Oregon Attorney General Kroger: "If you support tougher environmental crimes enforcement in Oregon there are three things you can do to help: " 04/22/09
Dear friends,
As Attorney General of Oregon I am proud to serve a state that has always been a leader in protecting the environment. Even though we are a national leader, we face serious challenges. From the Willamette to the Malheur, every major river in Oregon fails federal and state water quality standards for at least one pollutant. Toxic concentrations in Portland’s air exceed federal standards.
In recognition of Earth Day, the Oregon Department of Justice is reenergizing our commitment to protecting Oregon’s environment. In partnership with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) we are launching an online tip form for citizens to report an environmental crime.
Right now, we do not have the legal tools we need to crack down on environmental crimes. For example, we do not have a single environmental crimes prosecutor anywhere in state government. To me, that is unacceptable.
That’s why I propose the creation of an Environmental Crimes Enforcement Unit at the Oregon Department of Justice. This unit will partner with the Department of Environmental Quality to hold polluters accountable for the damage they cause to our air, our water, our land and our health.
If you support tougher environmental crimes enforcement in Oregon there are three things you can do to help:
1. Attend a public hearing (see schedule below). The Joint Committee on Ways and Means will be holding a series of public hearings in different communities in Oregon to take public input on state budget decisions. We want our supporters to demonstrate, in person, the importance of funding environmental enforcement. If we can count on you to attend a public hearing near you, please respond to this email and let us know.
2. Contact your legislator and let them know that funding for environmental crimes enforcement is important to you. Passing both House Bill 5022 and Senate Bill 797 would allow for a small amount of seed money to start the environmental crimes enforcement unit and allow for it to eventually become partially self-funding.
3. Join our Environmental Action Group. In the next four years there will come a time when we need your help. Whether it's attending a rally, writing a letter to the editor or just staying informed we encourage you to join our efforts. Forward this email to your friends and encourage them to get involved too!
I hope you that you value protecting our environment as much as I do. Together we can keep Oregon beautiful.
Sincerely,
John R. Kroger
Attorney General of Oregon
PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULE
Thursday, April 23 - Salem
Oregon State Capitol
Hearing Room F
900 Court Street NE
Salem
5:30 to 8 p.m.
Including Hood River via video link
Saturday, April 25 - Pendleton
Pendleton Oregon National Guard Armory
2100 N.W. 56th Drive
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Saturday, April 25 - Ontario
Ontario Treasure Valley Community College
650 College Boulevard
3 to 5 p.m.
Wednesday, April 29 - Bend
Central Oregon Community College, Bend
Cascades Hall Room 117
5:30 to 8 p.m.
Thursday, April 30 - Ashland
Southern Oregon University, Ashland
Rogue River Room
Stevenson Union
1250 Siskiyou Boulevard
5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday, May 1 - Eugene
University of Oregon, Eugene
Prince Lucien Campbell Hall (PLC 180)
1415 Kincaid Street
1 to 4 p.m.