Oregon DEQ is about to consider a draft for wastewater discharge from the city of St. Helens and Boise Paper.

In essence, the city wants to give up control of what Boise discharges to the wastewater plant.  The wastewater treatment plant is owned by the citizens of St. Helens but with all of the influence Boise has over the City Council in St. Helens, they have been able to railroad this through DEQ.  Boise and the city have had to hire lobbyists because the Attorney General for Oregon has already ruled this to be an illegal act.

Do you want to give up all control of the thousands of tons of chemicals Boise discharges into St. Helens publicly owned wastewater treatment plant every day?  Do you not want control of what Boise discharges a short distance up-stream from St. Helens drinking water?  Is it any wonder that the folks at city hall drink bottled water rather than ingest the water you are being charged plenty for and assume to be safe?

A copy of the proposal can be yours by calling DEQ at
Contact name Raj Kapur
(503) 229 5186 or (800) 452 4011 # 5156.
Email kapur.raj@deq.state.or.us

DEQ will review and consider all comments received.  Following review, DEQ may issue the permit as proposed, or with modifications, or deny the permit.