Oregon Cities Sue Over Stormwater Rules

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Six Oregon cities are suing the state Department of Environmental Quality over new stormwater discharge requirements they say will be too expensive for ratepayers and will drive up home prices.

The Statesman Journal reports Friday the cities say the new stormwater permit, for small municipalities, goes beyond what is required by the federal government. Turner, Albany, Millersburg, Corvallis, Bend and Springfield filed separate lawsuits last week.

Corvallis City Manager Mark Sherpard says, for example, the new requirements would raise stormwater management costs — which are currently $1.9 million per year — by about 40 percent.