This text of Oregon § 468B.653 (Interagency water reuse team; duties of Department of Environmental Quality) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Oregon primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.
(1)The Department of Environmental Quality shall establish and lead an interagency water reuse team. The Water Resources Department, the Oregon Health Authority, the State Department of Agriculture and the State Department of Fish and Wildlife shall participate in the water reuse team. Other agencies of state government, as defined in ORS 174.111, shall participate in the water reuse team as requested by the Department of Environmental Quality. The Department of Environmental Quality may enter into interagency agreements to support the participation of other agencies of state government in the water reuse team. (2)The Department of Environmental Quality, with support from the water reuse team where appropriate, and in consultation with municipal wastewater utilities, industry stakeholder
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(1) The Department of Environmental Quality shall establish and lead an interagency water reuse team. The Water Resources Department, the Oregon Health Authority, the State Department of Agriculture and the State Department of Fish and Wildlife shall participate in the water reuse team. Other agencies of state government, as defined in ORS 174.111, shall participate in the water reuse team as requested by the Department of Environmental Quality. The Department of Environmental Quality may enter into interagency agreements to support the participation of other agencies of state government in the water reuse team.
(2) The Department of Environmental Quality, with support from the water reuse team where appropriate, and in consultation with municipal wastewater utilities, industry stakeholders and other interested parties, shall:
(a) Provide training and education to state agency staff, potential reuse project applicants and the public on the benefits and drivers of water reuse projects and the state policy to encourage and expand opportunities for water reuse in a manner that protects public health and the environment;
(b) Identify and work toward resolution of, with respect to the development of water reuse projects, internal barriers within agencies, information needs within agencies and conflicts between agencies, to better enable state agencies to encourage and support expanded water reuse in this state;
(c) Evaluate environmentally protective approaches that have been successfully employed by other state water reuse programs and that may be appropriate for water reuse in this state;
(d) Identify and propose regulatory changes needed to overcome barriers to water reuse in a manner that protects public health and the environment, including, but not limited to, changes to state agency policies and internal guidance, administrative rules and state statutes;
(e) Work to improve interagency collaboration and resolve conflicts, consistent with each agency’s designated role and responsibilities, to encourage water reuse projects in a manner that protects public health and the environment;
(f) Ensure that information and agency contacts regarding water reuse are current and accessible to the public;
(g) Promote consistent and timely responsiveness to requests for information from the public or other government agencies regarding water reuse;
(h) Develop technical assistance guidance, or other resources, for local governments, industries and nongovernmental organizations seeking permitting and the development of water reuse programs; and
(i) Establish goals and performance metrics on water reuse development in this state.