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Priorities for a Healthy Oregon |
If you happened to miss the front page of The Oregonian yesterday, here is your chance to read about the stellar achievement that is The Wilderness Bill. Following a fervent effort by almost 100 environmental organizations in Oregon over the past 10 years, this bill constitutes a huge conservation victory, having passed the US Congress with a 285-140 house vote.
"Advocates said the protections bestowed by the bill are the biggest advance in wilderness preservation in a generation -- and the signal of a new era of congressional support for conservation."
Read more about the bill and its history here. A huge congratulations to the hundred of environmental organizations who worked so long to keep this bill strong!
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
Eliminate Invasive Species
 On Tuesday, the House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Communities Committee will hold a hearing on a key OCN Priority: stopping the spread of invasive species.
The Committee will hear House Bill 2220, which would allow the creating of highway border stations to require boats entering the state be cleaned, to prevent the introduction of invasive snails and mussels into Oregon's waterways. If mussels find their way to Oregon's waters they could cause millions of dollars of damages and wreak havock on Oregon's ecosystems. HB 2220 also increases the penalties for intentionally introducing invasive species, something that happens when fisherman bring their favorite non-native fish into a lake. Such an action required a $6 million eradication effort in Southern Oregon's Diamond Lake just three years ago. (Read about Idaho's efforts on these issues).
The Committee will also hear HB 2020, which would set up an earmarked fund to respond quickly to invasive species outbreaks. Quick response to eradicate invasive species can save the public millions of dollars, as well as preventing expensive damages to key industries such as Oregon's billion-dollar-a-year nursery industry.
It will also hold work sessions on three other bills; HB 2583 would create a penalty for launching invested boats into Oregon's waters; HB 2221 would prohibit selling hunts of feral swine; and HB 2714 would set up a task force dealing with the introduction of invasive species via shipping transportation.
Contact: Tom Wolf, of Trout Unlimited (503) 883-1102
Promote Water Conservation
 SB 740 - Water Right Administration Fee
Water in Oregon belongs to the public. Currently, the state does not charge anything for the actual use of this public resource, nor for the complicated administration and enforcement of a water right once it is issued. Oregon faces an unprecedented budget crisis and is struggling to fund the core functions of natural resources agencies, including the Water Resources Department. It is time to ensure the Water Resources Department has the capacity to administer the water right system and manage the public waters of the state. SB 740 proposes a modest water fee of $50 a year on all consumptive water right holders. This fee would go to support vital water management functions, including the protection of instream water rights. Please urge the Senate Environment and Natural Resource Committee to support SB 740.
SB 788 - Help protect peak flows needed for rivers and fish!
With population growth and climate change brining increased pressures to bear on Oregon's rivers and stream, water suppliers are aggressively pursuing new storage projects to capture any last unallocated wayer around the state. Most projects will rely on unallocated winter, or "wet" season, water, as water in the late spring, summer and early fall has already been given away to other water uses. However, high flows during the wet season are also important for sustaining and supporting rivers and stream and the fish that depend upon them.
Contact: Dave Moskowitz, of Confluence Consulting (503) 235-8953 |
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 1. We did it! SB 596 Passes the Senate.
Thank you for your quick response in sending emails to the Senate in support of SB 596. The bill passed Tuesday with a 22-8 vote. SB 596 will be phase-in ban of DecaBDE, a flame retardant commonly found in mattresses and other household products. SB 596 adds Deca-BDE to the list of hazardous substances currently being phased out of the market due to potential public health risks. It is now awaiting committee assignment in the House.
"There is a lot that we do not know about the toxins in our everyday life, but the evidence on Deca-BDE suggests that it could pose serious, long-term affects to our health," said Senator Mark Hass (D-Beaverton), chief sponsor of the legislation. "As long as there are safe alternatives out there to this product, I can think of no reason why we would want to risk exposing our children and ourselves to Deca-BDE," said Deputy Majority Leader Laurie Monnes Anderson (D-Gresham), who sponsored the 2005 legislation banning certain BDEs. Senator Walker, whose brother is a fire marshall in Washington State, also spoke passionately in favor of the bill.
Contact Sue Marshall, on behalf of Willamette Riverkeeper and Audubon Society of Portland, (971) 506-4617.
2. Energy Efficiency bonding for Households
HB 2626 is an energy efficiency bill put forward by Representative Jules Bailey and Representative Tobias Read that will help homeowners and small businesses make energy efficient and renewable energy upgrades. It is scheduled for a public hearing on March 31st in the House Sustainability and Economic Development Committee, 1:00 pm.
3. Bottle Bill Expansion
On Thursday, the House Environment and Water Committee passed out of committee the bill to expand Oregon's Bottle Bill, House Bill 2184-A. The final bill included a list of covered beverages to be added to the bottle bill in 2013, including sports drinks, coffee, tea, juice and similar non-carbonated beverages, and allows a raise in the deposit to 10 cents if and when we fail to make an 80% recovery goal of covered containers, the first report of which will be in 2015. A key amendment that was adopted ensures a limited (24 container) return to retail model is maintained even if redemption centers are established in an area, which is allowed under the current bottle bill but has never been implemented.
The committee removed the referral to Ways and Means so HB 2184-A will be heading to the house floor sometime next week. This will be a close vote so please contact your representatives to let them know that this expansion is important to maintain the bottle bill’s effectiveness in keeping important resources out of Oregon’s landfills, roadsides, and waterways.
