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The public comment period for the Draft Assessment Methodology for Oregon’s 2024 Integrated Report will close Feb. 21, 2023.

Inland and estuary waters

The public comment period for the Draft Assessment Methodology for Oregon’s 2024 Integrated Report (for inland and estuary waters) is open from Jan. 5, 2023, through Feb. 21, 2023, for a total of 47 days. DEQ does not expect to extend the comment deadline in order to meet federal reporting schedule. 

The draft assessment methodology is posted online here. Comments can be emailed to IntegratedReport@deq.oregon.gov. Following the comment period, DEQ will review the comments provided, incorporate any necessary changes to the methodology document, and provide a summary of the comments received and responses to comments on the project webpage.

Assessment methodology webinar: DEQ will provide an informational webinar on Jan. 12, 2023, from 2 to 4 p.m. for the use of the 2022 Integrated Report tools, 2024 methodology updates and Call for Data information. Follow this link to register for the webinar.

Marine Waters

DEQ plans to hold a separate public process for marine waters in the spring or summer 2023, including a separate methodology comment period, webinar and Call for Data.  Email updates will be given through Water Quality Assessments and Reporting GovDelivery notifications.  Supporting information can be found here.

About the Integrated Report

Oregon statute requires that DEQ publish the Integrated Report Assessment Methodology prior to the start of drafting the Integrated Report to the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. The Draft Assessment Methodology for Oregon’s 2024 Water Quality Report and List of Water Quality Limited Waters describes how data will be evaluated at the assessment unit level and how DEQ will develop Oregon’s 2024 Integrated Report for Section 305(b) and 303(d) of the Clean Water Act. The draft methodology is consistent with the key elements of Oregon’s water quality standards and is the framework DEQ uses to assess water quality conditions. The methodology builds on DEQ’s protocols from previous 305(b) and 303(d) assessments.

More information on the Water Quality Assessment Program is available here.