OLCV Talk

"Nothing is Going to Save the Salmon if this Gets In"

So says Idaho state Rep. Eric Anderson about zebra and quagga mussels, that threaten to overtake northwest waterways. While they have yet to be introduced to Washington and Oregon, a boat infested with quagga mussels was stopped on Washington's roads this spring.

If introduced, they could cost the state tens of millions of dollars to control. That's what the Oregon Conservation Network prioritized passing a bill to create and fund boat check stations, and why the legislature passed a dozen bills to fight invasive species.

Read more about quaggas in Friday's Oregonian.

How Is Oregon's Environment Faring This Session?

It’s been a busy five months at the Capitol, and as the session enters its final weeks, we still have a lot of work to do.

Hundreds of environmental bills were introduced this session, an even dozen of which we prioritized, on six key issues. As of today, only two priority bills have made it to the Governor. In short, the session hasn’t exactly gone swimmingly.

 

While the session is not over, right now legislators have a lot of work to do to meet the bar set by the 2007 session, when the Oregon Legislature moved the state forward to fight climate change, fight toxins in rivers, expand the bottle bill, and more. That session was defined by groundbreaking legislation that set goals for reducing global warming pollution and spurred the growth of local renewable energy sources.

 

But a lot has changed since 2007 – most obviously, the state of our economy. And while the climate crisis offers Oregon a chance to create local jobs for Oregon families (The New York Times reports today Oregon leads the nation in green jobs), the 2009 Legislature has yet to send any of the four Oregon Conservation Network priority climate bills to the Governor. The state’s budget woes have proven to be a powerful distraction, and an excuse for inaction.

 

That’s not to say we haven’t seen some small and not-so-small victories, such as:

• TriMet and the Lane Transit District will be able to more adequately fund transit.
• People who dump non-native fish into Oregon lakes and rivers will face increased penalties.
• Oregon’s rivers will be protected from phosphates in household dishwashing soap.
• Homeowners will be able to use gray water to water their lawns and gardens.
• Penalties for corporate polluters will be increased for the first time in 36 years.

 

A critical climate bill, House Bill 2186, passed the House last month, but has yet to pass the Senate. And the House passed a consensus bill (HB 3013) related to OCN's Marine Reserves priority, which is now in the Senate.

Yet the Legislature has missed some opportunities -- like making Oregon's bottle bill more robust -- and may even send the state backwards on climate. Here are some of the battles we’re fighting right now:

 

• HB 2186 - the Senate may considerably weaken the version the House passed, or not take it up at all.
• We may end up fighting against Senate Bill 80, which could be irreparably altered to benefit corporate polluters. Sadly, this bill was once the centerpiece of this session’s climate and jobs package.
• HB 2940 would dramatically cut Oregon’s commitment to our clean energy, undermining the Renewable Energy Standard targets passed in 2007.
• Liquefied natural gas and HB 3058: It’s been an all-session battle against out-of-state corporations determined to site their dirty LNG facilities in our beautiful state. The House passed HB 3058, and it now sits in the Senate. A story in Monday’s Oregonian highlights the battle of grassroots organizations fighting the deep-pocketed fossil fuels energy industry.

 

The session isn't over yet. There's still time for significant progress on climate, water, marine reserves, and invasive species this session. There’s still time to stop major threats and pass key bills that will protect the Oregon we love. That’s what we’re fighting for… Stay tuned.

Invasives Priority Bill to Governor, While Quagga Mussels Found in Washington

Senate Bill 571, an OCN Priority for a Healthy Oregon, passed the Oregon House on a 60-0 vote this morning. The bill will increase penalties on those people who introduce invasive fish into Oregon waters. The bill now heads to the Governor for his signature. Congratulations to all those who helped move this important bill forward! (more about the bill)

Meanwhile, two other invasive priority bills, House Bill 2220 and House Bill 2020, remain in the Joint Ways and Means Committee. HB 2220 would authorize a set of border stations to check boats coming into Oregon for invasive plants and mussels. HB 2020 would set up an emergency response fund to fight invasives. Both are particularly timely in light of today's news that a boat in Washington was found to be carrying quagga mussels, which can cause huge ecological damage and millions of dollars of damage to public water infrastructure.

Invasives Day at the Capitol Well-Received

This morning the House Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Rural Communities  Committee heard two Priorities for a Healthy Oregon bills that will significantly address invasive species concerns in Oregon. Invasive species have the potential to cost Oregon, private business, and taxpayers millions of dollars each year if allowed to invade the state.

