Environmental Justice Task Force Forum

Rising seas due to climate change will swamp coastal lands.\Photo by Jens Andersen.

The state’s body investigating the impacts of environmental harm to various communities in meeting on the Oregon coast for the first time.  The Environmental Justice Task Force is a means of delivering a message to state government, all the way up to the Governor.  On Thursday, Sept. 7, 6-8 p.m., the task force will hold a public forum at Newport Recreation Center (225 S.E. Avery St.).

The Environmental Justice Task Force (EJTF) was created by the legislature to help protect Oregonians from disproportionate environmental impacts on rural, minority and low-income populations. The EJTF works with state agencies to give all people knowledge and access to improve decisions that affect environment and the health of all Oregonians.

Among topics that may be covered:

• Aerial spray in rural communities from forest activities on public and private land. Best to focus on the ODF spraying since the Task Force deals with state agencies.
• Drinking water contamination concerns
• Work place toxic exposure (mills, farms, forests, hotels, etc.)
• Fossil fuel infrastructure (LNG, etc.)
• Air Pollution and Water Pollution of all kinds

Underlying it all is the looming impact of climate change, which likewise is likely to fall hardest on certain vulnerable communities.

For information about the Environmental Justice Task Force or to be added to the Interested Parties email list, please send your request to: EJ.TaskForce@oregon.gov