heatherroberts
Oregon Lawmakers Look At Pushing Pause Button On Factory Farms
A proposed bill in Salem would impose a moratorium on new mega farms in Oregon. Lawmakers are considering two amendments to either pause new licensing of all factory farms for eight years, or only the largest poultry farms for two years. Lucy Go...
Oregon Looking At Using Machine For Pile Burns
Pile burning, and the smoke it produces, could soon be a thing of the past in Oregon. Via a pilot project, the Bureau of Land Management is testing the CharBoss Air Curtain Incinerator to burn the debris left behind from hazard tree logging efforts.
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Oregon’s Ag Labor Legislation Returns To The House
A bill supporters claim will fix Oregon's farm worker overtime law has cleared the state Senate. But, opponents say the measure doesn’t mitigate the risk to the state’s farming community.
House Bill 4002 cleared the state legislature last year, mandating overtime for ag workers, and creating a host of problems for producers. The new bill introduced ...
While Many Don’t Like Changing Clocks, A Plan Forward Isn’t Clear
As we prepare to “spring forward” this weekend, a bipartisan bill in the U.S. Senate looks to stop the twice-yearly time change. Oregon’s Ron Wyden recently reintroduced the Sunshine Protection Act, which would keep Daylight Saving Time year-round. But fellow Oregon Democra...
USFS Preparing For Wildfire Season
It may be cold with snow on the ground, but the U.S. Forest Service is already looking to the fire season ahead. Oregon’s ongoing drought, more frequent heatwaves and less rain and snow, mean longer and more intense fire seasons.
“The h...
Drought Emergencies Declared In Central Oregon
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has declared drought emergencies for Crook and Jefferson counties in the central portion of the state. That now directs agencies to prioritize assistance to the region. Both counties requested the declaration in January...
Could Hunting, Fishing Become Constitutional Rights In Oregon?
The Oregon Legislature is considering whether to put a measure on the ballot asking voters if hunting and fishing should be a constitutional right. Currently, signatures are being gathered for an initiative that would ban fishing and hunting. Amy Pat...
Water Year Ends On Dry Note In Oregon
Despite the spring rains we saw across much of the Pacific Northwest, drought conditions continue for much of Central and Eastern Oregon. The water year officially ended in July, and Larry O’Neill, with the Oregon Climate Office, says conditions didn’t improve much in the last two months.
“The average...