Contacts: Katy Daily, Recycling Advocates, (503) 515-3474
Kristen Leonard, Association of Oregon Recyclers, (503) 320-9427
4. Responsible Water Development Funding: Eligibility Standards
SB 787 would help ensure that before the state spends pubic funds on new water supply projects, that existing water supplies are being managed responsibly. Responsible water management includes ensuring that basic conservation, efficiency and management measures are being implemented where feasible before public money is spent on water supply projects. In recent years there has been a strong political push to increase state funding of private water projects -- whether irrigation dams, district canals or municipal infrastructure. SB 787 requires that each applicant for state funds is taking basic steps to responsibly manage its existing water supply, including requiring demand forecasts, implementation of Water Management and Conservation Plan elements, and full measurement of water use. Please urge the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee to support SB 787.
Contact: Dave Moskowitz, of Confluence Consulting (503) 235-8953
5. Product Stewardship has first Public Hearing
The first public hearing for the Product Stewardship Act of 2009 (HB 3060) is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21, at 3pm in the House Environment and Energy committee. The Product Stewardship Act of 2009 acts as a framework that defines a process for products to be brought under the product stewardship umbrella in Oregon. The foundation of this framework is based on the success of the E-waste bill that passed in 2007, which is an example of product stewardship legislation. Products considered for inclusion will be evaluated by DEQ on a number of factors, such as the potential to reduce waste, toxticity, greenhouse gas emissions, public demand for environmentally safe management, producer readiness, and fiscal impacts for local governments, producers, retailers, consmers and other affected parties. Through a public process DEQ will then recommend to the legislature products to be included under the product stewardship framework. Legislative action will be required for product inclusion.
HB 3060 also contains two product classes to be immediately brought under the product stewardship frmaework, mercury containing lamps (i.e. fluorescent light bulbs) and rechargeable batteries. Mercury containing lamps are a perfect example of the need for product stewardship legislation with the proliferation of compact fluorescent lights and the difficulty, importance, and lack of opportunity around the state of managing them safely once they burn out.
Contact: Katy Daily of Recycling Advocates, (503) 515-3474
6. Destination Resort Update
Last week, the House Land Use Committee held a hearing on HB 2227, destination resort reform legislation by the Department of Land Conservation and Development.
HB 2227 would reform Oregon's destination resort laws. Destination resorts are intended to be mainly for overnight stays, not rural subdivisions, and this bill changes Oregon law to reflect that intent.
Contact: Danielle Welliever of 1000 Friends, (360) 259-8385
7. HB 2999, Pesticide Use Reporting System (PURS) bill up for first hearing next week
On Wednesday, April 2nd the House Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Rural Communities Committee will hold a vote on HB 2999. Oregon's PURS program collects data on what pesticides are used in Oregon and in what areas they are used. HB 2999 would extend the sunset of the PURS program to January 2, 2016 in order to collect six more years of vital data and improve the scientific usefulness of the data collected by moving from a water basin level of reporting to a watershed level of reporting. Please contact your local legislator and encourage them to support a healthy Oregon by continuing the critical and unfinished work started by the Oregon pesticide use reporting system through passage of HB 2229.
Contact: Kristin Leonard, of Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Peticides, (503) 320-9427
8. SB 631 Phosphorus Ban up for a Senate Vote on March 30th
SB 631 requires that the content of phosphorus in automatic dishwashing soap limit be limited to less than 0.5% by weight. This bill closes a big loophole that was allowed in the 1991 phosphorus ban that removed phosphorus from laundry soap. Excessive phosphorus seriously impairs water quality by promoting the excessive growth of algae in our streams and lakes.
This bill passed unanimously from the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. Please send your Senator a message to support this bill!
Contact: Sue Marshall, on behalf of Tualatin Riverkeepers, (971) 506-4617
9. Environment Oregon's Global Warming Progress Report
An in-depth report on Global Warming was issued this week by Environment Oregon, and is available online. It focuses on Oregon specific needs to combat global warming now, as well as the progress Oregon has made, and will need to make in order to achieve these proven standards. Specifically, it outlines six strategies to "slash Oregon's global warming pollution." Read the press release for an overview, or go straight to the in-depth report.
Contact: Ramona Baker, of Environment Oregon, (503) 231-1986 ex 324
Oregon Bike Summit coming up!
On April 21st and 22nd, join a gathering of legislators, bike advocates, and key members of Oregon's cycling community in Salem as we join force to continue the fight for maintaining Oregon's status as a premier cycling state.
Read more about the activities of the day that will include influential keynote speakers, powerful lobbying sessions and a refreshing bike ride on the 22nd.
Tuesday, April 21st, 1-7pm
Wednesday, April 22nd, 7-7pm
Salem Conference Center
200 Commercial Street SE, Salem
Rally against the Columbia River Crossing, Sunday April 5th
Oppose the big fat bridge? Us too. Mark your calendars. Join advocates from around the state as we assemble on Waterfront Park to listen to keynote speakers such Commissioner Amanda Fritz talk about why the 12-lane Columbia River Crossing is the wrong move.
Sunday, April 5th
Waterfront Park, Portland.
...more details to follow. Read more about the problems with the bridge.
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 legislators' newsletter online. Use the link to find out who your representative and senator are.
Coming Up - This week
 Michael Dembrow
Saturday, March 28th
9-10:30 am
Manhattan Cafe
NE 27th and Broadway, Portland
 Alan Bates
Medford
Sunday, March 29th
RCC Higher Education Center Presentation Hall
101 S Bartlet Street, Medford
 Representative Brent Barton with Senator Rick Metsger 
Tuesday, March 31st
6:30 pm
Deep Creek Elementary School
15600 SE 232nd
Brought to you endearingly from Legislative Affairs Director (and rockstar), Evan Manvel.
The Power of Wind
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