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Each week we will update you on any of OCN’s priorities when there is news to report. For the complete list and overview of all of the Priorities for a Healthy Oregon visit www.OregonPriorities.org.
Implementing Global Warming Solutions
Big week for Cap and Trade – Join RePower Oregon for a Lobby Day!
RePower Oregon, the grassroots campaign dedicated to implementing global warming solutions for Oregon, is holding a lobby day to kick off their legislative fight this session.
Bring your voice to Salem and let your legislators know that 2009 is the year to pass comprehensive climate change legislation in Oregon!
Tuesday, February 10th
9am - 3pm
Reed Opera House, Trinity Ballroom
189 Liberty St NE #204
Salem, OR. 97301
Sign up online. For more information contact Seth Moore at 503-278-1577.
If you can't make it to Salem, write a letter to your legislator.
Visit Repower Oregon to learn about all of the Healthy Climate Package legislation. Still have questions? Check out The Sightline Institute's FAQ on Cap and Trade.
Important Bills and Hearings
In addition to SB 80, another key piece of the Healthy Climate Package is HB 2186, which authorizes the Environmental Quality Commission to adopt rules to help Oregon achieve greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. HB 2186 had its first hearing in the House Water and Environment Committee on Tuesday, and the second hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, February 10, 3pm in HR D.
Promote Water Conservation
Important Bills and Hearings
SB 194 calls for the implementation of the Oregon Water Resources Department's Strategic Measurement Plan by 2012. While conservation interests have long sought legislation to require measurement and reporting of water use, this bill does not get us there in its current form. The state has started implementation of a measurement plan that was adopted by the Water Resources Commission in 2000.
That plan is multi-tiered: it first calls for measurement of significant diversions in priority areas and then directs the state to phase in measurement of significant diversions statewide.
Environmental groups are asking Senators to amend this bill to set timelines and to require reporting of water use, as several other western states already do. Call your Senator today!
Status: Hearing Senate Environment and Natural Resources, February 10, 3pm, HRC
OCN Position: Requesting Amendments
SB 193 – SB 193 directs the Water Resources Department (WRD) to develop a state water resources strategy in consultation with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). A glaring omission of SB 193 is the exclusion of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) as a consulting agency.
To develop a truly integrated state water resources strategy, the bill should include ODFW as a first-tier agency along with WRD and DEQ, as ODFW has key expertise on instream water needs and values. Conservationists are requesting Senators amend the bill to do this. Please urge your Senator to insist on an amendment that would add ODFW to this planning effort.
Status: Hearing Senate Environment and Natural Resources, February 10, 3pm, HRC
OCN Position: Requesting Amendments
Contacts for both SB 193 and 194:
Stop the Spread of Invasive Species
Important Bills and Hearings
HB 2212 - This bill broadens the classification of noxious weeds to include all noxious weeds defined on the Oregon toxic weed list which will help Oregon combat the introduction and spread of these weeds. The hearing for HB 2212 has been rescheduled in the House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Communities Committee for Tuesday, February 10, 8am, HRD.
Contact: Tom Wolf, Oregon Council, Trout Unlimited, at 503-883-1102.
Major Threats to a Healthy Oregon
One more hearing scheduled on Big Look Task Force's proposal
This week 33 citizens packed Hearing Room E, concerned about provisions in the Big Look Task Force's proposal as the House Land Use Committee heard HB 2229. The committee has scheduled a second hearing this upcoming Tuesday, February 10th from 3:00 - 4:00 pm and then again from 6:00 to 8:00 in HR E. Oregonians in Action is planning on packing the hearing, so we need to do the same. Get in touch with Tara Sulzen with 1000 Friends at 503-497-1000 to get involved.
Hot Topics
1. Metolius River Protection Update: Two Hearings Scheduled in Central Oregon
The State Land Conservation and Development Commission has scheduled two hearings in Central Oregon to address a plan to designate the Metolius Basin as an Area of Critical State Concern. The first hearing will be held on Wednesday, February 11th at 5:00 pm, at the Sisters High School, 1700 W McKinney Butte Rd. in Sisters. The second hearing will be held on Thursday, February 12th at 5:00 pm, at the Madras Senior Center at 860 SW Madison in Madras.
