From: Susan Hansen

Sent: Tue Oct 13 13:46:58 2015

To: HAMMOND Joni

Cc: DECONCINI Nina

Subject: RE: Public transparency

Importance: Normal

I am looking forward to the results of my PIR about the recent behind closed doors meeting with Molalla. I can't support your policy - there could easily be a provision for the public to monitor the work of DEQ, it certainly would make us all trust the processes more, especially given what we go through here. Susan

-----Original Message-----

From: hammond.joni@deq.state.or.us

Sent: Tue, 13 Oct 2015 20:34:35 +0000

To: foxglovefarm@inbox.com

Subject: RE: Public transparency

Susan:

There are times when we engage with regulated parties that are in public venues, as was the case when DEQ was asked to present on the agenda for a recent Molalla City Council meeting. There are also times when we meet with those we regulate in private or at an inspection. Not all instances are appropriate for public participation. There may be safety issues or other considerations for the source who may not be able to accommodate large numbers of people at a site.

We will evaluate whether there are additional opportunities for members of the public to be part of conversations with the city and will notify you if we determine what those opportunities are. We also share your commitment to transparency and building public trust.

Joni

From: Susan Hansen [mailto:foxglovefarm@inbox.com]

Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2015 10:49 AM

To: DECONCINI Nina; HAMMOND Joni

Subject: Public transparency

Dear Nina and Joni,

A member of Bear Creek Recovery has raised the issue, as I already have with Joni, of why the public should not be able to observe the meetings and inspections conducted by DEQ.

For instance, tomorrow DEQ will tour the lagoons in Molalla and try to get questions about the validity of the lagoon leak test answered. Since the public pays for the work of DEQ and since we clearly have ongoing questions about whether or not the Clean Water Act is enforced in full, please start to consider reform at DEQ that would allow citizen observers at such inspections and meetings. Silent citizen observers would be beneficial for more in depth understanding about DEQ's work to protect our environment.

I already expressed that the recent meeting with Molalla and DEQ should have been done in public. We need transparency if we are to trust the work of the agencies we fund and for citizens to understand the issues facing their communities.

Sincerely,

Susan Hansen

Bear Creek Recovery