AGENDA

Surfrider Foundation Portland Chapter Monthly Meeting

12 September 2006

www.Surfrider.org/portland

portland@surfrider.org

Introductions: What’s your name?  What’s your favorite thing about autumn?  Those in attendance: Liz Crosson, Vicotira Ten Broeck, Crosby Bromley, Graeme Sandell, Michelle Grabiel, Shane Cheatham, Kelley Silon, Kyle Silon, Andy Stone, Andy Bartley, Andi, Melissa, John, David, Me, You, Pete, Gabby Richards, Christie Martin, Traci Anderson, Kristi Rothenbucher, and Mike Albers.

Updates

1.      Treasury Report: David Blackmon: We have $ 5083.45 currently in our account

2.      Ocean Policy Update: Pete Stauffer:
GEORGIA PACIFIC: The campaign for a stronger wastewater permit for the Georgia Pacific Pulp and Paper Mill in Toledo continues (outfall is off Nye Beach). On Aug 1st, the Newport Chapter voted to file a Petition of Reconsideration with DEQ to present formal legal and scientific arguments for the agency to reconsider the terms of the July 14 issued permit. This represents the last administrative option for Surfrider to advocate for improved monitoring and additional pollution prevention technology implementation. Thank you to the nearly dozen members of Surfrider's Oregon Environmental Issues Team (scientists, attorneys, permit aficionados, etc) who are volunteering their personal time to help pull this document together under a 60 day deadline. Also, major thanks to CRAG and NEDC for providing pro bono support to make this happen. You all ROCK!
OPAC IN BROOKINGS: On Friday, Aug 25th, the Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) will meet in Brookings from 9am - 5pm at the Best Western Beachfront Inn.  Convened by Governor Ted Kulongoski, the OPAC will be discussing the National Marine Sanctuary proposal, Marine Reserves, and Oregon's Recurrent Hypoxic Zone. It's important for Surfrider members to participate at each meeting. The OPAC is accepting public comments from 11:30 a.m. to noon and again from 4:00 p.m. to 5 p.m. A full agenda for the day is available at the OPAC website. Please take advantage of this opportunity to speak out so we can help ensure a healthy ocean for all Oregonians.
LNG IN COOS BAY? Residents in the Coos Bay area are currently grappling with a proposal to establish a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal in North Bend. Under the proposal a terminal for large ships would be established in Jordan Cove, as well as a 30-mile pipeline to Klamath Falls. As part of the permitting process, an application is being prepared for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Despite extensive testimony and inquiries at recent public forums, the Coos County Board of Commissioners and North Bend City Council have thus far refrained from taking a position on the issue. Concerns expressed by the public have included environmental, safety, aesthetics, etc. Stay tuned for more info.
DEAD ZONE: The most severe low-oxygen ocean conditions ever observed on the West Coast of the U.S. have turned parts of Oregon's Ocean into a "dead zone", a new survey shows. According to researchers at Oregon State, this is by far the worst such event since the phenomenon was first identified in 2002. Levels of dissolved oxygen are approaching zero in some locations, functioning to suffocate marine life on a massive scale.  The cause of the "dead zone" is believed to be strong upwelling winds, which have allowed a low-oxygen pool of deep water to build up near shore. The exact geographic scope of the problem is unknown, but this year for the first time it has also been observed in waters off the Washington coast as well as Oregon. Researchers from OSU, PISCO and state and federal agencies are working to develop a better understanding of how these dead zone events can occur on a local basis. For more info: http://www.piscoweb.org/research/oceanography/hypoxia

BLUE WATER TASK FORCE IN WEST LINN: The point while Pete was talking about BWTF at West Linn was that the state stops testing at a number of sites during the rainy season when we have run-off. BWTF volunteer opportunities include getting the word out when our testing shows unacceptable bacteria levels.

NEWPORT CHAPTER FILES PETITION: Newport Chapter filed a Petition of Reconsideration with DEQ over the terms of the NPDES wastewater permit of the Georgia Pacific Pulp and Paper Mill in Toledo. The primary outfall of the mill is off Nye Beach in Newport. Other groups that signed on as petitioners included the Northwest Environmental Defense Center, Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition, Friends of Yaquina Bay, and Lincoln County Citizens for Clean Water. The Petition presents formal legal and scientific arguments for the agency to reconsider the terms of the July 14 issued permit. This represents the last administrative option for Surfrider to advocate for improved monitoring and additional pollution prevention technology. The campaign has been a true grassroots efforts. Thank you to the nearly dozen members of Surfrider's Oregon Environmental Issues Team (scientists, attorneys, etc) who have volunteered their personal time for this campaign. Also, major thanks to CRAG for providing pro bono support to make this happen. Stay tuned for a response from DEQ.

3.      Current Projects