| Environmental Justice Task Force |
|
|
 |
| Oregonians have a voice in environmental policy decisions |
|
|
|
Governor signs Senate Bill 420
|
Senate Bill 420 created Environmental Justice Task Force
Senate Bill 420 calls for environmental justice in Oregon by ensuring that all persons affected by decisions of natural resource agencies have a voice in those decisions. At the same time, the bill set up a task force to advise the Governor and natural resource agencies on environmental justice issues.
The advisory body consists of 12 members (see roster at the end of this page) and is staffed by Governor Kulongoski’s office. Read EJTF's first annual report to the Governor detailing the progress of natural resource agencies toward achieving the environmental justice goals outlined in Senate Bill 420.
|
| Make your voice heard! |
|
What is Environmental Justice? How can you participate in decisions that affect you?
Environmental Justice Defined: Environmental justice is equal protection from environmental and health hazards, and meaningful public participation in decisions that affect the environment in which people live, work, learn, practice spirituality and play. "Environmental justice communities" include minority and low-income communities, tribal communities, and other communities traditionally underrepresented in public processes.
Purpose of the Environmental Justice Task Force: When state agencies make decisions that affect our environment it is critical that low-income and minority populations are not disproportionately affected. The Environmental Justice Task Force (EJTF) was created by the Legislature to help protect Oregonians from disproportionate environmental impacts on minority and low-income populations. The EJTF encourages state agencies to give all people knowledge and access to improve decisions that affect environment and the health of all Oregonians.
Make Your Voice Heard: Offer your voice in decisions made by state agencies. The EJTF encourages you to take action when you feel impacted by one or more issues listed below.
Your voice for Environmental Justice
- You have a voice in decisions that affect potable drinking water and clean air.
- You have a voice in decisions that may put toxic pollutants in your living and working areas.
- You have a voice in decisions about toxics in schools that affect your kids.
- You have a voice in decisions that affect your community's health, such as land use decisions that could increase pollution in your neighborhood.
- You have a voice in asking for caution in environmental decisions that affect your community, even if absolute proof of the problem is not yet confirmed.
- You have a voice in clean and healthy access to your native cultural places and usual and accustomed fishing sites.
- You have a voice in decisions that will increase climate change and impact your community, such as increased flooding, drought and fires, and impacts to species, habitats or local foods.
- You have a voice in all decisions about toxics in food, water, air, soil and homes.
- You have a voice in any issue of concern regarding environmental issues that affect your home, work, or place of worship.
How to be heard:
Send an email to jessica.hamilton@state.or.us or call 503-986-6543 if you want access to decision-makers to discuss the issue you care about further. Also, the EJTF meets quarterly with opportunity for public comment and the next meeting is listed on this web page (see next section).
|
| EJ Task Force Meetings are Open to the Public |
|
Next Meeting: Friday, October 23, 2009 - Corvallis
Meetings of the Environmental Justice Task Force are open to the public. The next meeting will be held Friday, October 23, Noon to 5pm. Members of the public who would like to listen to the discussion may do so in the following ways:
1) Dial 1.888.380.9638
Code 936193
2) Council Room
Memorial Union
Oregon State University
Corvallis
If you need any assistance in order to participate, please contact Grace Roth in the Governor's Office, 503-986-6530.
Minutes of past EJTF meetings
April 24, 2009
January 16, 2009
October 24, 2008
|
| Environmental Justice Task Force Members |
|
Please note: Task Force members' affiliation is listed for identification purposes only, except for the four commission representatives
Robin Collin, Chair (Salem) – Willamette University
Khalid Wahab, Vice-Chair (Portland) – The Commission on Asian Affairs
Sybil Ackerman (Portland) – Executive Director of Lazar Foundation
Will Collin (Salem) – Willamette University
Ben Duncan (Portland) – Multnomah County Health Department
Terry Witt (Salem) – Oregonians for Food and Shelter
Jack Johnson (Cove) – Resident of Union County
Jonathon Ostar (Portland) – Organizing People-Activating Leaders
Julie Samples (Hillsboro) – Oregon Law Center Farmworker Program
Everette Rice (Portland) – The Commission on Black Affairs
Ray Caballero (Portland) – The Commission on Hispanic Affairs
Leroy Jackson (Klamath Falls) – The Commission on Indian Services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
