SalemWatch: Forests, MegaBridge, Water, Climate
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State Agencies Act on Forests, Transportation, Water, and Climate Agency Moves to Increase Timber Cut in State Forests Board of Forestry Moves Forward to Decrease Habitat
"The Board of Forestry lost its balance last June when, despite warnings from their own scientists, they prioritized timber harvest over some of our last strong runs of salmon and steelhead in the Tillamook and Clatsop state forests," said Bob Van Dyk with the Wild Salmon Center. "State forests can produce timber while also producing great habitat for fish and wildlife, but science needs to be the driver, not a casualty along the side of the road."
"With major timber and mill owners as members, the Board of Forestry is obviously controlled by private interests and in no way represents the public interests of Oregonians," said Noah Greenwald, endangered species program director for the Center for Biological Diversity. "It's no surprise that the Board has put protecting watersheds and wildlife far behind timber."
Sadly, the decision came the same day that the journal Environmental Science Technology published a study finding old growth forests were much more valuable than cut-and-replanted forests in the effort to fight global warming. While some timber companies have argued younger forests grab more carbon, the study found old growth forests store two to three times as much carbon as young forests.
Speak Out! Please contact Governor Kulongoski today and urge him to:
Read more from the Oregon Chapter Sierra Club $30 Million More for the Columbia Crossing OTC Approves More Funding for the MegaBridge
At an August 19 meeting in Klamath Falls the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC), which governs the Oregon Department of Transportation, voted to spend $30 million more for planning a bridge to replace the existing I-5 bridge crossing the Columbia River. The money comes from the $840 million transportation package passed by the 2009 Legislature over the opposition of conservation groups. If built as currently designed, the bridge project would be the most expensive infrastructure investment in the region's history, at over $4 billion. The $30 million is on top of $65 million already spent planning the project.
OTC chair Gail Achterman defended the action, telling The Oregonian: "We've made a tremendous investment of hundreds of citizen hours with the advisory groups. You've just got to bring it to fruition." Perhaps not coincidentally, on August 27 the Bicycle Transportation Alliance walked away from the pedestrian and bicycle advisory committee for the project because its concerns were not being taken seriously and bicycle facilities had been dramatically scaled back.
Also expressing frustration in The Oregonian were Oregon Representatives Jules Bailey, Cliff Bentz, and Brian Clem, who noted the legislature specifically removed funding for the project from the bill they passed.
Meanwhile, support is waning for the costly bridge in its current form. Portland Mayor Sam Adams called for a smaller bridge, and Metro President David Bragdon told The Portland Mercury "It's clear that the version the [Oregon and Washington Departments of Transportation] are pushing is not fundable at its current size. It's also unpopular. They're in a real jam, because they've cooked up this project which is unfundable."
The Oregon League of Conservation Voters has been raising concerns about the bridge for a long time - read this March 5th Op-Ed posted on BlueOregon.
Oregon Water Resources Department Moves Forward on Implementing Integrated Water Supply Strategy
The Water Resources Commission, which oversees Oregon's Water Resources Department recently adopted a work plan to implement parts of House Bill 3369, the comprehensive water management update adopted by the Legislature in 2009 (and an OCN Priority Bill). To learn more about the effort, visit the Water Resource Department's web site.
Find a Water Polluter Near You!
The New York Times has created a searchable database of water polluters, to accompany a major review of the EPA's efforts on clean water. In a comprehensive article, they found 40% of the nation's water systems violated the Safe Drinking Water Act in 2008. Read more and find links on OLCV's blog
Making the Connection: Driving, Land Use, Pollution MPOGGETF Will Meet, Compete in Acronym Contest
House Bill 2186, an OCN Priority Bill passed by the 2009 Oregon Legislature, had many provisions. One required a select group of legislators, local government officials, and stakeholders to meet this fall and come up with a recommended law on how Oregon's six largest metro areas link their transportation and land use plans with Oregon's statutory goals to reduce global warming pollution. The Metropolitan Planning Organization Greenhouse Gas Emissions Task Force (MPOGGETF) will evaluate options on improving land use and transportation planning to cut pollution, and develop a bill proposal for the February 2010 legislative session.
