DEQ clearly needs adequate resources to ensure that pollution permits are renewed in a timely manner and that there are adequate resources to inspect and monitor the permits once they are issued. Otherwise, we re simply making a mockery of the Clean Water Act, said Doll. For example, fully funding the water pollution permit program through permit fees would relieve the backlog of permits and improve inspections and enforcement in the water pollution permit program. General fund dollars could then be available to fund laboratory support for a mobile air toxics monitor, to fully implement groundwater protection efforts that now lack funding or to identify, track and eliminate release of persistent poisons like mercury into the environment. OEC has worked with 12 other conservation groups to develop a Conservation Budget that details many of the key funding issues facing the Legislature on natural resource and environmental problems.
Copies are available to the media on request.