SalemWatch: Free Rogue, Marine Reserves, Boardman and more...
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After 88 Years, Rogue River Runs Free
Savage Rapids Dam Removed
The dam, built in 1921, had hindered the migration of wild salmon and steelhead, with an estimated 58,000 fish unable to reach their spawning grounds. The breach resulted from over twenty years of advocacy and legal battles by WaterWatch of Oregon and other groups. Other nearby dams have recently come out or are scheduled for removal.
"This is the greatest number of significant dam removals in the country," said WaterWatch spokesman Jim McCarthy.
Boardman Power Plant in the News
Oregon gets about 40% of its electricity from dirty coal - one of the world's leading contributors to the climate crisis. Portland General Electric is requesting new licenses for its Boardman coal plant in Northeastern Oregon and planning to invest $600 million in upgrades.
As Oregon strives to meet its legislatively-adopted climate goals, it's hard to see how continuing to invest hundreds of millions of ratepayer dollars to keep Boardman running should be part of our energy future. The Northwest Power and Conservation Council is working on adopting its sixth regional plan. Steve Weiss from the Northwest Energy Coalition explores the questions that raises about the Boardman power plant. A week earlier, Oregonian columnist Steve Duin talked about the legal battle over Boardman's permits.
Rulemaking on Two Reserves, Process for Others Being Set
With the passage of House Bill 3013, an Oregon Conservation Network Priority, by the 2009 Legislature, Oregon moved forward on marine reserves. That law is now being implemented. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is accepting comments on draft rules to establish, study, monitor and evaluate marine reserves at Otter Rock (north of Newport) and Redfish Rocks (near Port Orford). The draft rules are available here. Written comments can be sent to ODFW, the Department of State Lands, and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Learn how to submit comments in person or in writing here.
ODFW is also considering how to form the community evaluation teams to look at proposed marine reserve sites at Cape Falcon, Cascade Head, and Cape Perpetua. Our Ocean - a coalition of conservationists, scientists, ocean users, local leaders and business people from around the state working to preserve Oregon’s coastal legacy - believes the state must lead a consistent process that ensures productive outcomes including: a transparent process including meetings that follow public meetings laws, balanced and diverse community teams, independent professional facilitators, and a consultant to aid the state in constructing community teams. A well-run process is crucial to build confidence and trust among all parties, and will lead to better outcomes.
To follow the process, sign up for the ODFW Marine Reserves newsletter and the Our Ocean newsletter.
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). A draft work plan and issue paper for Oregon's Integrated Water Resources Strategy is now available, and the Water Resources Commission and Water Resources Department are taking comments, which will be shared with the Commission at their November 19-20 meeting. Visit the Water Resource Department's web site for more information. Implementing New Climate Legislation DEQ Moves Forward on Fuel Pollution and Pollution Reporting The Department of Environmental Quality is moving forward on rulemaking to implement two bills passed in 2009: House Bill 2186, an OCN priority bill that authorizes the creation of a standard to cut pollution from fuel (and has other important provisions), and Senate Bill 38, which requires reporting of global warming pollution from companies involved in power importing and fuel distributing.
Learn more about the Low Carbon Fuel Advisory Committee's schedule and work and sign up for e-mail updates.
Learn more about the process to implement SB 38 and monitor global warming pollution and sign up for e-mail updates about global warming reporting.
Making the Connection: Driving, Land Use, Pollution Keeping Oregon's Communities Cool and Climate-Friendly: Creating Livable Communities through Blueprint Planning
Join 1000 Friends of Oregon to hear about practical, common sense strategies to provide Oregon's largest communities with better transportation choices, lower household transportation costs, and reduced global warming pollution. 1000 Friends will be discussing the work of the Task Force on Greenhouse Gas Emissions, which is proposing legislation in February to reduce pollution through smarter land use and transportation planning.
Read more at 1000 Friends of Oregon's web site or attend a training on Thursday, October 22, 6 pm to 7:30 pm at Springfield Public Library or Wednesday, October 28, from 6 pm to 7:30 pm at the Salem Central Library. RSVP to Tara Sulzen, Field Organizer or call 503-497-1000 x153.
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1. Wind Power at Home
 A little-noticed bill in the 2009 session sponsored by Rep. Ben Cannon and Sen. Jackie Dingfelder would have encouraged more wind and sun-powered energy -- by allowing Oregonians to use clotheslines, instead of clothes driers which often use more energy than any other appliance in the home. Roughly 50 million Americans live in neighborhoods where clotheslines are prohibited under cookie-cutter contracts created by condo or homeowner associations. This week The New York Times highlighted the issue, and The Eugene Register-Guard weighed in in support of the bill, which passed the Oregon House by a 43-17 margin only to die in the Senate.2. Kulongoski Speaks Up for Salmon
Last month we reported on the battle to save Oregon's signature salmon, as the Obama administration announced plans that would fail to adequately protect the species. In an opinion piece published in The Oregonian last week, Governor Kulongoski weighed in to highlight key problems with the Obama plan and explained what could be done to earn the state of Oregon's support.
3. Bradwood LNG Terminal May Not Meet Legal Requirements
State and federal agencies lack the information they need to decide whether a proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal on the Columbia River meets legal standards under the Endangered Species Act and Clean Water Act. LNG is a dirty fossil fuel that emits at least 26% more global warming pollution than domestic natural gas. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and National Marine Fisheries Service are asking for more data from the Texas energy company behind the proposal, NorthernStar Natural Gas, to decide whether its proposal meets federal laws.
4. For Fun: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Remarry
The Eugene Register-Guard has a great article about BRING Recycling's new Chapel of Second Chances, intended for second wedding ceremonies or renewing of vows.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) invites citizens to a day-long workshop on reducing toxic pollutants in Oregon's environment. The day includes presentations and discussions of pollution prevention, public education, DEQ efforts, and cooperative work to reduce toxics. When: Tuesday, November 17, all day Where: Portland Visit the DEQ website to learn more and sign up.
Coastal Conference Features Lubchenco The fifth annual Heceta Head Coastal Conference is coming up, with the theme "Oregon's Ocean: The Land-Sea Connection." The conference is a great way to inform and educate the public of the need for a healthy, productive and resilient marine ecosystem off the Oregon coast. This year's conference features NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco. Learn more and register. When: Friday and Saturday, October 23 and 24 Where: Florence Events Center, Florence
EQC Meeting in Klamath Falls in October The Oregon Environmental Quality Commission, which governs the Department of Environmental Quality, is meeting at the end of October and again in December. Details and agenda. When: October 22 and 23; December 10 and 11 Where: Klamath Falls and Portland, respectively.
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 $5 for members of OCN groups. Read more. When: Saturday, November 14, 10 am to noon Where: 4819 NE Fremont, Portland
Eco-Safe Home Classes Find out if your home is safe. Put on by the Oregon Center for Environmental Health. $5 for members of OCN groups. When: Wednesday October 21 or November 18, 6 pm to 7:30 pm Where: 4819 NE Fremont, Portland RSVP to Jason or call 503-233-1510. |
