| Governor's Oregon Principles Budget 2005-2007 |
|
|
 |
| Livability and the Environment |
|
What else is the Governor doing to contribute to this principle?
“New Park per Year” Program
Oregon currently ranks 2nd nationally in the number of visitors per acre of parkland. An Oregon Tourism Commission Study in 2002 indicated that state parks contribute $541 million a year to Oregon´s economy through expenditures by campers and day visitors. In May 2004, the Governor launched his new state park a year, ten-year initiative in conjunction with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. The Governor is committed to balancing the parks to include both heritage parks and recreation parks, so that Oregon’s environmental stewardship includes both cultural and natural resources. In June 2004, the Governor broke ground at Hares Canyon State Park, the first new park under the program and the first new state park in Oregon in more than three decades.
Clean Diesel Initiative
The Governor designated two Oregon Solutions Projects in 2004 to assess and develop idling reduction and other diesel emission reduction efforts in truckstops along the I-5 corridor. The project has secured millions of dollars in commitment for new technologies at three I-5 truck stops as pilot efforts, with plans to install the technology in 600 parking spaces at truck stops in Oregon. The technologies provide alternate sources of energy to power rigs while they are at rest in truck stops. By “electrifying” 600 truck stop parking spaces along I-5, truck drivers will see a net savings of $1.8 million per year in reduced fuel costs and reduced wear and tear. It will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 33,000 tons per year and reduce carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and particulate matter by over 852 tons per year, which translates to public health and environmental benefits of at least $6.6 million per year.
Willamette River Initiative
The Willamette River is one of Oregon’s key environmental resource, providing fish and wildlife habitat. As a “working river,” the Willamette is also the lifeblood of the valley economy, supporting businesses, industries and communities. Finally, the Willamette contributes to the quality of life that Oregonians enjoy. In his State of the State speech in March 2004, the Governor pledged to do whatever it takes to clean up the Willamette River
Progress to date includes:
In April 2004, the Governor secured federal money to begin cleaning up pollution from century-old riverside mercury mines.
- The Governor formally established the Willamette River Water Trail. The water trail is a paddling trail from Corvallis to Newberg that connects dozens of state and county greenway parcels where paddlers can rest, picnic, or camp. In September 2004, he announced a successful public-private partnership with Columbia Sportswear and G.I. Joes in order to launch the development of the first leg of the trail, to be completed by Memorial Day 2005.
- The Governor successfully sought $12 million from the federal government to cleanup the McCormick and Baxter Superfund site in the Portland Harbor.
- The Governor currently chairs the Willamette River Cleanup Authority, which will facilitate and review cleanup of the larger Portland Harbor Superfund site.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
