ORS 448.157 Harmful algal blooms; legislative findings

The Legislative Assembly finds and declares harmful algal blooms to be a threat to safe drinking water supplies and a menace to public health and welfare.

The Oregon Health Authority, in coordination with the Department of Environmental Quality as further provided for in ORS 468B.600, shall:

Determine and identify drinking water sources that are susceptible to harmful algal blooms or that are downstream of or influenced by water bodies that are susceptible to harmful algal blooms.

Develop a system for the regular monitoring and testing of drinking water sources determined to be susceptible to harmful algal blooms or that are downstream of or influenced by water bodies that are susceptible to harmful algal blooms.

Prioritize monitoring of water bodies that are susceptible to harmful algal blooms and that are:

Sources of domestic or municipal drinking water; or

Bodies of water accessed by the public for recreational use.

Develop a protocol for issuing hazard advisory alerts to the public in the occurrence of a harmful algal bloom.