Saint Helens staff outline DEQ-driven erosion-control ordinance, debate permit thresholds and fees

City Planner Jacob Grama told the City of Saint Helens council on July 16 that the city’s draft erosion-control ordinance and related permitting changes respond to requirements in the Willamette Watershed total maximum daily load implementation plan.

The proposed update would add a permit for land disturbance, expand enforcement tools and set local thresholds for when a permit is required. Jacob Grama said the draft municipal threshold is 1,000 square feet but stressed the city can adjust that number: “We went with a thousand. So, like Mohammed was saying, we can adjust the size if we chose,” Grama said. He also told the council the DEQ-driven minimum effectively requires the city to regulate disturbances of at least a half acre.

Council and staff said the change is intended to close gaps between state/federal rules and local enforcement, and to protect creeks listed on Oregon DEQ’s 303(d) list.

Why it matters: The council was asked to balance DEQ compliance, development‑process costs for homeowners and builders, and the city’s capacity to implement inspections and enforcement. Staff said the ordinance must be in place to meet the city’s TMDL implementation deadline.

The…