Clackson Newsletter
April 2010
May General Meeting and Unit Meetings
WATER IN OREGON - NOT A DROP TO WASTE
During the LWVOR's state convention in 2008, members considered a recommendation to restudy two positions on water: Water Policy and Planning, adopted January 1977, revised March 1985, and Water Quality, adopted January 1969. Members determined that water quality and water quantity could and should not be separated. They decided to combine the two reports into one position on Water Resources, authorizing a two and half year restudy and requesting a report in a year and a final report at the end of that period.
Part I was published last year and Part II was published in March. With the reports finished, the League will now be taking consensus. For a Part I update and helpful information for LWVCC, State Water member, Marnie Lonsdale will present a Power Point Presentation on May 12th at the Oswego Point Club House. Consensus will be taken at Unit Meetings from May 18 to 22.
Members are strongly encouraged to reread Part I of the Water Study along with Part II to help prepare for the consensus questions. Both parts are available on line at http://www.lwvor.org/recentstudies.htm. Members should have received printed copies of Part II in recent weeks. If you need a hard copy of Part I, Sylvia Smith (503-639-4272) has a limited number of copies.
May 12th 1:00 P.M. General Meeting with Power Point Presentation
The Club House at Oswego Point
5050 Foothills Drive, Lake Oswego.
Directions: State Street to Foothills Road; follow Foothills Rd. to 3-way stop; keep right; go downhill to left-turn lane; turn left onto Foothills Drive; building straight ahead is The Club House.
May 18th--22nd Unit Meetings: Consensus
See the calendar for details.
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
MAY; A VERY BUSY MONTH!
Sherry Finnigan, Executive Committee Member
Hard to believe it is May - one of the League’s busiest months. There are many events happening but probably the most important is the LWVOR Water Study that our League will be doing this month. This is a study that ends in consensus - the consensus questions are included with this newsletter along with pointers to help you identify areas in the study publications that will help you answer the questions. This is an important study. The state League has been working on it for two years and has produced two excellent publications. You should have received Part 2 – Issues and Perspectives - by mail in the last week. The first part – Regulating Water in Oregon – was sent in early 2009 and is available online. To help understand this enormous subject, Marnie Lonsdale, a state board member and study committee co-chair, will present a power point presentation to us on May 12, prior to the next week’s units where consensus will be taken. We know we are asking you to attend two meetings but the more information you have, the better and more educated our consensus will be. Please plan to attend both meetings. You won’t be sorry.
May also brings annual meetings and conventions or councils. On the weekend of May 15 Lyn Gordon and Karan Kuntz will be our delegates to the LWVOR council in Bend. Heather Drake will also be participating. June brings the LWVUS convention in Atlanta, GA. – Cheryl Smith and Karan Kuntz will be our delegates. On May 25 our local board will have its Old/New board meeting to transfer portfolios to the newly elected members.
Regrettably, on April 19, the LWV Columbia River Region InterLeague Organization was dissolved by a vote at its 16th biennial convention. Begun in 1980, this level of League needed more volunteers than could be found. While there was sadness at this loss, Portland LWV President, Betsy Pratt remarked that the LWVCRR board should consider the job well done and that it was time to move on.
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UPCOMING PLANT SALE!
The league plant sale is scheduled for the day before our patio party - Friday, June 4th - in the yard of Sylvia Smith at 5133 Timbergrove in Lake Oswego. Hours are 9 am to 3 pm. League members will be sellers and cashiers. We will have split shifts of 9 am to noon and noon to 3 pm. Call Sylvia Smith at 503-639-4272 if you would like to help. We can take small plants, large plants and planted containers. Be creative! Bring them to Sylvia's house and she will keep them watered. No pre-sale and the public are invited. |
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CLACKAMAS COMMISSIONERS’ CORNER
Pam Ashland
The Commissioners attended a national conference of Commissioners in March.
