Interior Department Moves to Increase Logging on Oregon Land

Oregon is bracing for the revival of a decades-long battle over logging of old-growth timber. The Interior Department recently announced their intention to double the rate of logging on 2.6 million acres of federally owned forests in southwestern Oregon, ignoring the objections of the governor and two federal agencies in charge of protecting the quality of the water in the area.

From The New York Times:

The economies of the timber industry and Oregon’s rural southwestern counties took a major hit when logging on federal lands in the area was cut back by 80 percent under the terms of the Northwest Forest Plan, which took effect about 15 years ago. Representatives of both groups applauded Wednesday’s decision, saying it would revive local mills and timber companies.

But environmental groups condemned the decision and gave notice that they would challenge the plan in federal court. The group Earthjustice called the decision a “massive giveaway at the expense of salmon spawning streams, healthy old-growth forests and habitat for rare birds such as the northern spotted owl and marbled murrelet.”

Oregon Governor Kulongoski warned that such a plan would interfere with any future wilderness designations in the areas around the Rogue River. He advised that harvest increases be phased in slowly due to environmental and public concerns.

There will still be a chance for environmental review and public comment as each tract of land is prepared for sale, a process that takes some time. OPB News reports that the Obama Administration is unlikely to back the plan, giving many hope that it won’t end up becoming reality.

Two conservation groups are suing over the plan. Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics and EarthJustice both say the agency failed to consult federal biologists over the harm that logging might cause to spotted owls and other wildlife protected by the Endangered Species Act.

Link [The New York Times] + [OPB News] + [Seattle Times]
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

Green College Spotlight: Portland State University

Portland State University got attention earlier this year for their laudable efforts in purchasing local food for campus dining services, and it turns out that’s just the beginning as far as sustainability at this Oregon university is concerned.  Portland State works to engage directly in the community to harness the university’s creativity, academic rigor and innovative partnerships in solving the environmental, social and economic problems of our time.

Portland State has long integrated their green efforts into the community, working with businesses and public sector agencies to provide students with a rich understanding of sustainable principles. Academic Sustainability Programs offer abundant choices in the study of sustainability, in both undergraduate and graduate programs as well as graduate certificates and professional education. For example, the theme of sustainability is woven into the curriculum in areas like environmental science, urban planning, business, government and education.

PSU has a Facilities & Planning Sustainability Office that coordinates on-campus efforts to go green. It tracks and reports the school’s progress, helps get the word out about their sustainability goals and makes plans for new services. Along with students, faculty and staff, they’ve achieved a lot already.

Portland State University’s ‘Food for Thought Café’ serves organic coffee and specializes in vegetarian, vegan, and locally produced organic food. Meals are served on reusable dishware, and food scraps are composted. The café also serves as a gathering place for discussions about sustainability and environmental issues.

The PSU Recycles program has grown tremendously over the years, promoting waste reduction and recycling through economic incentives to their waste haulers and processors. The PSU Recycles program also coordinates PSU ReUses, which collects unwanted office supplies and redistributes them to others on campus.

In the southwest corner of Smith Memorial Student Union between Smith and Neuberger Hall you’ll find a cob oven and a ‘dialogue dome’, where students are encouraged to discuss sustainability. They’re the first structures on campus to be made of mostly natural materials, using cob and refurbished local materials. The project features an herb and permaculture garden, a cob oven and a dome shelter with an eco-roof. The cob oven and garden are used for baking by the Food for Thought Café.

Walking around the PSU campus you’ll also see lots of native landscaping designed to conserve water and naturally control stormwater runoff while also providing beauty. There’s also a community garden utilizing land previously occupied by the demolished Adeline Hall, which features close to 70 plots and raised beds full of fruit trees, berries, bamboo and herbs.

PSU’s Epler Hall was Portland’s first mixed-use LEED silver building. It features lots of natural light, natural ventilation, solar shades and energy-efficient lighting.  It also has a rainwater harvesting system featuring rock-filled ‘splash boxes’ that catch water and channel it between brick pavers, passing it through planters for natural filtration before storing it in a large underground storage tank. The water is then treated with UV light before being used in public toilets and irrigation.

Eco-friendly greenhouses, dry gardens, benches made of cob, efficient outdoor lighting, an elaborate rooftop garden at the Native American Student & Community center are just a few more sustainable features at PSU. The campus also features two additional LEED-certified buildings, the silver Broadway Building and the gold Engineering Building. Read all about these features and the rest of PSU’s efforts at the Campus Sustainability self-guided tour (PDF).

Floating House Inspired by Nature

Portland, Oregon-based architect Robert Oshatz created this beautiful, floating home for the Fennel family on the Willamette River. Oshatz is known for his curvaceous, swooping architecture and unique approach to design. Since active construction is prohibited on the Willamette, Oshatz had to construct the home off-site on the connected Columbia River and pull it by barge to its mooring. This unique home is kept afloat by locally sourced 80-foot Douglas fir logs, and the exterior design takes its cue from ocean waves.

I’ve always wanted to live on a houseboat. It seems like it would be so relaxing, enjoying the gentle sway of the houseboat as it’s rocked by waves. Sigh.

Link [Environmental Graffiti]

Green Bicyclists and Filmmakers’ Gear Stolen During Stop in Eugene, OR

Andy Davis and Melissa Henige had planned to make Eugene, Oregon a key stop on their cross-country bicycle trip, having heard that it was a great bike town. Excited about the trip and the sustainable documentary they were making, the couple never thought that soon after stopping at The Beanery coffeehouse they’d be updating their blog with the words, “Dear thief who stole my gear…”

From The Register Guard:

Sometime between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Saturday, someone snipped the cable locking the engaged couple’s bicycles and Burley Design trailers and made off with Henige’s red, white and blue Trek 1000 touring bike and the trailer.

Inside the trailer was all their camping gear, including their tent, her sleeping bag, personal belongings, food, checkbook and all her clothes. And their business cards — thus the “Dear Thief” blog written by Henige on their Web site, www.changinggearsmovie.com. The cards list the Web site, so Henige thought there would be a good chance the thief might read it.

“Little did you know when you stole my bike and gear that you would disrupt an incredible journey across the country … As you read through our blog, you’ll see the amazing people who have helped us on this adventure, and maybe their wisdom, ingenuity, and warmth may inspire you to work for a better world as well.”

The couple was supposed to be continuing down the coast to San Francisco, where they plan to exchange pre-wedding vows in the Muir woods. They’re still heading down there, but it’ll be on a Greyhound – they shipped Davis’ bike back to their home in Indiana.

What a buzzkill. We hope they get their gear back!

See the couple talk about their experience on the video at The Register Guard.

Link [The Register Guard]