House Bill 2220 would allow  check stations at borders for invasive species carriers like boats and potentially off-road vehicles. It was received enthusiastically by the committee, which is simply waiting for technical amendments to be delivered from legislative counsel before moving the bill to the floor.  Members are also exploring legal concerns within the state constitution for stopping motorists in addition to funding the creation and maintenance of the border stations.

House Bill 2020, a partner invasive species bill, establishes a specific fund to promptly respond to invasive species outbreaks. Prompt response is the second most efficient way to address invasive species--behind preventing initial introduction in the state. Funding sources were discussed, such as establishing a fee for non-motorized boat users (kayaks, etc) who often use public facilities, or looking to the off-highway vehicle community, which has a budget dedicated to services for riders. Vehicle owners have expressed interest in directing those funds to creating check station. The bill is also waiting for amendments.

Chair Clem joked that we could at least move forward with "Visit, but Don't Invade" signs at the borders with other states.

Tansy Ragwort Ain't the Only Noxious Thing 'Round Here

Noxious weeds are a big problem in Oregon.

Luckily, the Oregon Legislature is considering making our state's response to invasive weeds smarter, stronger, and more comprehensive.

House Bill 2212 is the effort by the Oregon Department of Agriculture to use its structure set up to fight tansy ragwort (pictured) to fight all noxious weeds, while including key national model weed law provisions to ensure we have the best response possible.

OLCV worked with representatives of the Oregon Toxics Alliance, Nature Conservancy, and Oregon Tilth to ensure the integrated weed management approach language in the bill is strong and functional.

The House Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Rural Communities Committee sent the amended bill to the floor on a 6-1 vote yesterday. The full House is scheduled to vote on it within a week.

Countdown to 2009

Countdown to the 2009 Legislative Session that is...

The first day of session is January 12 and we can't wait to get to work.

We'll be working on critical environmental legislation as a member of the Oregon Conservation Network (OCN), a coalition of fifty of Oregon’s leading environmental groups. 

Implement Global Warming Solutions We must take action to reduce global warming pollution, which if left unchecked will lead to increased forest fires, water shortages, and major disruptions to our economy. The Legislature should place a mandatory, declining cap on global warming pollution.

Promote Water Conservation Farmers, fishermen, cities, businesses and local communities all need adequate water supplies to thrive. It’s our responsibility to ensure a legacy of healthy rivers for everyone and everything that depends on them

Preserve Oregon’s Coastal Legacy Global warming, pollution, increasing population, and coastal development are taking a toll – and our ocean’s future health is at risk. The Legislature should create a system of marine protected areas and reserves in Oregon’s Territorial Sea.

Increase Transportation Options As the Oregon Legislature considers new transportation investments, we must make sure to use more efficient land use planning and invest in transportation options. This will reduce the amount of time Oregonians spend in traffic, improve our health, and reduce the amount we spend on gas.

Ensure New Energy Supplies are Responsible Liquefied natural gas (LNG) emits 20-30% more global warming pollution than domestic natural gas. LNG terminals planned for Oregon would mainly send gas to California, which has rejected LNG because of safety and environmental concerns.

Stop the Spread of Invasive Species Oregon must take action to stop the spread of invasive plant, animal, and aquatic species. The Legislature should require boats entering the state be cleaned, to prevent the introduction of invasive snails and mussels into Oregon’s waterways.

Learn more about our Priorities for a Healthy Oregon.

To stay up to date on our priorities and other environmental bills during the session, sign up for SalemWatch, our legislative e-newsletter.

Oregon Invasive Species Council Calls for Statewide Action

Based on a July gathering of more than 150 Oregon experts, the Oregon Invasive Species Council recently sent a report to the Governor's office explaining the challenges of invasive species in Oregon and recommending actions.

The report calls for an emergency rapid response program, public education, and legislative action on border stations to fight quagga mussels, funds to eradicate feral swine, and county weed board funding.

Read the report by clicking on this link: Download finalsummitreport091008.pdf

West Coast Governors Join in Call to Protect Ocean

The Governors of Oregon, Washington, and California recently released a 113-page action plan to protect the Pacific Ocean from oil spills, global warming, declining fish stocks and invasive species. They are asking the federal government for $5 million to help fund action on the plan.