Work sessions have been limited. The following is a brief synopsis of the presentations.
The Department of Transportation and Development presented their recommendations for increased fees for land use, engineering, and survey permits, plus building codes.
The County will apply for a grant to improve and/or add broadband services in rural areas. The grants will be issued by the Broadband Technology Opportunity Program.
A request for funds by the Government Camp Cultural Center and Museum was made. The recommendation was for a $50,000 no interest loan.
The County will apply through FEMA for an Emergency Management Performance Grant.
PATIO PARTY, JUNE 5
The year-end party for League (the Patio Party) is always interesting. Good food is guaranteed and we honor our members with membership awards. This year the party is on June 5 at 11:45 at the Condolea Clubhouse in Lake Oswego. (Directions are below). Members are asked to bring a salad or a dessert. You will have ample opportunities to sign up as reservations will be taken at the Annual Meeting, the May 12 Water Study meeting and at unit meetings. Or you can call Sylvia Smith at 503-639-4272 or Sherry Finnigan at 503-636-5468 to put your name on the list. Membership chair, Sylvia Smith promises special award for our members. And, if the sun shines, we might actually convene on a patio!
Our speaker this year will be Tom Coffee, former Planning Director for Lake Oswego and Tigard and now currently working for the City of West Linn on matters regarding the Stafford Basin. Our League has a strong position in favor of keeping the Stafford area outside the Urban Growth Boundary, a position shared by Tualatin, West Linn and Lake Oswego. Mr. Coffee has been attending Metro and county meetings this winter and spring regarding this subject and will tell us all we need to know!
Directions to Condolea Townhomes:
From downtown Lake Oswego (Highway 43): Follow “A” Avenue west, to Country Club Road, to Boones Ferry Road (Lake Oswego High is on your right just before the intersection). Get in the right lane and turn right on to Boones Ferry. Turn left at first light on to Monroe Parkway. Travel .3 mile and turn right at Gate 2 Entrance to Condolea. Gate 2 will be facing you and the street name is S. Condolea Drive. Guest parking is to the left and right on S. Condolea Drive. Enter Gate 2 and follow the pathway to the Club House.
From the South (Kruse Way): Follow Boones Ferry north. Turn left at light on to Monroe Parkway. Follow directions above to S. Condolea Drive.
WANT TO TAKE A RIDE WITH THE LWVCC RIDERS CLUB?
IF you do, mark your calendar for Wednesday, May 26, and join the ride. Riders Club trips are a safe and supported introduction to public transportation guided by a “Ride Ambassador”. Each Riders Club is made up of 3 to 15 people and can be scheduled anytime public transportation is in service. And, it’s FREE!
Our trip will begin at the LO Transit Center (Safeway) at 9:15 AM where we will board a #78 bus and travel to the Beaverton Transit Center (TC). Once at the Beaverton TC we board the MAX Red Line to the Multnomah Co. Central Library. From there it’s a short walk to SW 11th and Taylor to board the Portland Streetcar to the South Waterfront. Then it’s a ride on the Portland Aerial Tram. And, still we aren’t finished. The last leg is a short walk to SW Moody and Whitaker to board the #35 bus back to Lake Oswego for a 1:30 PM lunch at Gusto Bistro. (Note: riders are responsible for the cost of their lunch.)
IS THE STREETCAR COMING?
What do you think about the Lake Oswego to Portland Transit Project?
- Keep the Highway 43 link to Portland the way it is?
- Enhance bus service?
- Build a streetcar to travel between the two cities?
The Lake Oswego Adult Community Center has been asked to host two meetings on the project’s alternatives, both at the center 5th and G Avenue.
Wednesday, May 5th – 11 am to Noon
Thursday, May 20th – 6 pm to 7pm
Project partners are Lake Oswego, Clackamas County, Portland, Multnomah County, and Portland Streetcar Inc.
