It is declared to be the policy of this state:
(1) To aid and encourage public agencies with authority to provide treatment works for the control of water pollution, or responsibility for implementing a nonpoint source management plan pursuant to the nonpoint source management program described in ORS 468.429, in the transition from reliance on federal grants to local self-sufficiency by the use of fees paid by users of the treatment works;(2) To aid and encourage qualified institutions to assist in the protection or maintenance of water quality in the waters of this state by financing projects to repair or replace failing on-site septic systems or to replace failing on-site septic systems with connections to an available sewer;(3) To accept and use any federal grant funds available to capitalize a perpetual revolving loan fund; and(4) To assist public agencies in meeting treatment works' construction obligations in order to prevent or eliminate pollution of surface and ground water by making loans from a revolving loan fund at interest rates that are less than or equal to market interest rates.Amended by 2023 Ch. 56,§ 2, eff. 1/1/2024.Amended by 2019 Ch. 558, § 2, eff. 7/15/2019, op. 1/1/2020.