OAR 340-071-0420: Hardship Variances

(1) In cases of extreme and unusual hardship, the commission may, after a public hearing, grant hardship variances from rules or standards in this division to applicants for onsite permits. (2) Applications. (a) Applicants must submit applications for hardship variances to DEQ. (b) The application must document that: (A) A for cause variance under 340-071-0415 has been denied; and (B) An extreme or unusual hardship exists. (3) The commission may consider the following factors in reviewing an application for a variance based on hardship: (a) Applicant's advanced age or poor health; (b) Applicant's need to care for aged, incapacitated, or disabled relatives; and (c) Environmental impacts from the variance. (4) Hardship variances the commission grants include conditions such as: (a) Limiting permits to the life of the applicant; (b) Limiting the number of permanent residents using the system; and (c) Using experimental systems for specified periods of time. (5) DEQ will strive to aid and accommodate the needs of applicants for hardship variances.