The seven action items:

-Ensuring clean coastal waters and beaches
-Protecting and restoring healthy ocean and coastal habitats
-Promoting the effective implementation of ecosystem-based management of our ocean and coastal resources
-Reducing adverse effects of offshore development
-Increasing ocean awareness and literacy among citizens
-Expanding ocean and coastal scientific information, research and monitoring
-Fostering sustainable economic development throughout our diverse coastal communities.

More info and a copy of the action plan.
Statesman-Journal article on the plan.

The Invasion: 20 Species New to Oregon

At last week's invasive species summit, scientists, agency officials, elected leaders, and environmental activists gathered to discuss Oregon's invasive species problem and what to do about it. Ideas included an emergency fund to deal with outbreaks, similar to a rural fire fund, border check stations to scan boats for mussels, and more funding to eradicate feral swine.

One interesting tidbit: over the past 18 months, agency officials have discovered 20 insect and snail species they've never seen in Oregon, including one that's new to science.

Oregon continues to struggle against invasive plants, animals, and aquatic species that can choke out native species, spread disease, and destroy public infrastructure.

The summit was called by Gov. Ted Kulongoski, and hosted by the Oregon Invasive Species Council.

About the summit.
Salem Statesman-Journal story.
Oregonian story.

Eastern Oregon Ag Could Lose Out to Zebra (Mussles)

Northeastern Oregon's Wallowa Lake is a gem. People travel from all over the state to enjoy the lake -- by hiking, fishing, and relaxing around it.

Wallowa County officials are worried, however, that zebra and quagga mussels could be introduced to the lake, thereby destroying sportfishing, as well as clogging up irrigation pipes across the county. About 38,000 acres of irrigated hay, wheat, and barley fields are at risk.

The solution is to create check stations to examine boats and trailers entering the area for mussles brought from infested waterways, but there isn't currently enough county money to fund such stations. Many fish groups, including Trout Unlimited and the Native Fish Society, members of the Oregon Conservaiton Network, are working to find legislative funding to protect Oregon's waterways from the invaders.

More from The Oregonian.

Can Quagga-Sniffing Dogs Save Billions of Dollars?

Yesterday's New York Times had an article about invasive quagga mussels in the lower Colorado river. From the article:

By stripping nutrients and microorganisms from the water, the mussel could do grave damage to a wide variety of species, including small invertebrates, fish and birds. “This is one bad hombre,” Dr. Fahnenstiel said. “It’s almost your worst-case scenario for affecting the entire food chain...  David Pimentel, a professor of ecology at Cornell and an expert on the economic effects of invasive species, said the maintenance and control costs might run “into the billions, as it has been in the East.”

Read the entire article, which talks about California's quagga-sniffing dogs and has a video of quagga mussels encompassing flip-flops.

Invasive Weeds, Today at Noon

The Salem Statesman-Journal is hosting an online chat today at noon about invasive weeds.

Vern Holm is the Coordinator for the Northwest Weed Management Partnership, an informal multi-agency network of individuals and organizations concerned with rural and urban invasive weed issues in northwestern Oregon and southwestern Washington. He is particularly interested in promoting the early detection and rapid response of invasive weeds. Click below to submit questions in advance.
http://community.statesmanjournal.com/chat/chat.php?id=96

More about invasive weeds in Oregon.

The Silent Invasion

The economic and ecological threat of invasive species is starting to get the attention it deserves.  Hopefully the Oregon Legislature will take significant action to tackle the challenge in 2009.

OPB has a great new documentary out, which is airing tonight.  If you're not phone banking or canvassing for candidates, or attending a fundraiser, I encourage you to watch it.

You can check out this preview.

Quagga good for Scrabble, not Oregon

Dedicated Scrabble players desperate with the Q and too many G's may know the word "Quagga" - an extinct mammal somewhat like a zebra. But average Oregonians may soon learn the word as well.

Tuesday's Portland Tribune has a great story on invasive species, including zebra and quagga mussels, blackberries, and the New Zealand mud snail. The species are smothering and killing trees, poisoning songbirds, choking our waterways, and outcompeting native fish for algae.

They're expensive if not dealt with. For example, the quagga clogged pipes and screens in the water district supplying Southern California, forcing a shut down and $6 million in expenses to fix the problem.

Read the Tribune's story

More on invasives from The Nature Conservancy