METRO’s public involvement manager, who is working with the partners, says it is important for the project to hear from local residents on the three alternatives – enhanced bus, streetcar and no-build – of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).
Information at each meeting will include project timeline, opportunities for public participation and comment, and how people can express their views.
Since decisions on this project will be made by governing bodies of the project partners, the LWVCC Board thinks it is a topic for thought by League members and encourages attendance at one of the May meetings. Official action by the project partners is scheduled for the fall.
WATER IN OREGON -- NOT A DROP TO WASTE
Part 1: Regulating Water in Oregon, Part 2 Issues and Perspectives
During the LWVOR’s state convention in 2008, members considered a recommendation to restudy two positions on water: Water Policy and Planning, adopted January 1977 and revised March 1985, and Water Quality, adopted January 1969. During the discussion of these two separate position papers, members determined that water quality and water quantity could and should not be separated. They decided to combine the two reports into one position on Water Resources and authorized a two and half year restudy and requested a report in a year and a final report at the end of that period.
The first report, entitled Water In Oregon – Not a Drop to Waste, Part 1: Regulating Water in Oregon was published last year and it reviewed the water laws for our state. Based on that understanding of water regulation, the study committee interviewed Oregon stakeholders to determine the current realities in water resources and its conclusions are published in this current report, Water in Oregon - Not a Drop to Waste; Part 2: Issues and Perspectives 2010.Achieving Consensus
Reaching consensus is much like taking a temperature -- doesthe discussion of the consensus questions indicate strong, moderate, or little support for any of the proposed answers. What the League is seeking is strong agreement on the issues so that a member agreement committee can establish statements from which Leagues can take action and give testimony.
While members do not take a vote on the answers, they do need to determie if there are little or no objections and a general feeling of agreement with their proposed answers. The role of the discussion leader and the recorder are crucial. The recorder needs to accurately capture the discussion, ad the leader summarizes the points agreed on to be recorded. Discussion leaders need to encourage all members to contribute to the conversation.
The discussion group is not writig the final wording for the position, but rather giving the consensus, or the agreement of the group, on the various questions posed. Think of the word "significant" in assessing member agreement. The state LWVOR member agreement committee will look at all answers and create a position statement that summarizes the significant agreement of all the members. The goal of this process is a credible position statement that the LEague can use for advocacy and visibility for many years.
Outline of the Reports:
Part I Regulating Water in Oregon
Introduction – page 3
Looking at Oregon’s Waters – page 3
Regulating Water Quantity – page 3
Regulating Surface Waters – page 5
Regulating Ground Water – page 11
Measuring available Water – page 13
Regulating Water Use for Hydroelectric Power – page 13
Regulating Water Movement or Sale Out of State – page 14
Regulating Water Quality – page 15
Monitoring Water Quality – page 16
Addressing Pollution Sources – page 19
Current activities – page 30
A Snapshot in Time – Page 32
Part 2: Issues and Perspectives
How Water is Managed – page 4
The Use of Data – page 7
Specific Challenges for Water – page 8
Addressing Water Rights – page 8
Addressing Future Water Demand – page 10
Addressing Stream Flow – page 11
Addressing Groundwater Contamination and Loss – page 12
Addressing Temperature – page 15
Preventing Point Source Pollution – page 15
Preventing Nonpoint Source Pollution – page 17
Addressing Total Maximum Daily Loads – page 19
Addressing Trace Pollutants – page 20
Addressing Land use and Planning for Water – page 21
Addressing Climate Change – page 22
Steps to Protect and Conserve Oregon’s Waters - page 23
Agriculture – Water Conservation and Protection – page 23
Industry and Commerce – Water Conservation and Protection – page 26
Municipal – Water Conservation and Protection – page 28
Forestry – Water Conservation and Protection – page 31
Putting the Public into the Water Discussion – page 33
Integrated Water Resource Strategy – page 34
Summary – page 35
Consensus Questions
A. Management Structure
1. There are 11 state agencies with water management responsibilities (Water in Oregon—Not a Drop to Waste, Part 2 Table 1, detailed discussion of responsibilities by task in Water in Oregon—Not a Drop to Waste Part 1), each with its own mission and expertise, interacting with local and federal government and special districts. What actions would you support to improve decision-making by connecting water quality and water quantity issues with each other and with land use decisions? Check all that apply.
