OLCV e-bulletin: The end is near

The end is near

If we seem a little tired, it's because the end of the 2009 Oregon Legislative Session is very, very near. The last couple of weeks have been action-packed, as the legislature has been playing catch-up on environmental bills.
 
As recapped on the OLCV Blog, hundreds of environmental bills were introduced this session, an even dozen of which the Oregon Conservation Network prioritized, on six key issues.

Check out recent session news:
 
In case you missed it, check out OLCV Executive Director Jonathan Poisner's op-ed on the state of the session in The Oregonian.
 
Now, the news stories are starting to roll out recapping how the environment has fared this session. A story in the Salem Statesman Journal last week focused on the effect of the budget crisis on environmental legislation. But more votes have happened since that story ran, and still more are yet to come.
 
Likewise, last Saturday, The Oregonian published a pretty fair -- if premature -- assessment of environmental wins and losses in the legislature. Unfortunately, the story went to press before the fate of many bills, both pro- and anti-environment, was known.
 
In addition, the story failed to mention key OCN successes. One is a plan to create two marine reserves and study the potential of four more along Oregon's coast. Legislation also passed that will protect Oregon taxpayers and the environment from the hefty price tag of destructive invasive species. (We still have work to do on invasives.)
 
To find more news stories on this year's environmental legislation, click here.
 
As the session winds down, read more about environmental victories and the remaining battles below, and on the OLCV Blog.
 
And don't forget: For an an easy way to track bills in the legislature and see related press coverage, check out the Oregonian's bill tracker.
 

One step closer to low-carbon fuel: Thank your legislators!

 
Just last night, the Oregon Senate passed a stripped-down version of House Bill 2186 in a 16 to 14 vote.
 
As amended in the Senate, the bill allows the state to develop a low-carbon fuel standard, which would reduce the carbon dioxide pollution from fuel by 10% by 2020. If the changes are agreed to by the House, and the bill signed by the Governor, Oregon will join California and eleven Northeast states in moving toward low carbon fuels. Read more on the OLCV Blog.
 
The bill now goes back to the House for a concurrence vote.


Did your legislators support HB 2186? (Don't know who your legislators are? Click here.)
 
If your legislators supported HB 2186, please take a moment to thank them!
 
Invasive species: Victory and more work to do

This legislative session, the Oregon Conservation Network has focused on legislation that would protect Oregon taxpayers and the environment from the hefty price tag of invasive species. That work is paying off.

Senate Bill 571 has already been signed to the governor. This bill increases penalties for the intentional introduction of live fish into Oregon's waters. Just such activity caused the tui chub fish to take over the Diamond Lake ecosystem in Southern Oregon in 2006, and cost taxpayers $6 million to clean up.
But there's still work to do. Last night, the House passed HB 2220, which would authorize the creation of mobile check stations to inspect and clean boats for invasive plants and mussels. The bill will soon be considered in the Senate.
And HB 2020, which would set up an emergency response fund to fight invasives, will be on the House floor within the next few days.
 
Metolius bill heads to Governor

 
Everyone thought House Bill 3298 was dead after it lost in the House last week by one vote. But on Monday, one representative changed his vote, tipping the scales and passing the bill! It now heads to the Governor to be signed into law.
 
Check out the story in The Oregonian.
 
From the story: "In a brief and a fairly unemotional 10-minute debate, Rep. Larry Galizio, D-Tigard, said he had changed his mind and supported the bill. Galizio said he switched following a "convincing" phone call from the governor and "an outpouring" of letters and contacts from the public."
 
That's right. Your input makes a difference.
 
House Bill 3298 will protect the Metolius River Basin, an Oregon treasure, for future generations. It declares the area an “Area of Critical State Concern” and allows only a limited amount of development in the basin. The Metolius River is a federally designated wild and scenic river, emerging from a spring and providing America’s best habitat for the endangered bull trout.
 
 

Photo contest: Send us your Oregon pics!

 
OLCV wants your photographs. We will select the best photo for the cover of OLCV's 2009 Legislative Scorecard, published in September.
 
Do you have photos of your favorite places in the state? Your kids on a riverside trail? Mountain views? Your sweetie playing in tide pools or strolling on a long, deserted beach? Sunset in Eastern Oregon?
 
We want to see your pics. Better yet, we want to use them. The winner gets the Scorecard cover, and runners up may be used inside the Scorecard, in the e-bulletin, or on our website.
 
Send your best shots (including ones that picture friends, family and pets) to Toby at toby@olcv.org. Questions? Call 503-224-4011. DEADLINE: JULY17
 
Multnomah County event TONIGHT! Plus summer events statewide

 
OLCV's county chapters have many summer events planned. Look below for an event near you, and check your OLCV county chapter website for updates.
 
OLCV Multnomah County Chapter
 
Wine, bourbon and beer tasting in North Portland
TONIGHT! Thursday, June 25, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Go here for more information and tickets.
 
 
OLCV Lincoln County Chapter
 
Sustainable Seafood Bake and Silent Auction in Newport
Sunday, June 28, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Get more info and purchase tickets here.
 
 
OLCV Washington County Chapter
 
Washington County OLCV's 4th Annual Ice Cream Social, with special guest Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown
Sunday, July 12, 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Click here for details.
 
 
OLCV Lane County Chapter
 
"Backyard Farmyard" Summer House Party in Eugene
Sunday, July 19, noon to 3 p.m.
Click here for more information.
 

What happens after Salem?

 
The end of the session is so close we can taste it. But our work doesn't end with the session. Stay informed on OLCV and the Oregon Conservation Network's activities.
 
As soon as the session is over, we'll start preparing our Environmental Scorecard on the 2009 Legislature. Watch this space for more news on the Scorecard, which will be released in September.
 
 

And sign up for SalemWatch, your guide to legislative and state agency actions, as well as events and other news. Between legislative sessions, SalemWatch is published monthly.

NOTE: The e-bulletin will be published once a month in July and August.