Testimony provided at these hearings will help guide the Governor and DLCD in their efforts to protect the Metolius. Please let them know that destination resorts are not appropriate in or near the basin.
For more information, please visit the Department of Land Conservation and Development's Metolius information page.
Contact: Jonathan Manton, Campaign Manager for Central Oregon LandWatch, jmanton2008@gmail.com
2. Governor Roberts nominated by Governor to join Gorge Commission
Former Governor Barbara Roberts was nominated by Governor Kulongoski last week to sit on the Columbia Gorge Commission. Pending confirmation from the State Senate, Roberts hopes to "make sure. . .that the Gorge Commission sees itself as more than a land use agency".
Read more.
3. Hearing on the Children's Safe Products Act Expected February 16th
HB 2367 - The Children's Safe Products Act protects children from toxic chemicals in toys and other products by requiring the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to identify chemicals in consumer products that are of high concern for children's health, require manufacturers to notify DHS and DEQ when these chemicals are used in their products, and prohibits the use of dangerous chemicals in childrens' products including phthalates and bisphenol A. A hearing in the House Consumer Protection Committee is expected on Monday, February 16th, 3pm, HR E.
Contact: Andrea Salinas, Oregon Environmental Council, 971-221-2653
4. Public Committee Hearings to be held on Budget Cuts next week
An influential series of public hearings are being held this week to discuss cuts to the '07-'09 budget. Even with the federal stimulus accounted for, an estimated $500 to $530 million will be needed to be cut from the current biennium's budget. "These cuts are going to be deep, and they're going to be hurtful. But we have no other options but to go down this path because of our need to have a balanced budget," says Geoff Sugarman, spokesman for Oregon House Speaker Dave Hunt. Among the proposed budget cut areas are education, public safety, social services, and natural resources.
Check out what the Statesman Journal has to say, and see the '07-'09 5% agency reductions on the Legislative Fiscal Offices' website to read proposed budget cuts.
5. Oregon to lead in Solar Development
The nation continues to look to Oregon to set innovative environmental precedents. Check out this article on solar production in Oregon to get a sense of the precedents we are setting and the kind of position we are in to create powerful policies.
Get Involved
Our Oceans: Common Ground III Premier
February 18th, Join Our Oceans for a movie showing! The premiere of Common Ground III will be shown in Salem. Following the brief movie showing, there will be a panel discussion mediated by a legislative champion in Coastal Legacy Protection.
Micah Building, 680 State Street, Salem
5:30 pm
Contact Erin Anderson at 503-221-7922 x 12 for more information.
Legislative Town Halls
Over the course of the session, legislators, senators, and their staff make concerted efforts to hold public town halls and coffee chats. Usually held on a weekday evening or weekend morning, it's a great opportunity to learn your elected officials' stances on issues, voice your opinions, and get to know your community. To find out about these, sign up for your legislator's newsletter updates online.
Here are a few that we know about:
Representative Michael Dembrow - meet at Manhattan Cafe
2735 NE Broadway
Saturday February 7th
9:30 - 10:30 am
Rep.MichaelDembrow@state.or.us
Representative Tobias Read - meet at Ava Roasteria
4655 SW Hall Blvd, Beaverton
Saturday February 21st
8:30 - 10:00 am
Rep.Tobiasread@state.or.us
Representative Nathanson - meet at Brewed Awakening
2532 Willakenzie Rd, Eugene.
Saturday, February 21st
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Rep.NancyNathanson@state.or.us
Representative Jules Bailey - meet at Muddy Waters
2908 SE Belmont Ave, Portland
Saturday, February 28th
9:00 - 11:00 am
Rep.JulesKopelBailey@state.or.us, 503-986-1442
Representative Kevin Cameron - meet at Neufeldt's Restaurant
190 Main Street, Aumsville
Saturday, February 28th
9am - 10am
rep.kevincameron@state.or.us, 503-986-1419
Senator Frank Morse, Representative Sara Gelser, and Representative Andy Olson - meet at Corvallis Public Library
645 NW Monroe Ave, Corvallis
Every first Saturday: Feb 7, Mar 7, Apr 4, May 2, and June 6
10 am - noon
sen.frankmorse@state.or.us, 503-986-1708
rep.saragelser@state.or.us, 503-986-1416
rep.andyolson@state.or.us, 503-986-1415
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