OLCV e-bulletin: Transportation package, friends in high places, elections and more

Transportation: Make your voice heard

While the Oregon Conservation Network is hard at work in Salem on a variety of environmental priorities that address everything from greenhouse gases to invasive species, one of our biggest fights right now is the fight to pass a balanced transportation package.

 

Hearings started this week on the governor’s transportation plan, which would improve our transportation system while providing jobs and addressing global warming. The testimony at the hearings – from business leaders, local government officials and environmental groups – has been overwhelmingly supportive of the package. But it still has a long way to go.

Your help is needed to make sure that strong environmental components remain in the package. The package should:

• Create jobs
• Lower transportation costs for Oregon families
• Ensure public transit, bicycle and pedestrian options around the state
• Address global warming

1000 Friends of Oregon has an informative breakdown of what Oregon legislators should be voting for.
Tell your legislator what you want to see in Oregon's transportation future. Or tell them in person. The next public hearing is Friday, March 6, 2009 at 1pm in Hearing Room D at the State Capitol Building, 900 Court Street, Salem.

Environmental champions appointed to key state positions

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski recently appointed two Oregon conservationists to important state commissions that play critical roles in protecting special places and farmland around the state. Both appointments were confirmed last week by the Oregon Senate.
As reported on the OLCV Blog last week, Greg Macpherson’s appointment to the state Land Conservation and Development Commission was approved by the Senate in an 18-10 vote along party lines.
Macpherson was the architect of Measure 49 and fought tirelessly to pass it in 2007. A Linn County native and dedicated OLCV ally, he brings an impressive expertise of land-use law to the commission, which oversees Oregon’s Department of Land Conservation and Development.
Also last week, the Senate approved the appointment of former Oregon Governor Barbara Roberts to the bi-state Columbia River Gorge Commission.
Roberts, who served four years in the legislature and six years as Oregon Secretary of State prior to her tenure as governor, has long been a strong environmental advocate, often partnering with OLCV in our work to preserve the state’s unique natural legacy. With a lifetime OLCV score of 100 percent, Roberts will add a conservationist’s passion and perspective to the commission.
From a story posted on The Oregonian’s website:
The state senate on Tuesday confirmed former Gov. Barbara Roberts' appointment to the Columbia River Gorge Commission.

The commission oversees land use in an 85-mile long corridor along the Columbia River east of Troutdale, and it's currently handling hot button issues like resort development, tribal casinos and swelling urban areas ...

OLCV: The ripple effect

OLCV worked hard to re-elect Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy because of her commitment to sustainable local solutions to a range of issues, including traffic and transportation issues, and climate change. It was a worthy investment: Piercy’s environmental work is reaching far beyond Eugene, across the U.S. border into the swampy tar sands of Canada, and potentially across the globe.
Last year, Eugene’s Piercy submitted the high-carbon fuel resolution – ultimately passed by the 1,200-member U.S. Conference of Mayors – in part encouraging mayors across the country to refrain from buying high-carbon fuels like those produced from the tar sands of Canada.
Continue reading on the OLCV Blog...

May 19 Election: OLCV to endorse candidates

While not all jurisdictions will be filling out ballots for the May 19th election, voters in several areas of the state will have the opportunity to elect candidates whose positions directly impact the environmental legacy we all work to preserve. As important as that may be, some seats still need candidates! The deadline to file is March 19.

Here are some seats around the state where OLCV may be weighing in with endorsements:
Clackamas County

• Milwaukie Mayor
• Clackamas River Water Board

Deschutes County

• Bend Metro Parks and Recreation District Board

Lincoln County

• Port of Newport Commission

Washington County

• Tualatin Water District Board
• Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District Board

Are you interested in filing for one of these positions? The March 19 deadline is just two weeks away. Contact your OLCV county chapter organizer for more information.

Opportunities

The work OLCV does wouldn’t be possible without the help of dedicated citizens like you. When we all do a little, we can accomplish a lot. Here are a few ways to help preserve Oregon natural beauty and resources:
Hold our elected officials accountable

While the Oregon Conservation Network works to fight for environmental priorities at the state level in Salem, OLCV needs citizens like you to help monitor environmental votes at the local level, on city and county commissions, to help our county chapters hold local elected officials accountable. Often, these environmental votes are compiled into annual scorecards that tell voters exactly how our elected officials vote on issues that affect our air, water, land and wildlife. To get involved in this key OLCV mission, contact Katy Daily.
OLCV seeks crafty individual with a passion for environmental issues

OLCV needs the help of a scrap booker or otherwise crafty or design-savvy volunteer to help us create some table displays. The goal: Increase community awareness of and involvement in important work around the state – work to keep Oregon’s air and rivers clean, protect our wildlife, support clean energy, and create green jobs. If you have design skills to donate to such a worthy cause, please contact Katy Daily.
OLCV needs bookshelves

OLCV is looking for a couple of sturdy bookshelves or cabinets to add to our humble office space. They don’t have to be fancy – or even dusted – just as long as they are up to the task of storing our heavy binders. If you’ve got empty shelves, please contact Molly Kramer. And thank you!

Wine and dine with hundreds of your fellow advocates April 24

Last April, nearly 900 of your friends from Oregon’s conservationist, political and sustainable business communities wined, dined and celebrated their commitment to Oregon’s environmental legacy. Join us at the Oregon Convention Center on April 24 for OLCV's Twelfth Annual Dinner for the Environment.
 
This year, we welcome Keynote Speaker Dan Kammen, Distinguished Professor of Energy at UC Berkeley, and Director of the Transportation Sustainability Research Center. Kammen is a contributing member to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that earned the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.
 
No-host cocktails at 5:30; Dinner at 7pm. Click here for more information or to purchase tickets.

Learn about important legislation in 2009

Sign up for SalemWatch, your best source for news on significant environmental decisions being considered right now by the Oregon Legislature.
During the Legislative Session, SalemWatch is published every Friday. It includes details on important bills and special action alerts on how you can influence the votes of your elected representatives.