Presiding Officer Text for Conducting a Public Hearing

PROPOSED RULEMAKING: 2013 Water Quality Permit Fees

HEARING STATEMENTS

Those wishing to provide comments should fill out the witness registration form. If you are not planning to comment but would like to receive a copy of the final staff report, including the presiding officer's report, you should indicate that interest by printing your name and address on the sign-in sheet. Persons providing comments will automatically receive copies of the final staff report.

(TURN ON RECORDER)

At this time I would like to begin the hearing. No smoking is allowed. The hearing will be recorded to maintain a permanent record. Today is Aug. 20, 2013, the time is [time] p.m., and we are at the DEQ office in Portland. My name is Chris Clipper, and I’m with DEQ’s water quality program. I am the presiding officer for this hearing and as such I am taking comments on behalf of the Environmental Quality Commission, which is a five member citizens’ board, appointed by the Governor. The Commission sets environmental rules and policy for DEQ and the Department is staff for the Commission.

Those wishing to provide comments should fill out the witness registration form. Persons not interested in commenting can still receive a copy of the final staff report by putting their name on the sign-in sheet.

The purpose of this meeting is to take public comments on the proposed rules for the 2013 Water Quality Permit Fees rule adoption. The job of presiding officer is to hear and acknowledge comments and not to defend the proposed rules. Following the completion of the public hearings, a written presiding officer’s report summarizing both written and verbal comments will be prepared. The deadline date for receipt of written comments on the proposed rules is Friday, Aug. 23, 2013, 5 p.m.

After reviewing the comments, the Department may consider revisions to the proposed rules. The Department's final recommendation for rule adoption will be made at the EQC meeting scheduled for Oct. 16-17, 2013. The Commission will use its own discretion in deciding whether to adopt all, part or none of the proposed rules, postpone adoption, or hold additional public hearings.

(IF APPROPRIATE) - I would like to begin taking comments. If anyone has prepared a written statement or other documents, it would help to summarize them orally and then introduce written material into the record. Written comments are given the same weight as oral comments.

(IF APPROPRIATE) - At this point, no witnesses have signed up to comment. If anyone arrives to comment within the next half hour, we will turn the recorder on. Otherwise the hearing will be adjourned.

(IF APPROPRIATE) - It is now [state time]. No one attended the hearing and no one provided comments. This hearing is adjourned.

(AT THE END)

Thank you for coming and providing us with your comments. The hearing is adjourned.