The Lincoln County League of Women Voters will hold an open meeting in the McEntee Room at the Newport Public Library on Thursday, October 17, 2019 ,11:30AM - 2:00AM for the express purpose of giving citizens the opportunity to hear from Senator Arnie Roblan and Representative David Gomberg on legislative leadership and how they work with their colleagues, agency representatives and constituents on the challenge of addressing the diverse needs of our coastal communities.
The Newport Times noted that this is a unique opportunity to simultaneously hear from both Lincoln County state legislators. Roblan and Gomberg have been asked by the League to help educate the community on HB 2020, the “Climate Change” legislation that was presented during the 2019 Legislative Session. They will also summarize the 2019 session in general and take questions from those in attendance about any matters of interest to the audience. Read full article here.
|
 Hindsight is 20\20: Changing the Climate of the Carbon Reduction
Conversation (Industry Perspectives)
The Oregon Legislature considered carbon pricing policy to combat the effects of greenhouse gas emissions during the 2019 legislative session. HB 2020 would have established a Climate Policy Office and created the Climate Action Program, a market-based cap and trade policy, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions levels in Oregon. While the bill was supported by a wide coalition that included Nike, Uber, and many others, opponents from farming, manufacturing, dairy farming, the transportation sector, and small-business owners worried about unintended costs, especially lower income communities.
Panel Members Included:
- Moderator: Rep. Caddy McKeown, House District 9
-
Chad Allen, Tillamook Dairy Producer, ODFA Board Chair
-
Laura Anderson, Owner, Local Ocean Seafood
-
Emma Cox, North American Sustainability, McDonalds Corporation
-
Nancy Hamilton, Director, Oregon Business for Climate
-
Bill Kerr, President, United Steelworkers Local 1097, GP Wauna Mill, Pulp & Paperworks Resource Council Member
-
Sandra McDonough, President and CEO, Oregon Business and Industry
-
Macey Wessels, President, Boshart Trucking
-
Mark Wiegardt, Owner, Whiskey Creek Oyster Hatchery
View the link to see panelists' discussions on the potential to promote development of the next generation of clean and energy efficient technologies and how investments of revenue could be structured to create more resilient infrastructure for all Oregonians.
*****
 Challenges and Opportunities in Water Infrastructure: The Foundation
for Economic Development, Ecosystem Health, and Communities
Oregon, and the Oregon Coast in particular, is often considered to have clean and relatively abundant water. However, population dynamics, climate change, and a lack of ongoing investments stress water quality, creating significant water scarcity in the summer and fall seasons and increasing the potential for water infrastructure failures and public health impacts. Oregon’s local economies and communities are increasingly vulnerable to drought, floods, and fires. These
realities place Oregonian’s quality of life, natural resources, and economic future at risk.
- Moderator: Senator Betsy Johnson, CC Vice Chair (D-Scappoose)
Panel Members
-
Senator Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario)
-
Troy Bowers, Executive Vice President, Murraysmith
-
Tom Byler, Director, Oregon Water Resource Department
-
John Huffman, State Director, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development
-
Meta Loftsgaarden, Executive Director, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board
-
Representative Jeff Reardon (D-Portland)
Community Water Conversations
This is a reminder of the upcoming Community Water Conversations that may be taking place in a town near you.
The Governor’s Natural Resources Office and state agencies are working to learn more about Oregon’s water infrastructure needs. This fall and winter, they will be hosting conversations to connect with community leaders and decision-makers to shape the early draft of Oregon’s 100-Year Water Vision.
To foster collaborative discussions, the office and agency staff would like to bring people from every corner of the state into the discussion by hosting Community Conversations and a Technical Workshop this fall. Please forward these opportunities to anyone who is, or should be, a water leader.
Register for a COMMUNITY CONVERSATION
Register for a TECHNICAL WORKSHOP
What It Is:
Each Community Conversation will be a half-day grounding in the Vision’s goal areas (Health, Safety, Environment, and Economy), and a facilitated dialogue to discuss the unique water challenges and opportunities across Oregon’s regions.
Who It’s For:
Local community leaders who have an interest in water, want to learn more about Oregon’s 100-Year Water Vision, and would like to have a hand in shaping the Vision. Examples:
- Irrigation district or nonprofit board member
- Hospital administrator or community health worker
- County, tribal council member, or city planning board member
- Wastewater operator or trainee
- Community college leader
- Or any other community leader!
When & Where:
Space is limited! Register for a Community Conversation
-
Gresham: October 22, 9am-2pm
-
Tillamook: October 23, 12pm-5pm
-
Bend: October 25, 9am-2pm
-
Ontario: October 28, 9am-2pm
-
La Grande: October 29, 9am-2pm
-
Albany: October 30, 9am-2pm
-
Medford/Central Point: November 7, 10am-3pm
- Zoom Virtual Meeting: November 13 and 15, 12pm-2pm
A Technical Workshop will be held in Salem, November 14, 8am-3:00pm. For more information, contact Meta Loftsgaarden, Executive Director, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board at 503-986-0180 or Meta.Loftsgaarden@oregon.gov.
*****
|
|
