functions of the DEQ (Chapter 340)
The DEQ implements rules related to environmental protection, public health, and ecological sustainability. These include:
Air Quality Management
Water Quality and Pollution Control
Waste Management
Hazardous Materials
Environmental Permitting and Compliance
Enforcement of Environmental Laws
Emergency Response and Remediation
Major Areas Covered Under Chapter 340
Here are some of the major divisions or rule categories under this chapter:
1. Air Quality Regulations
Air pollutant emissions limits and standards.
Permitting for industrial and commercial facilities.
Air toxics control and monitoring.
Vehicle inspection and maintenance (emissions testing).
2. Water Quality Standards
Rules for discharges into surface and groundwater.
Wastewater treatment facility permits (NPDES).
Stormwater management regulations.
Standards for Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) in impaired water bodies.
3. Waste Management
Solid waste and recycling regulations.
Landfill and composting site standards.
Rules on hazardous and medical waste handling.
Product stewardship programs (e.g., electronics recycling, paint take-back).
4. Cleanup and Remediation
Environmental cleanup site rules.
Management of leaking underground storage tanks (LUST).
Emergency spill response regulations.
Risk-based cleanup standards for contaminated sites.
5. Hazardous Materials
Regulation of hazardous waste generators and transporters.
Facility permitting and inspection.
Used oil and universal waste rules.
6. Permitting and Fees
Environmental permits required for air, water, and waste activities.
Application processes, timelines, and public participation requirements.
Fee schedules and financial responsibility requirements.
7. Enforcement and Compliance
Investigation of environmental violations.
Administrative penalties and corrective actions.
Appeal and variance processes.
Environmental Policy Integration
Implements state laws and coordinates with federal programs such as:
Clean Air Act (CAA)
Clean Water Act (CWA)
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund)
DEQ's Broader Role
Public education and outreach on environmental issues.
Grant and loan programs to support pollution control and cleanup.
Climate change planning and greenhouse gas emissions tracking.
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