SB 737 Implementation

The 2007 Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 737, which requires DEQ to consult with all interested parties by June 2009 to develop a list of priority persistent bioaccumulative toxics (“Priority Persistent Pollutant List”) that have a documented effect on human health, wildlife and aquatic life.  In order to develop the Priority Persistent Pollutant List, DEQ assembled a technical workgroup, representing expertise in various scientific sectors, to provide advice and comment.  Members of the group will serve a 10-month term (August 2008-May 2009).  The group will meet approximately every three to four weeks for about a half-day each meeting. 

By June 2010, DEQ must again report to the Legislature.  This report will include the list of priority persistent pollutants, reporting on end-of-pipe (point), nonpoint and legacy sources of priority persistent pollutants “from existing data,” and identify source reduction and control methods that can reduce discharges.  

The work to develop these two reports will begin in July 2008 and will be accomplished over two years by two new positions. These positions will be funded by a surcharge fee on the 52 largest municipal wastewater plants in Oregon.  Depending on the amount of wastewater processed, each municipality will pay a total surcharge ranging from $6,976 to $20,926 over two years.

SB 737 also requires Oregon’s 52 large municipal wastewater treatment plants to develop plans by 2011 for reducing priority persistent pollutants through pollution prevention and toxics reduction.  DEQ will request additional resources during the 2009 Legislative session to support SB 737 project work and associated Oregon Department of Justice costs for this program.