Northwest Environmental Defense Center v. Environmental Quality Commission

This case involves dueling challenges under ORS 183.400 to a rule adopted by the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) relating to small suction dredge mining operations. The rule at issue is actually a general discharge permit, known as the “700-PM permit,” which places certain conditions on the operation of small suction dredges in the waters of the state; miners can then seek authorization under the 700-PM permit to operate their suction dredges in accordance with the permit conditions. OAR 340-045-0033(1l)(d). On one side of the debate, an environmental interest group, Northwest…