Salem--The Oregon House of Representatives voted in favor of a bill to reduce toxic pollution going into rivers statewide. The bill is a major step forward for efforts to clean up the Willamette, the Columbia, and other waterways in Oregon.
"This is major step toward cleaner rivers in Oregon," said Jeremiah Baumann of Environment Oregon.
Senate Bill 737, sponsored by Senators Vicki Walker (D-Eugene) and Gary George (R-Newberg), is a clean water plan with two significant components. The first component is a statewide survey of toxic pollution in Oregon waterways, to be conducted by the Department of Environmental Quality. The study will prioritize persistent pollutants that accumulate in people's bodies and the environment, and assess available strategies for reducing the pollution.
The second component is a requirement that municipal sewage systems assess their own toxic pollution, including pollution from industrial facilities that discharge via municipal systems, set goals for reducing pollution, and develop plans to meet their goals.
"The bill is a simple and practical plan for preventing pollution at its source and keeping our rivers clean," said Baumann.
