Environmental Law in Oregon
This page covers environmental law as it applies in Oregon — the state and federal laws that govern it, filing deadlines, where to get help, and notable in-state decisions. For what environmental protects generally, see the national overview.
Compiled from primary legal sourcesNot legal adviceHow we source this
Laws that govern environmental in Oregon
Oregon state law
- Counties and County Officers › County Land Use Planning; Resource LandsOR 215 § 215.213
Cited in 129 court decisions on this topic's terms.
- Counties and County Officers › County Land Use Planning; Resource LandsOR 215 § 215.283
Cited in 110 court decisions on this topic's terms.
- Miscellaneous Matters Related to Government and Public Affairs › Comprehensive Land Use PlanningOR 197 § 197.732
Cited in 63 court decisions on this topic's terms.
- Miscellaneous Matters Related to Government and Public Affairs › Comprehensive Land Use PlanningOR 197 § 197.040
Cited in 40 court decisions on this topic's terms.
- Housing; Lottery and Games; Environment › Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Materials IOR 465 § 465.255
Cited in 26 court decisions on this topic's terms.
- Miscellaneous Matters Related to Government and Public Affairs › Local Government Boundary Commissions; City-County ConsolidationOR 199 § 199.461
Cited in 19 court decisions on this topic's terms.
Federal law
- Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare
The U.S. Code title that houses these federal statutes.
- Title 16 — Conservation
The U.S. Code title that houses these federal statutes.
- Title 33 — Navigation and Navigable Waters
The U.S. Code title that houses these federal statutes.
- National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
Foundational federal environmental law requiring federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of their proposed actions through Environmental Impact Statements. Codified…
- Clean Air Act
Federal law to control air pollution on a national level. Codified at 42 U.S.C. §§ 7401 et seq.
- Clean Water Act (Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972)
Federal law governing water pollution. Establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants and quality standards for surface waters. Codified at 33 U.S.C. §§…
- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980
Federal law that created the Superfund program to clean up uncontrolled hazardous waste sites and imposed strict, joint-and-several liability on responsible parties. Codified at…
- Endangered Species Act of 1973
Federal law designed to protect critically imperiled species from extinction. Codified at 16 U.S.C. §§ 1531 et seq.
- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
Federal "cradle-to-grave" regulation of hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste. Codified at 42 U.S.C. ch. 82.
- Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974
Establishes national standards for drinking water quality from public water systems. Codified at 42 U.S.C. § 300f et seq.
- Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972
Prohibits the take of marine mammals in U.S. waters and by U.S. citizens on the high seas. Codified at 16 U.S.C. ch. 31.
- Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976
Gives the EPA authority to require reporting, record-keeping and testing of chemical substances, and restrictions for chemicals that present unreasonable risk. Codified at 15 U.…
Where to go & how to get help
Government agencies and non-profit legal-help organizations for environmental in Oregon.
Official U.S. government starting point for finding free or low-cost legal help and legal-aid programs near you.
Locate the LSC-funded legal-aid organization that serves your county for civil (non-criminal) legal problems.
Find your state or local bar association lawyer-referral service and free legal-answer programs.
Find your state attorney general to file consumer-protection, civil-rights, or other complaints.
Not legal advice. State-specific statutes, deadlines and procedures are being sourced and will appear here.