Home
> About DEQ
About DEQ
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is a
regulatory agency whose job is to protect the quality of Oregon's
Environment. DEQ is responsible for protecting and enhancing
Oregon's water and air quality, for cleaning up spills and releases
of hazardous materials, and for managing the proper disposal of
hazardous and solid wastes.
DEQ staff use a combination of technical assistance, inspections
and permitting to help public and private facilities and citizens
understand and comply with state and federal environmental
regulations.
Responsibilities
In addition to local programs, The
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) delegates authority to DEQ
to operate federal environmental programs within the state such as
the Federal Clean Air, Clean Water, and Resource Conservation and
Recovery Acts.
Other responsibilities that directly involve individual citizens
include the residential on-site sewage program, and the
Vehicle Inspection Program, which
protects air quality in the Portland and Medford areas.
History
Oregon's history of environmental regulation dates back to 1938,
when the Oregon State Sanitary Authority was formed. As a division
within the State Board of Health, the Authority was formed in
response to outraged citizens who overwhelmingly supported an
initiative petition known as the "Water Purification and Prevention
of Pollution Bill". The bill declared a state policy to preserve
Oregon waters from pollution. In 1969, the Authority changed its
name to the Department of Environmental Quality and established
itself as an independent state agency.There have been nine directors
since DEQ was established:
Ken Spies
LB Day
Diarmuid F. O'Scannlain
Kessler Cannon
Loren "Bud" Kramer
William H. Young
Fred Hansen
Langdon Marsh
Stephanie Hallock |
1969 to
1972
1971 to 1972
1973 to 1974
1974 to 1975
1975 to 1976
1976 to 1983
1984 to 1994
1995 to 2000
2000 to present |
Mission Statement
DEQ's mission is to be a leader in restoring, maintaining and
enhancing the quality of Oregon's air, land and water.
DEQ Online
is the official Web site for the Oregon Department of Environmental
Quality.
If you have questions or comments, please
contact us.
|