20 results for tag: water

Mid-Session Update: Tracking the Flow of Our Water Bills

We’re officially past the halfway point in this legislative session. After dozens of meetings with legislators, and hundreds of Oregonians contacting their representatives to speak up for the issues that matter most, this is a key moment when the fate of our bills – and the thousands of other bills that have been submitted – is determined.    Oregon’s 83rd Legislature must wrap up by June 29, 2025. However, there are also deadlines that bills must meet if they are to advance and become law. April 9 was one such deadline. Let’s break down where we are in the legislative timeline: Bills start their lives in one of two chambers: either ...

PFAS AKA “Forever Chemicals”

The Story of PFAS PFAS (Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) or ‘forever chemicals’ are a class of over 15,000 toxic chemicals. Members of this chemical class feature the strongest chemical bond known to organic chemistry- the carbon fluorine bond. This incredible chemical bond leads to properties like not reacting with other substances- including an ability to repel grease, oil, and water. In this story, chemical manufacturers wanted to give their products these properties, such as jackets that didn’t get wet, refrigerants that didn’t corrode copper pipes, and frying pans that eggs didn’t stick to. PFAS chemicals were added to pizza ...

Make Your Voice Heard for the Future of Oregon Groundwater!

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. Almost 90% of our state’s public water systems rely at least in part on groundwater ecosystems. Snow and rain collect into aquifers made of underground layers of sand, fractured rocks and other permeable materials, forming the groundwater so crucial to Oregon communities. Right now, big changes are on the horizon for Oregon groundwater. You can help protect this vital resource for all Oregonians. Submit written public ...

Water Justice, a Shared Vision for the Future

For World Water Day 2023, we affirm our commitment to water justice and elevate the Oregon Water Justice Framework, recently released by the Oregon Water Futures Project, a collaboration between water and environmental justice interests, Indigenous peoples, communities of color, low-income communities, and academic institutions. Oregon Environmental Council is proud to be a member of the Oregon Water Futures Project. Clean water is foundational to every aspect of our lives. Yet in Oregon, far too many people struggle every day to have their water needs met. We must continue to work to promote improved water quality, protect natural resources, and ...

New Water Justice Report: A Launching Point for Research and Policy Development 

It should go without saying that clean water is foundational to every aspect of our lives. But the reality is that there are far too many people in Oregon who struggle to have their water needs met every day. For some it’s poor water quality, for others, it’s lack of access to water, unaffordable water costs, or diminished natural resources.  These water justice challenges are highlighted in a new report that builds on our work in the Oregon Water Futures Collaborative and expands the base of evidence demonstrating how frontline communities are impacted by Oregon’s water challenges. Click the four arrows in the bottom right corner below to ...

EVs Are Not Just for Urban Commuters

The transition from gas to electric vehicles is now well underway. From electric cars, trucks, and busses, to e-bikes, e-scooters, and personal wheeled devices of all kinds, there are more and more electric options for getting around town. This transition is exciting to see because it’s essential to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and battling climate change.  But what if “town” isn’t where you’re trying to get around? There are more electric vehicle (EV) models introduced all the time, but many people still have questions about whether an EV makes sense for the everyday needs of Oregon’s rural and agricultural communities which ...

Oregon Sets New Goals for Carbon Sequestration

Natural and Working Lands Proposal Healthy forests, waters, and agricultural lands are vital to Oregon’s economy, culture, and way of life. These natural and working lands often come to mind as vital resources in need of protection from climate impacts, but they are also an essential part of the climate solution. The science is clear: in order to avoid climate catastrophe, we must radically transform the way we use our land — from how we grow our food to how we manage our forests. Recognizing this need, Governor Brown directed the Oregon Global Warming Commission to work in concert with our state natural resource agencies to develop and ...

Hold The Salt: Options For Keeping Your Sidewalk Ice-Free

Winter weather in Oregon can be unpredictable. With this latest cold snap, it is time to start thinking about how we combat snow/ice on our sidewalks and driveways. The cost of so much salt Salt is used in many parts of the country because it lowers the freezing temperature of water and therefore can help accelerate the melting process of snow and ice. However, after it’s spread on roads or sidewalks, all of that salt has to go somewhere, and most of it washes into the storm sewer and gets deposited into the nearest river.  There, it can harm freshwater fish, frogs and other wildlife that aren’t acclimated to salty water, and can reduce ...

“Clean water = humanity”

Bringing people together to dance, celebrate Oregon, and start a conversation about clean water

Restoring Hamilton Creek: The Soltaus’ Story

As early spring blooms pop open and a great blue heron takes off across the water, Glen Soltau walks the trails on his property along Hamilton Creek outside of Lebanon, Ore. When Glen and his wife, Leslie, bought the property in 1992, Hamilton Creek was overrun with invasive blackberries, some growing as tall as 10-12 feet high, and cows walked in the streambed disrupting fish habitat and eroding the banks. Now rows of native willow, dogwood and elderberry have replaced the blackberries. Indian plum provides an early season nectar source for hummingbirds. Beavers build seasonal dams that increase the area for Glen and Leslie to paddle their kayaks. ...