‘Huge for us’: Town of Detroit relieved at DEQ rule change

DETROIT, Ore. (KOIN) — Detroit Mayor Jim Trett can envision what a new main street might look like in his close-knit community.

He’s been imagining it for more than five years.

“We do have businesses that have plans, are ready to rebuild once they get that septic permit. That’s the whole hang-up,” Trett said.

The aftermath of the 2020 Labor Day fires that devastated the Santiam Canyon is still being felt up and down Route 22.

While some 75 to 80 percent of homes in Detroit have been rebuilt, according to the mayor, there’s almost no brick-and-mortar construction when it comes to new shops, restaurants or other small businesses.

That’s about to change.

“For our economy being tourism, that’s huge for us,” said Trett.

In about a month, the commission overseeing the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is expected to modify its Three Basin Rule, which helps protect the Clackamas, Santiam and McKenzie Rivers.  

Trett says current rules have strict restrictions when it comes to sewer and septic regulation, which have made redevelopment or construction since the fires extremely difficult.

“It really hasn’t allowed anyone on the Clackamas, Santiam or McKenzie rivers to develop. We get it, we want that river to be clean too. But it made it totally impossible for cities on septic to develop or grow,” said Trett.

The DEQ outlines the proposed change on an upcoming meeting agenda, saying in part:

“The proposed changes aim to allow limited issuance of national pollutant discharge elimination system permits, while preserving the original intent of the rule. The changes will also streamline the Onsite-Wastewater Treatment and control facility permitting process…”

The move comes after a lengthy public comment period, and after a petition from Marion County was submitted to help impacted communities as they work to rebuild.

Trett hopes to see shovels in the ground early next year.