The Subsurface Injection Fluids Account is established separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the account shall be credited to the account. Moneys in the account are continuously appropriated to the Department of Environmental Quality and may be used only to pay the administrative expenses of the underground injection control program implemented under ORS § 468B.195. [2007 c.297 § 4]

Sections 22 and 23, chapter 606, Oregon Laws 2023, provide:

(1) The Department of Environmental Quality, in consultation with the Water Resources Department and other relevant state agencies and interested parties, shall address barriers to, and develop technical assistance resources to support, expanded beneficial water reuse or recycled water programs and projects within this state.

(2) In carrying out the objectives of this section, the Department of Environmental Quality shall:

(a) Characterize recycled water and beneficial land application project types that are priorities to support water quality, water supply or use and habitat or ecosystem needs in this state;

(b) Identify regulatory and other impediments to expanding water reuse;

(c) Identify environmentally protective approaches successfully employed by other states with robust water reuse programs that may be applicable to Oregon;

(d) Identify potential regulatory changes, including but not limited to changes to internal guidance, administrative rules or statutes needed to remove impediments, and propose an implementation schedule for enacting proposed changes; and

(e) Develop technical assistance guidance, or other resources, for local jurisdictions and industries to seek permitting and development of recycled water and other beneficial land application programs that achieve the objectives of this section.

(3) The department shall submit a progress report on the resources developed under this section in the manner provided by ORS § 192.245, to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to water no later than December 31, 2023.

(4) The department shall submit a final report, including completed resources developed under this section, in the manner provided by ORS § 192.245, to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to water no later than September 15, 2024. The department shall, at a minimum, identify in the report under this subsection:

(a) Changes that agencies can make or have completed to internal policies, guidance and processes;

(b) Recommended changes that require an agency to amend administrative rules or adopt new administrative rules;

(c) Recommended changes that would require the Legislative Assembly to create new law or amend existing law;

(d) Programmatic needs to remove impediments to water reuse and beneficial land application expansion and to support access to and acceleration of water reuse and beneficial land application projects; and

(e) Technical assistance resources and incentives that would support jurisdictions in evaluating and pursuing reuse and beneficial land application projects. [2023 c.606 § 22]

Section 22 of this 2023 Act is repealed on January 2, 2025. [2023 c.606 § 23]

ANIMAL WASTE CONTROL