The water flowing in streams and percolating in the ground is directly connected to what comes out of your tap. We depend on clean water to support healthy communities, a vibrant economy, and habitat for native fish and wildlife. Water is the fundamental building block that defines our way of life in the Northwest.
But our clean water is at risk.
The EPA recently started the process to repeal the Clean Water Rule, a landmark set of guidelines that strengthened protections for important waterways. Without it, fewer streams, wetlands, and other waters would be protected by the Clean Water Act’s requirement to clean up polluted waters, its pollution control standards for industrial dischargers, its protections against burying streams and wetlands, and numerous other safeguards.
A roll back would mean more pollution to the lakes and streams we rely on for drinking water supply or for fishing and swimming, and a green light for the destruction of wetlands that filter pollution and prevent dangerous flooding.
The directors of Oregon’s natural resource agencies have told EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt that this rule is vitally important to the nation’s ecological and economic wellbeing. People across the country are making their voice heard on this issue, and we need you to raise the chorus.
Oregon is at the precipice of a clean energy revolution. Right now, our state is working to meet its goal of 100% clean energy by 2040. Through this success, Oregon stands to uplift our environment, our communities
Big news for the future of groundwater in Oregon! On September 12, 2024, the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) unanimously voted to adopt updated rules to how the state manages groundwater allocation.
This important milestone has been a long time in the making. OEC — along with other member organizations in the
OEC is excited to introduce our new Community Engagement Manager, Max Light-Pacheco!Since graduating from U.C. Davis (in his home state of California), Max has worked for Americorps, the Nature Conservancy, the Phoenix Zoo, and one•n•ten, a nonprofit serving LGBTQ+ youth in Ari
Read our newest Climate Protection Program blog.Editor’s note: This article was updated on 7/31/2024 to reflect actions by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Last December, the oil and gas industry and their allies
State legislators are hosting a 12-stop statewide listening tour this summer on major transportation issues. We need your voice! Our transportation system should be safer, greener, better maintained, and more affordable for all Oregonians. Your testimony during these public hearings will impact how legislators shape the future of our transportation infrastructure! Your participation will also help OEC deliver stronger climate-smart legislation
By Karen Lewotsky, OEC Water Program Director & Rural Partnerships LeadEditor’s Note: When we first wrote about PFAS in 2020 they were still relatively new in the public consciousness. We knew that these forever chemicals existed, but the extent of their presence – and potential for harm – was still unclear. At the time, we
On May 6, we hosted our 2024 Virtual Legislative Debrief. The conversation featured Oregon Senator Janeen Sollmon. With her insights, we covered a wide range of topics — from last session’s environmental victo
When you think about water in Oregon, you might think about the Rogue River, Pacific Coast or Malheur Lake. However, some of the most important bodies of water in our state aren’t visible to the naked eye: they’re under our feet.
The doors are now closed on this year’s “short,” 35-day legislative session in Oregon. Traditionally, the short session is used to re-balance the budget, tweak existing statutes and wrap-up unfinished business from the long session. However, in recent years the legislature has shifted to taking up one or two major issues, as well. This presents a huge opportunity for advocacy groups like OEC where there are no off years for climate and environmental justi
[…] out of international climate agreements. Cutting funds for programs that keep our drinking water safe. It seems, every week there is a new announcement from Washington, D.C. that signals our […]
Defending Oregon from Federal Attacks | Oregon Environmental Council
January 4, 2019 (6:41 pm)
[…] out of international climate agreements. Cutting funds for programs that keep our drinking water safe. It seems, every week there is a new announcement from Washington, D.C. that signals our […]