Oregon Conservation Network: Priorities for the February session

More than 40 groups will work together to protect Oregon's natural legacy

The Oregon Conservation Network has announced its Priorities for a Healthy Oregon for the 2010 Special Session of the Oregon Legislature, which starts Monday. More than 40 of Oregon’s leading environmental groups will join forces to pass three bills, which will protect Oregon’s children, build livable communities and preserve Oregon’s coastal legacy.

“The health of our kids, stronger local economies, protected coastal areas for future generations—these are issues that will improve the lives of families across the state,” says OLCV Executive Director Jon Isaacs. “We expect legislators of both parties will listen to the people of Oregon and pass all three of these priorities.”

Details on the 2010 Priorities for a Healthy Oregon:

Protecting our children from Bisphenol A (BPA)

More and more evidence shows that Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical found in plastics like baby bottles, is harmful to children's health. The Oregon Environmental Council is leading a large coalition to support Senate Bill 1032, a proposal from the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, to ban BPA from baby bottles and children's food containers sold in Oregon. The federal government is concerned about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and young children. Recent studies show subtle effects of low doses of BPA. Passing this ban would make Oregon a national leader in protecting children from toxic chemicals.

Creating healthy, climate-friendly communities

A task force established by the 2009 Legislature has proposed Senate Bill 1059, which would assist Oregon's six major metro areas to develop plans to broaden transportation choices while also helping Oregon meet its greenhouse-gas reduction goals. 1000 Friends of Oregon and the Oregon Environmental Council represented the conservation community on the task force and will lead the effort to help pass this bill.

Protecting Oregon’s coast from oil and gas exploration

Last year, OCN helped pass landmark legislation to create marine reserves in Oregon's territorial sea. Now there is more work to do the protect Oregon's special coastal areas: The moratorium on drilling for oil and gas in Oregon's coastal waters expired Jan. 2. Rep. Ben Cannon (D-Portland), Chair of the House Environment and Water Committee, will introduce House Bill 3613 to renew the ban and make it permanent. Several OCN members, including Environment Oregon and Our Ocean, are leading the way in building support for Cannon's proposal.

In addition to the three priorities, OCN will also be vigilant on additional environmental issues that may emerge during the session, including fighting rollbacks to existing environmental protections.

The Oregon Conservation Network is a coalition more than 40 environmental organizations—coordinated by the Oregon League of Conservation Voters—with collective membership of more than 100,000 Oregonians. For a complete list of OCN member groups and more information, please visit www.oregonpriorities.org.