President’s Message: A Holiday Wish
It’s that time of year. The winter holidays are rapidly approaching. So, it’s time to be thinking about what we might wish for. There are the obvious asks: an end to the pandemic, world peace, and prosperity for all.
But I’m making a further reach this year. And reaching out further for help. Santa Claus. Easter Bunny. Tooth Fairy. I’m covering my bets by invoking them all. I’m serious this year.
It’s a simple wish. I want to the Governor’s office to make an announcement. I want to hear that the Governor has issued a mandate to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) to start unequivocally enforcing Oregon’s environmental laws. No more excusing polluters of air or water. No more secret agreements made behind closed doors that favor industry and political patrons. No more foot dragging on enforcement.
Oregon’s environmental regulations are designed to protect people, as well as fish and wildlife. Every time those regulations are ignored, somebody or something suffers.
In the case of the lower Deschutes River, giving Portland General Electric (PGE) a pass on complying with license and permit requirements results in compromising 100-miles of an idyllic Wild and Scenic River. We’re now beyond even discussing if, as PGE argues, the harms are minimal and necessary in order to make it possible to have a few migratory fish planted above the Pelton-Round Butte (PRB) Hydroelectric Complex. The harms are real and the trade-off for a paltry number of reintroduction fish is inappropriate at best.
ODEQ has not only turned a blind eye on the water quality exceedances that surface water draw at Round Butte Dam has created, but acceded year after year to PGE’s pleas for special dispensation from state enforcement of rigorous water quality limits. The state must demand that PGE meet its fundamental obligations and requirements: Compliance with the PRB Project’s water quality requirements and a far-more effective fish reintroduction program.
In March of 2019, Rob Davis of The Oregonian/O-live.com, published a four-part investigative series called, “Polluted by Money.” Both Davis and The Oregonian have received numerous prestigious national awards for the work that went into the story. You can find the series here:
https://projects.oregonlive.com/polluted-by-money/
“Polluted by Money” tells a tawdry tale of how campaign contributions to Oregon politicians have led to influencing what polluters of Oregon’s environment can get away with. The major leverage they employ is this: if ODEQ acts like a regulator, ODEQ’s budget will be cut. The end result, in Davis’ words is that, “An expansive review of internal documents and dozens of interviews with current and former environmental regulators, lobbyists, advocates and lawmakers reveals that pressure tactics have instilled a deep culture of deference at the Department of Environmental Quality.”
Oregon Ballot Measure 107 passed in the last election with 78% of the vote. Under it the governor and legislature may and should impose campaign spending limits and mandate transparency in disclosing identities of donors. Good thing.
But the Governor need not await new legislation to stand up to campaign contributors – she should take charge and defend Oregon’s air and water now. Governor Brown should compel ODEQ to do its job and coddle polluters no longer -- even (or especially) when their permit fees comprise a share of the agency’s budget.
In Davis’ reporting he quotes a former applicant for the Director position at ODEQ. Craig Johnston is a former attorney at the Environmental Protection Agency and a professor of law at Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College. Johnston says, “People think this is ecotopia. But the political climate in Oregon is that it just doesn’t take environmental mandates very seriously.”
Back to my Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Festivus, and Winter Solstice wish. The Governor should join an informed citizenry to step up and reclaim Oregon, as intended by former governor Tom McCall, by ensuring the strict enforcement of our bedrock environmental laws.
-Greg McMillan, Board President, Deschutes River Alliance
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