By Adam Wlaters, Stoel Rives LLP, Attorneys at Law In November 2009 the Washington State Building Code Council (“WSBCC”) approved amendments to the Washington State Residential Energy Code imposing additional energy efficiency requirements for newly permitted homes.  The controversial changes, found in Chapter 9 of the new Code, are scheduled […]

Dave Dietz, JD Salem writer, We have heard much recently about the oil well break in the Gulf.   And, no doubt about it, harm will be a consequence of this effort to access and gain oil. Still, most of this harm can be relatively temporary, even passing. The broken well […]

Natural Resource Report News Note: Oregon’s new stricter field burning ban goes into effect this summer.  Last year 50,000 acres were burned and this year it will be down to 15,000 acres for certain areas. The state had to deny over 3,500 acres of burn requests due to the new […]

State Legislation Requires New Strategies for Greenhouse Gas Reduction By Kelly S. Hossaini Miller Nash Oregon Law Firm In its 2010 special session, the Oregon Legislature passed SB 1059, which directs the Oregon Department of Transportation (“ODOT”) and the Department of Land Conservation and Development (“DLCD”) to, among other things, […]

Gulf Oil Spill Another Reason to Support Biodiesel By Lynne Finnerty American Farm Bureau Federation Do you run your car on soybeans? You could if it has a diesel engine. Doing so would help make us more energy-independent and would be better for our environment. We’re used to hearing about […]

Murkowski Resolution Fails to Make it Through Senate Floor By National Association of Wheat Growers A disapproval resolution introduced by Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) failed to move forward in the Senate on Thursday after hours of long-anticipated debate on the merits of greenhouse gas regulation.  Murkowski’s resolution would have negated […]

Greg Walden responds to flooding, organizes high-level briefing on damage, asks Forest Service for speedy road repair. From Congressman Greg Walden WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) today urged the U.S. Forest Service to take speedy action to repair and re-open the Wallowa Mountain Loop Road, which was washed […]

By American Forest Resource Council Supreme Court Injunction Case On April 27, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument in Monsanto Co. v. Geertson Seed Farms, a case which could affect how the courts in the Ninth Circuit treat requests for permanent injunctive relief in National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) […]

Klamath farmers face ‘worrisome’ water situation By Christine Souza, Assistant Editor California Farm Bureau Federation, Farmers in the Klamath Water Project say they’re apprehensive about getting through this year’s growing season. Farmers in the region along the California-Oregon border learned that they would likely only receive 30 percent to 40 […]

ODA pilot program helps mitigate Phytophthora from nurseries Oregon Department of Agriculture The final verdict is not in, but a pilot project started in 2007 directing Oregon nursery growers to proactively reduce the fungus that causes sudden oak death appears to be somewhat successful. The Grower Assisted Inspection Program (GAIP) […]