To learn more about how coordinating transportation and land use planning can cut pollution, and how you can make it happen across Oregon, read more at 1000 Friends of Oregon's web site or attend a training on Wednesday, October 28, from 6 pm to 7:30 pm at the Salem Central Library. RSVP to Tara Sulzen, Field Organizer, tara@friends.org.
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1. Grab Bag of Climate News
- An analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council finds the rising price of gas makes Americans more vulnerable to oil price fluctuations. The average Oregonian driver, for example, spent about $450 more of their total income on gas in 2008 than in 2006. Eight states have done more to reduce their dependence on oil than Oregon, but laws passed by the 2009 Legislature could further improve the energy independence of Oregon's families once fully implemented.
- The Washington Post reports on the U.S. Department of the Interior efforts on climate change, including a possible major attack on the invasive plant cheat grass, which regularly catches on fire and contributes to climate change. The plant would be replaced with native sage brush, which absorbs carbon. The Interior Department manages one-fifth of America's land mass, including much of Oregon.
- Meanwhile, a recent study found the invasive tamarisk plant could gain more of a foothold in Oregon due to climate change.
- Former UN Secretary Kofi Annan's Global Humanity Forum released a report detailing the human costs of climate change, estimating over 300,000 people die each year from climate-change-related causes, and that by 2030 climate change will cause $300 billion in annual economic losses.
- The State of Oregon's Global Warming Commission announced a new web site, keeporegoncool.org, which includes a great set of resources and news about the state's efforts to fight the climate crisis.
- Oregon Public Broadcasting covered climate on its Think Out Loud show with author and activist Bill McKibben of 350.org.
- President Obama has proposed new fuel efficiency standards for cars - a proposal backed by car manufacturers and environmental groups.
- Huge investment banks are calling for Congress to take action on climate change to help the economy.
2. New Administration, Same Salmon Battle
The battle to save Oregon's signature salmon continues, as the Obama administration announced its plans to fight extinction. A coalition of conservation groups, scientists, the state of Oregon, and the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho voiced their disappointment with the plan, saying "The decision includes support for the Bush-era scientific analysis, legal standard, and disregard for the impacts of dam operations and climate change on salmon" and violates the Endangered Species Act.
3. Metro Chief Proposes Infill and Smart Planning
In a recent analysis, Metro Chief Operating Officer Michael Jordan recommended the Metro Council accommodate most of the population growth projected for the next 20 years on vacant and underutilized lands within the current urban growth boundary. Read more from Jordan.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality invites citizens to stay up to date with various efforts it is making on climate change. Visit their website and sign up.
The DEQ is also seeking applicants for two advisory committees implementing parts of House Bill 2186, passed by legislators in 2009 at the request of the Oregon Conservation Network and others. One is an advisory committee on truck efficiency and reduced idling, and one is about reducing pollution from fuel. Applications are due Monday, September 21st!
Climate Solutions Business Briefing
Climate Solutions is holding a briefing for businesses about state and federal climate policy and ways policy can create jobs and improve the economy. Featuring Representative Brian Clem. RSVP to Jamie Hogue, (503) 227-8328. When: September 24, 9-11am Where: Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty Street, Salem
Green Cleaning Class The Oregon Center for Environmental Health is hosting a Green Cleaning Class - you'll learn helpful tips and techniques, and leave with your very own laundry detergent, all-purpose cleaner, and soft scrub for the kitchen and bathroom. Cost is $20, or $10 for members of OCN groups. Read more. When: September 26, 10 am to noon Where: 4819 NE Fremont, Portland
Tualatin Riverkeepers Riverfront Music Festival Music, paddling, special Tualatin River Ocktoberfest beer, and children's activities - $20 includes a free glass of beer and use of kayaks. When: September 27, 3-7pm Where: Brown's Ferry Park, Tualatin More information and to buy tickets
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