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DEQ declines direct SEP award; Morrow County told to work with OHA for Westglenn clean-water grant
Summary
The county reported the Department of Environmental Quality informally declined to award Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) funds for Westglenn directly and suggested routing funds through the Oregon Health Authority; county will pursue alternate steps and community outreach.
County staff updated commissioners on a Morrow County application to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) funding intended to support engineering and community work in the Westglenn neighborhood.
Staff said DEQ reviewed the county's SEP proposal and concluded the project was not sufficiently "ripe" for a direct SEP award in November; DEQ has suggested awarding SEP funds to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) under an existing SEP arrangement, and OHA could then make funds available to the county as the project matures. County staff characterized that outcome as a partial setback but not a closed door.
DEQ officials cited insufficient community outreach as a primary reason, and county staff said prior mailings and an online survey produced a low response rate. The county plans to use Business Oregon grant-funded outreach partners (REV and OHA assistance) to strengthen community engagement in Westglenn and to re-position the project for future SEP funds or related funding streams.
Staff asked DEQ whether DEQ would define a clear outreach threshold; according to staff DEQ did not provide a specific metric beyond requesting stronger direct engagement. Commissioners asked staff to continue community outreach, coordinate with OHA and the Port as appropriate, and return with progress reports on engagement and funding strategy.
