The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is under the microscope as a recent performance audit highlights both challenges and opportunities for the agency tasked with upholding the state's environmental laws. The Oregon Audits Division has laid out significant hurdles facing DEQ, including the advancing threat of climate change, increased public demand for services, and persistent financial constraints. These external issues, along with internal struggles such as fostering an inclusive workplace, particularly for staff who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color, are shaping the agency's strategic direction.
In response to these findings, DEQ is doubling down on strategic planning, a technique the agency hopes will make it more equipped to navigate these turbulent waters. The audit comes amidst an enhancement of statewide agency expectations under Governor Tina Kotek, who in January 2023 mandated that agencies including DEQ must craft a comprehensive strategic plan by June 2024. With the clock ticking, the plan is seen as a vital tool in streamlining agency operations in the face of limited funding and evolving environmental challenges.
According to a statement obtained by the Oregon Newsroom, Kip Memmott, Audits Division Director, emphasized the widespread impact of such strategic planning, stating, "A successful strategic plan has far-reaching benefits, not just for state agencies but for all Oregonians." He conveyed that through improved efficiency and goal achievement, Oregonians stand to gain from better government services.
Notably, the DEQ is going beyond standard procedure by incorporating an anti-racist framework into its strategic planning. This move mirrors a broader societal shift towards anti-racist policy implementation within integral regulatory work. Aligning with the principles of anti-racism involves actively challenging and altering systems, structures, policies, and attitudes to encourage an equitable distribution of power. With such initiatives, DEQ seeks to lead by example in creating not only a healthier environment but also a more just workplace culture.
