(1) An alternative plan proposed pursuant to ORS § 222.885 shall be reviewed by the Oregon Health Authority in cases where danger to public health is caused by impure or inadequate domestic water and in all other cases by the Environmental Quality Commission. The plan shall be approved or rejected by the authority or commission. In reviewing the alternative plan contained in the petition, the authority or commission shall consider whether, in its judgment, the plan contains a preferable alternative for the alleviation or removal of the conditions dangerous to public health.

(2)(a) With respect to an alternative plan proposed in a petition filed under ORS § 222.885 (1), if the authority or commission determines that annexation to the city provides the best and most expeditious method of removing or alleviating the dangerous conditions, the alternative plan shall be rejected and further proceedings on the finding filed under ORS § 222.880 shall resume.

(b) With respect to an alternative plan proposed in a resolution filed under ORS § 222.885 (2), if the authority or commission determines that annexation to the city provides the best, most expeditious and most cost-effective method of removing or alleviating the dangerous conditions, the alternative plan shall be rejected and further proceedings on the finding filed under ORS § 222.880 shall resume.

(3) If the authority or commission finds that the alternative plan provides a preferable method of alleviating or removing the dangerous conditions, the petitioners or appropriate governing body shall have six months within which to present to the authority or commission information showing:

(a) That the territory in which the conditions dangerous to public health exist:

(A) Has received approval for the extension of a city’s or district’s sewer or water lines within the territory or has annexed to a district authorized by law to provide facilities necessary to remove or alleviate the dangerous conditions, and that financing of the facilities for extension of such facilities to the territory has been assured; or

(B) Has taken substantial steps to implement the alternative plan.

(b) Detailed plans and specifications for the construction of any proposed facilities.

(c) A time schedule for the construction of any proposed facilities.

(d) That proposed facilities, if constructed, will remove or alleviate the conditions dangerous to public health in a manner as satisfactory and expeditious as would be accomplished by the proposed annexation to the city.

(4)(a) The authority or commission shall review the final plan proposed by the petitioners, city or district and shall promptly certify whether the requirements of subsection (3) of this section have been met.

(b) If the requirements have been met, the authority shall certify the alternative plan. Further annexation proceedings on the findings filed under ORS § 222.880 shall be suspended and the city shall be so notified.

(c) If the requirements of subsection (3) of this section have not been met or whenever the authority or commission determines that the requirements of the certified plan are not being satisfied, further proceedings on the findings filed under ORS § 222.880 shall resume. [1967 c.624 § 8a (3), (4), (5); 1973 c.637 § 9; 1975 c.639 § 8; 1983 c.407 § 10; 2009 c.595 § 188; 2015 c.281 § 2]

[1967 c.624 § 9; 1973 c.637 § 10; repealed by 1975 c.639 § 9 (222.896 enacted in lieu of 222.895)]