__ Better communication and cooperation between agencies?
__ Conformity in definitions among agencies, such as definition of “beneficial uses”?
__ Coordination in the prioritization of water uses/regulations among agencies?
__ Consolidation of governmental structures for policymaking and/or enforcement?
__ Clarification and strengthening of the role of local or regional land use planning in the water management process?
__ Other actions? Please describe:
2. When comparing our current statewide model with possible alternatives for managing water protection and conservation, which of the following do you prefer? (If applicable, how should these alternative models relate to the multiple political structures within their boundaries?)
__ Our current statewide approach
__ Basin management
__ Watershed management
__ Management based on water or soil types
__ Management directed by specific pollutants
__ Local government management
__ Other? Please describe.
B. Tracking Information and Regulating Use
3. Oregon has limited scientific data on water resources, uses and purity, which impacts the ability of agencies to make informed decisions about water quantity and quality. Is a comprehensive inventory of all water resources necessary to understand availability of water quantity and quality to meet future needs/demands, or is a more limited approach based upon specific criteria adequate? If the latter, what criteria should be used?
Should currently exempt domestic wells be required to obtain a permit? Why or why not?
Should water monitoring/measurement be required by all permit holders and users, or should it be limited according to some criteria? If the latter, what criteria should be considered?
What types of data should water monitoring/measurement collect? Check all that apply.
__ How much is used
__ Who is using it
__ The purpose of the use
__ Water purity as compared to standards
__ The time period/date
__ Other? (Please describe.)
After installation, when/how often should septic systems be required to be inspected?
4. While the current LWVOR Water Quality Position supports the need for water quality standards in Oregon, it does not prescribe how state standards should be determined. What should be the basis for such standards? Check all that apply.
__ Promote/foster public health and safety
__ Cost
__ Need to maintain beneficial uses
__ Other (Please describe.)?
5. Climate change could lead to less snowfall and more erratic rainfall. Population growth will increase demands for water supply. What options should the state use/encourage to address future water needs/demands? Check all that apply.
__Address each situation individually __Changes in land use regulation
__Green construction/landscaping __Rationing
__Increased conservation __Use of greywater
__Increased water storage __Other (Please describe.)
6. If water conservation is to become a significant part of water quality and quantity management, do you have a preference in favor of an approach based upon:
__ Incentives (such as selling saved water to other users or reduced rates for lower consumption), or
__ Regulations (such as limiting water use for lawns, requiring water saving toilets, shower heads, etc.)?
What other approaches should be considered in promoting water conservation (specific incentives/regulations targeting categories of users (agriculture, industry, municipal use, domestic )?
Please describe:
C. Communication and Public Input
7. The League believes that informed citizens have an important role to play in governmental decisions. How and when should members of the public be included in water management and planning processes? Please describe.
D. Funding
8. Currently, users pay for their water delivery system, but the water itself is free. League positions note that “all water users must share in the costs of water management”. Should “users” include state and local government as well as individual and corporate users?
Please indicate on the chart below how the costs associated with water capture, storage and delivery should be funded. Also indicate the sources of funding you support to cover present and future costs associated with planning, research, data acquisition, regulation and enforcement and any other program(s) you describe. Additional comments are welcome.
