We envision a society where everyone has equitable access to healthy food and clean air and water, and underserved communities are included in decision making processes that affect them. Together, we move beyond the damaging environmental practices of the past and collectively work to support and maintain ecological resilience and balance.
UPDATE!
Thanks to your incredible support and persistent pressure, the Eugene City Council has withdrawn the zoning decision for the Trainsong biofuel transfer station! This is a huge win for our community and proof that when we raise our voices together, the City Council listens. While the fight isn't over yet, this victory shows we’re on the path to protecting Trainsong from this hazardous project.
Please let your City Councilor and Mayor Vinis know that you appreciate their willingness to listen to the public and to recognize that Eugene can do better! Eugene can exercise its authority to protect our local pollution burdened communities from corporate targeting and exploitation. Eugene can be a model of environmental justice for all!
NEXT STEP: TAKE ACTION TODAY!
Thank you for standing strong with us! The power of grassroots organizing - and speaking truth to power - is key to change!
Find out about the CRUCIAL STEPS you can take TODAY to contact City of Eugene leaders for the Justice for Trainsong campaign!
Send in a FAST Response form to Eugene's Mayor and City Councilors
NEWS:
Eugene halts biofuel facility proposal amid community concerns
Hannarose McGuinness, Eugene Register-Guard, Oct. 24, 2024
Eugene withdraws approval for a new fuel-transfer facility in Trainsong by Nathan Wilk, KLCC
October 18, 2024
FALL 2024 UPDATE
The City of Eugene is holding public meetings to share the latest design for the Golden Gardens Park Sports Complex and Neighborhood Park. The public is asked to give input on the latest design for the 223-acre park and sports complex which includes 14 sports fields, a 124-acre natural area with protections for turtles and native species, a trail system and a 12-acre neighborhood park. Community concerns include inadequate protection for Western Pond Turtle, plastic grass/artificial turf playing fields, sports field lighting, and over 700 paved parking spaces, deterioration of wetland ecosystems and water quality.
TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT GOLDEN GARDENS TODAY!
Here are a few ways you can get involved:
1) Join us for one of the upcoming meetings and make your voice heard. Public input can significantly improve the proposed design. Tell City Parks and Open Space to protect our communities from overuse of Eugene’s unique natural ecosystems, to protect wildlife and keep plastic grass/artificial turf out of our public parks and playing fields.
Sign up to attend one of the upcoming community meetings:
NEXT MEETING: Thursday, Nov 21, 2024 Virtual Public Meeting
12 - 1 PM, via Zoom:
REGISTER (required)
2) Write to Eugene Parks & Open Space representatives on the Golden Gardens Committee
Mark Kosmos: mkosmos@eugene-or.gov
Carolyn Burke: cburke@eugene-or.gov
See our talking points to help craft your message.
NOTE: When communicating with the City of Eugene officials, please be polite and include your Eugene address in your communication.
Reworld Marion, formerly Covanta Marion waste incinerator in Brooks, Oregon.
NEWS:
Reworld to close Oregon facility, further limiting West Coast incinerator presence By Jacob Wallace, Editor, WasteDive (Oct. 16, 2024)
Brooks incinerator to end waste services. What that could mean for garbage rates by Tracy Loew, Salem Statesman Journal (Oct. 11, 2024)
GREAT NEWS!
Oregon’s Waste Incinerator, Reworld Marion, is closing
The facility failed to adhere to emissions monitoring regulations set forth by the 2023 Oregon Legislature and is shuttering its remaining West Coast facilities.
After advocating for stronger Oregon regulations for waste incinerators, Beyond Toxics has learned that Reworld Marion, formerly known as Covanta Marion, will end waste incineration operations as of December 31, 2024. The international corporation stated in communications to Marion County it will turn its attention to “new business opportunities … in North America.”
The corporation’s announcement follows the passage of SB 488, a 2023 environmental health bill introduced by Sen. Deb Patterson of District 10 where the incinerator is located. The bill required regular emissions sampling and reporting of hazardous dioxins, furans, heavy metals and particulate matter pollution from the incinerator. Prior to the bill, Reworld instead conducted one annual pollution stack test.
“Over the past two years, Reworld has repeatedly failed to adhere to air pollution regulations passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2023,” said Lisa Arkin, Executive Director of Beyond Toxics. “We don’t doubt that Reworld would rather close this facility than confess to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and the communities downwind of their operations, the true concentration of the air pollution they spread throughout the mid-Willamette Valley.”
Read the full press release (PDF)
In The News
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