OAR 340-130-0001: Purpose and Policies

(1) These rules implement ORS 466.360 to 466.385 (Notice of Environmental Hazards). (2) Recognizing that sites with waste or contamination exist in the state that, if altered, are potentially hazardous to the health, safety and welfare of Oregon’s citizens, the Commission declares that: (a) Locations of potentially hazardous sites should be made known to local governments, property owners and occupants, and neighbors and future purchasers of property; (b) Use restrictions implemented through city and county comprehensive plans and land use regulations may be necessary on potentially hazardous sites to protect the public health, safety and the environment; (c) Changes in uses of potentially hazardous sites should be reviewed; and (d) An environmental hazard notice is a long-term tool to ensure a potentially hazardous site is not altered without first considering the impacts of the activity on the public health, safety and the environment. (3) An environmental hazard notice is not required for every site. An environmental hazard notice shall be issued by the Commission to protect the public health, safety and the environment. The factors of OAR 340-130-0015 shall be considered by the Commission when it determines whether to issue an environmental hazard notice for a particular site.