Since water is a public resource, how should funding of water management and delivery be achieved for: Check methods that apply
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Rate Payers |
Permit fees |
Charge by volume of water (beyond delivery charges) |
Tiered Rate System |
State Taxes |
Local taxes |
Special taxes |
Planning -current and future demand |
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Research |
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Data collection |
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Infrastructure, maintenance and delivery |
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Public Outreach |
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Conservation |
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Regulation and enforcement |
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Other |
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ACTION IN APRIL
On April 21 the League again reiterated our position from 1993 to oppose including the Stafford area in the Urban Growth Boundary. We do not believe that the criteria for including the area in the reserves have been met.
We also responded to a call to action from LWVUS regarding legislation on Global Warming that will soon be before Congress. We urged support for strong climate change legislation to cap greenhouse gas emissions.
ADDITIONS TO MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY
New National Members |
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Mr. and Mrs. Barry Anderson Myron Cropsey |
Mary Hughes Sharon Webb |
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Directory Changes |
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May 2010 Calendar
Saturday, May 1 -- Annual Meeting – 1:30 – 4:30 pm, Lake Oswego Heritage House, 398 Tenth Street (corner of A Avenue), Lake Oswego.
Wednesday, May 12 – General Meeting: Water Study Presentation --1:00 pm, The Club House at Oswego Point, 5050 Foothills Drive, Lake Oswego. Directions: State Street to Foothills Road; follow Foothills Rd. to 3-way stop; keep right; go downhill to left-turn lane; turn left onto Foothills Drive; building straight ahead is The Club House.
Saturday, May 15 & Sunday, May 16 – LWVOR Council, Bend Oregon
Tuesday, May 18 – Primary Election Day
May Unit Meetings: Water Study Consensus
Tuesday, May 18 – 9:15 am, Home of Ardis Stevenson, Unit Leader: Betty Barber (503-675-0594).
Wednesday, May 19 – 10:30 am, Chapel Room, Terrace Building, 8605 SE Causey, near Clackamas Town Center. Unit Leaders: Jeanne Pulliam (503-594-2539) or Lenora Young (503-594-2321.
Wednesday, May 19 -- 7:00 PM. Mary’s Woods, 17400 SW Holy Names Dr., Lake Oswego, Unit Leader: Jean Hoffman (503-697-0833) for details.
Thursday, May 20 -- 9:15 am. Home of Sylvia Smith, , Unit Leaders: Sherry Finnigan (503-636-5468) and Belinda Wilson (503-636-9339)
Friday, May 21 -- 9:30 AM. Willamette View, Plaza Building, Mt. Jefferson Room, 12795 SE River Road, Milwaukie, Unit Leader: June Routson (503-786-3856).
Saturday, May 22 -- 10:00 am, WyEast Book Shoppe, 67195 E. Hwy. 26. Unit Leader: Nancy Dougherty (503-622-4789)
Tuesday, May– Joint Board Meeting – Time and location to be arranged.
June 2010 Calendar
Friday, June 4 –Plant Sale – 9:00 am to 3:00 pm -- Home of Sylvia Smith,
Saturday, June 5 – Patio Party -- 11:45 am, Condolea Clubhouse, South Condolea Drive, Lake Oswego.
Saturday, June 11 to Tuesday, June 15 – LWV National Convention, Atlanta, Georgia.
Thank You Corporate Affiliates!
Lake Oswego
Accessories from the heart | 1171 McVey Ave.
Backyard Bird Shop, Inc. | 16949 S.W. 65th Ave. &
8960 SE Sunnyside Road, Clackamas
Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce | 242 B Ave
Lake Oswego Review/West Linn Tidings | 400 Second Street
Mary’s Woods at Marylhurst | 17400 Holy Names Dr.
Otak, Inc. | 17355 SW Boones Ferry Rd.
Sandy
Sandy Funeral Home | 39551 Pleasant St.
Strand Tea Company | PO Box 580
Synergy Consulting Inc. | 729 NE Oregon St., Suite 125, Portland
Welches
Wy’east Book Shoppe and Art Gallery | 67195 E US Highway 26
West Linn
Words Count – Editing & Writing | 2555 Dillow Drive
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