Activity Report Explorer

Cascade Volcanoes • Entered by Laurie Kerr on March 19, 2020

Cascade Volcanoes Broadband Meeting

March 10, 2020

Key Issue: Multiple apply
Activity Type: Broadband Meeting (prep, implementation & follow up)
Key Partners: Columbia RiverKeeper

Short Description of Activity

Cascade Volcanoes Broadband Meeting minutes 3-10-2020
ATTENDEES: Laurie Kerr, Doran Burrell, Lorena Herron, Carol Raphael, Felice Kelly, Shelley Morrison, Darlene Chirman, Susan Saul, Lu Pinson, Jane Wilcox, Judy Todd, Ellen Leatham, Peg Baker, Joana Kirchhoff, Jane Heisler, Pamela Smith
SPEAKER: Kate Murphy, Community Organizer for Columbia Riverkeeper, presented information on the impact of fossil fuels on the Columbia River. She informed us about the organization, which aims to protect and restore water quality in the Columbia River. There are over 16,000 members and supporters. The organization supports keeping fossil fuels in the ground, engaging communities, saving salmon, and participates in water quality monitoring. There are 5 attorneys in the Portland office.
Riverkeeper filed a federal lawsuit challenging a proposal for the world’s largest fracked gas-to-methanol refinery in Kalama, WA. If successful, the lawsuit will cancel thee project’s federal permits and subsidies.
Riverkeeper is also in the process of contacting the city of Portland and ODEQ to investigate Zenith’s expansion and halt additional approvals for the Portland project. Kate further discussed the Tar Sands Rail proposal and the risks it poses to public health and safety.
In Arlington, OR., Chemical Waste Management illegally accepted and buried over 1,294 tons of radioactive fracking waste just five miles from the Columbia River. Some of the shipments were over 300 times above Oregon’s standard. Riverkeeper’s team acted to fix loopholes at the Oregon Legislature and presented a legal argument for why Oregon must hold the company accountable.
In Hood River, OR., Kate briefly summarized the toxic waste dump on Bradford Island on the Columbia River. Riverkeeper also supports the dam removal on the LSR.
ADVOCACY: Jordan Cove Event: Felice reported that the Patagonia event on March 19 may be cancelled due to coronavirus alerts. In that case, we may offer the speakers on a webinar via Zoom and the dinner with the speakers would be cancelled.
Mt. Hood NRA, Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers: The Mt. Hood National Recreation Area working group is seeking buy-in from businesses. The bill is written and may be introduced soon, but there’s a lot of discussion on the conservation parts of the bill, and concern that it may be weakened without additional demonstrations of support.
Forest Fire Bills in Oregon: Two bills were introduced during the session to fund massive forest thinning projects and ostensibly reduce wildfire risk. One bill, 1536, was considerably more broad than the other, 1514. After lobbying from the Broads and other groups, 1514 and 1536 were combined, but with the more restricted thinning of 1514, which should be an improvement. Of course, after that the session ended without passing either bill! So the combo bill may be passed if there is an emergency session.
Forest Waters Protection Act: After the timber companies and some environmental groups signed a Memo of Understanding, both groups stopped gathering signatures. However, the aerial spray restrictions did not pass during the legislative session, so now we will need to figure out what happens next. A return to signature gathering seems unlikely, especially in the COVID-19 era.
Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act: Felice also mentioned the issues with the Malheur bill being that Broads have concerns about the management of lands by ranchers rather than environmentalists. The Bitterbrush Broads met with Wyden and discussed the fact that Broads could not support the bill as written for that reason.
Clark County Advocacy Issues Susan mentioned that there was no new news regarding the proposed road across the Pumice Plain by the FS. Nor was there any news regarding the Ascot Mining Exploratory Drilling, even though, they had been issued a permit for doing so. Cascade Forest Conservancy met with Wild Rivers to determine if we wanted to have the Green River designated as Wild and Scenic. The plastic bag bill in Washington has passed both houses and is up for Gov. Inslee to sign. He is expected to sign it. The Clean Fuels bill is stalled in the senate.
Healthy Habitat/Healthy Orca bill is Dead on Arrival. The Clean Air act is stalled. Washington Wolves report that one female wolf has been killed by a vehicle in an accident. There is some support for transporting wolves from the east side of the state to the west side. The Washington Wolf Report is available online. Laurie shared the progress on the Hantwick Trail. Several adjacent parcels of land have been selected as comparable parcels; however, since their values were not equitable to the parcel to be harvested, these adjacent parcels were not deemed potential sites for trades. Consequently, we are looking at doing more fundraising in the community for this purpose.
EDUCATION:
Laurie discussed the CES grant that leaders were planning with nothing concrete at this time.
Lu presented a very detailed account of the Citizen Climate Lobby Conference in Vancouver.
Laurie mentioned that a possible film showing/tabling event for “Dammed to Extinction” is planned. Event details will be posted on google group.
STEWARDSHIP:
Laurie shared that the solitude monitoring grant was planned for submission. Teams would hike in groups of 2 in the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness areas. 70sessions are currently planned with spots for 2 people each. More information will be shared next meeting and on the Stewardship Google group.
Susan discussed the WTA May 2 Women’s Half Day Project at Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge. Sign ups are online at: https://www.wta.org/volunteer/schedule/workparty/a2m2K000009FjMm/register?g=a3D2K000002lKyf.
The Tree Planting at Steigerwald National Wildlife Refuge is full.
Beaver surveys and more! This is a campout with CFC to monitor beaver habitat sites. We will be camping at Iron Creek Campground June 17 – 20. We will be learning more about the Pumice Plain/Ascot Mining/Green River campaigns as well as enjoying hikes and camping together! Sign-ups coming soon! For more information, contact Laurie.
TABLING:
Jane is organizing a tabling event at Tualatin Wildlife Refuge May 16 (10am- 4pm). We need volunteers for this event. Participating is very easy and a great opportunity for new members to learn about our organization!
FUN:
Barb is cancelling the snowshoe event for March 19 as it conflicts with the Patagonia event.
Annual campout is set for September 10-13 at Atkinson Group Camp near Trout Lake. Our next campout planning meeting is set for Wednesday, March 25. Contact Laurie if you would like to help plan this fun event!
Darlene Chirman has organized a tour and planting opportunity for Earth Day, April 22 at Leach Botanical Gardens from 9am – 11am. Please plan on bringing gloves, boots, layers, and snacks for this fun event. RSVP to Darlene darlene.chirman@gmail.com.
Minutes submitted by Laurie Kerr
3/12/2020

Reflection/Evaluation

We had a good turnout, considering the virus outbreak. Kate handed out newsletters and info about how we can advocate for campaigns involving RiverKeepers. We had 2 new members attend, as well. Everyone helped to set up chairs and tables beforehand, too. The new venue at Kennedy School at McMenamins is a much larger space and we can also have alcohol, which is good. Sadly, we have canceled our April meeting and, most likely, our May meeting as well due to the coronavirus.

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