The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is seeking approval from the Environmental Quality Commission to increase water quality permit fees by 3 percent to address program cost increases.

These fee increases will be effective July 1 and will apply to all wastewater and WPCF-onsite permit holders except suction dredgers covered by the General 700PM permit.

Depending upon the permit, application fee increases will range from $6 to $1,408, and annual fee increases will range from $8 to $1,944.

Keeping staffing levels constant, DEQ anticipates a 3.62 percent increase in program costs from 2008-09 to 2009-10. Under state law, DEQ is allowed to request up to a 3 percent fee increase each year.

DEQ will be taking public comments on this proposal through 5 p.m. Monday, March 2.

The proposal is available for public review on DEQ’s Web site at: (http://www.deq.state.or.us/wq/wqpermit/permits.htm).

Written comments may be mailed to Chris Clipper, Oregon DEQ, Water Quality Division, 811 S.W. Sixth Ave., Portland, OR 97204.

Comments may also be faxed to Clipper at (503) 229-6037 or e-mailed to wqfeerule@deq.state. or.us.

DEQ will hold three public hearings on the proposed fee increases:

? Bend: Wednesday, Feb. 18, 6 p.m., DEQ Bend office, 475 NE Bellevue, Suite 110.

? Medford: Tuesday, Feb. 24, 6 p.m., DEQ Medford office, 221 Stewart Ave., Suite 201

? Portland: Wednesday, Feb. 25, 6 p.m., DEQ Headquarters, 811 S.W. Sixth St., Room EQC-A (10th floor).

DEQ will review and respond to all comments received during the public comment period and has the opportunity to modify its proposed rules. DEQ will recommend that the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission approve the fee increases at the commission’s April 23-24 meeting in Portland.