Oregon Conservation Groups Announce 2007 Legislative Priorities

In 1999 alone, 19 bills harmful to Oregon’s environment were passed by the Legislature, with 14 vetoed by the Governor.

(SALEM) - On Thursday, leading conservation organizations unveiled their priorities for the 2007 legislative session.

The Priorities for a Healthy Oregon include reforming Measure 37, expanding Oregon’s electronic recycling program, investing in renewable energy, decreasing dependence on foreign oil by promoting biofuels, and addressing the issue of toxic pollution in our waterways.

In addition, the coalition remains committed to retaining Oregon’s landmark environmental safeguards – including the protection of forests, farmland, rivers, fish and wildlife.

The priorities were created by the Oregon Conservation Network, a coalition of over 40 leading environmental organizations. “The 2007 Legislature should take actions that will promote a safer, healthier future for our children,” said Sybil Ackerman the Legislative Affairs Director for the Oregon League of Conservation Voters.

Ackerman, who also coordinates the OCN and is responsible for promoting the Priorities for a Healthy Oregon to the 2007 Legislature, notes the significance of this coalition, “By creating the Priorities we are giving legislators realistic and attainable goals that benefit all Oregonians.

By adopting these priorities, legislators will protect our environmental heritage, create jobs and provide for a healthy, clean Oregon now and in the future.” The most recent addition to the Priorities is reforming Measure 37.

Measure 37 has unleashed environmental havoc throughout Oregon with proposals to build subdivisions on Steens Mountain and at the pristine Wallowa Lake East Moraine; mine pumice at Newberry Crater National Volcanic Monument; erect billboards throughout Portland; and expand a Washington County landfill.

“If the legislature does not reform Measure 37 this session, the flawed law stands to harm both Oregonians’ livelihoods and quality of life. While corporations and land speculators see a golden legal loophole, the measure does not actually work for individuals. Measure 37 needs to be reformed so that the law provides real fairness for all Oregonians while respecting our natural heritage and the rights of neighbors,” said Dan Eisenbeis of 1000 Friends of Oregon.

“It is critical that the legislature pass laws that promote energy independence, foster jobs and create a healthy environment,” says Jeff Bissonnette from the Citizens’ Utility Board.

Lindsey Capps, who represents the Oregon Environmental Council, explains the benefits of biofuels, “A robust local biofuels industry means less dependence on foreign oil, a cleaner environment, greater rural economic development and more jobs for Oregonians.” Capps continues, “That’s a win-win for Oregon.” Jeremiah Baumann, environmental advocate for the Oregon State Public Interest Research Group agrees, “This Legislature can put in place bold policies to increase our use of sources like wind and solar energy and make Oregon national leader, not just in energy independence and renewable energy technologies, but also in cutting global warming pollution.”

The OCN is urging the legislature to enact a renewable biofuels standard and a renewable energy standard to get 25% of Oregon’s energy from renewable sources by 2025. In a recent poll, a majority of Oregonians said legislators should close the loophole that allows dangerous levels of toxic pollution to be dumped into our rivers.

“When people go to fish, boat, or swim in Oregon’s rivers, they don’t want to worry about whether it’s making them sick,” says Ivan Maluski from the Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club.

He adds, “We need to do something now to decrease toxics in our rivers.” Computers contain toxic chemicals such as lead and mercury that pose serious problems if not properly disposed.

“Hundreds of thousands of Oregonians have computers in their basements that they want to get rid of but don’t have the means,” says Katy Daily of Recycling Advocates. “The key is to give all Oregonians easy access to recycling programs for televisions, personal computers, printers, and scanners.” In addition to passing these Priorities, the OCN is committed to maintaining existing environmental safeguards.

Each of the last six Legislatures passed rollbacks that aimed to reverse or weaken environmental safeuguards. While the new Legislative House leadership should be more willing to reject rollbacks, OCN will remain vigilant.

“When special interests ask the legislature to exempt them from safeguards, we need a legislature who’ll just say no,” says John DeVoe of WaterWatch Oregon.

Susan Ash of Portland Audubon agrees, "We have a responsibility to better protect our environment for future generations. We can not afford to weaken existing safeguards for the short term profit of a few commercial businesses." To find out more information, visit the website: Priorities for a Healthy Oregon