AGP Executive Report

Ocean Monitoring Cuts: The Trump administration is dismantling the Ocean Observatories Initiative, removing more than 900 ocean instruments, including sites off Oregon, as scientists warn the timing is especially bad with a strong El Niño expected. Wildlife & Climate News: After a massive sea star die-off, a biologist reports a surprising “baby boom” of juveniles on Oregon’s coast, though warming and disease risks remain. Ballot Fight Over Hunting/Fishing: Oregon’s PEACE Act petition (Initiative Petition 28) has surged toward the November ballot, aiming to ban hunting, fishing, trapping, and conventional livestock farming, with supporters citing animal welfare and opponents warning it would upend Oregon’s wildlife management. Local Fire Mitigation: Shasta College in California is using a herd of about 600 goats to reduce wildfire fuel on campus—an approach officials say cuts greenhouse gases versus heavy machinery. Restoration on the McKenzie: A new, unprecedented restoration approach is taking shape on Oregon’s McKenzie River.

Ocean Monitoring Fight: The Trump administration is dismantling the Ocean Observatories Initiative, removing more than 900 deep-sea instruments that track ocean heat, carbon uptake, currents, and coastal flooding risk—starting with sites off Oregon—just as scientists warn the timing could not be worse for understanding climate impacts and an expected El Niño. Ballot Measure Watch: A new Oregon initiative would criminalize hunting, fishing, and trapping, framing them as animal abuse; supporters say it’s about ethics, while hunters and anglers see it as a direct threat to long-standing outdoor traditions. PFAS Crackdown: Oregon is among states tightening rules on “forever chemicals,” with new disclosure and restriction laws taking effect as PFAS scrutiny grows nationwide. Local Budget Pressure: Springfield approved a new 0.1% payroll tax on employers and workers starting as early as January 2027 to close a budget gap, though it won’t restore library services cut earlier. Wildlife & Habitat: The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde began major construction at tumwata village, a mixed-use redevelopment at Willamette Falls aimed at restoring shoreline access and cultural connection. Road Safety: Speed cameras in Sherwood caught more than 1,000 speeding drivers in two weeks, highlighting ongoing public safety concerns on Southwest Oregon Street. In Memoriam: Former Oregon U.S. Sen. Bob Packwood died at 93, remembered for environmental and social stances but overshadowed by a major sexual misconduct scandal that ended his Senate career.

Ballot Fight in Oregon: A proposed initiative would criminalize hunting, fishing, and trapping in Oregon, with signature drive and campaign energy split between urban anti-hunting groups and rural anglers and hunters. Columbia River Fishing: Washington added spring Chinook retention days on the Columbia River, with updated return estimates and specific daily limits and release rules. Ocean Monitoring Under Threat: The Trump administration is dismantling the $368 million Ocean Observatories Initiative, including instruments off Oregon and the Atlantic, raising alarms about losing key climate and ocean data. PFAS Crackdown: A state-by-state push to regulate “forever chemicals” is accelerating, with Oregon among states moving toward new disclosure and restriction rules. Data Centers vs. Climate Goals: Reports say Northwest utilities are turning to gas to power data centers, risking missed emissions-reduction targets. Local Conservation & Wildlife: Oregon State Police is launching a conservation K-9 naming contest for a new dog to help investigate poaching and assist searches. Portland Public Safety: A debate over police staffing and 911 response failures highlights how budget gaps are reshaping city services. Wildfire Preparedness: A roundup of fire-resistant landscaping plants points to practical ways to reduce home ignition risk. Wildlife Health: Gray whales are struggling in a warming Arctic, with malnourishment linked to broader climate pressures.

Ocean Monitoring Under Fire: The Trump administration is moving to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative, with plans to remove more than 900 deep-sea instruments—an effort that would cut off long-running data on ocean conditions off Oregon and the broader Pacific and Atlantic. Energy & Climate Accountability: New reports say Northwest utilities in Oregon and Washington are increasingly turning to gas to power booming data center demand, risking missed emission-reduction targets and more pressure on climate rules. Local Conservation & Community: The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde has started major construction at tumwata village, a mixed-use redevelopment at Willamette Falls aimed at restoring shoreline access and supporting housing, commerce, and cultural tourism. Wildlife & Public Interest: Oregon State Police is launching a new Fish and Wildlife Conservation K-9 team and asking kids ages 9–17 to help name the puppy. Parks Funding Push: An Environment Oregon advocate visited Wallowa County to urge new, ongoing funding for Oregon state parks amid large deferred maintenance needs. Portland Public Safety Debate: A Portland editorial argues the city’s 911 response crisis is driven by chronic staffing shortages and warns against further Police Bureau cuts.

Ocean Monitoring Cuts: Trump administration moves to dismantle a major ocean monitoring system, raising alarms that fewer sensors will weaken climate and weather forecasting and reduce long-term tracking of ocean conditions. Data Centers & Gas Demand: New reports say Northwest utilities are turning to gas to power data centers, risking missed emission targets as some projects seek backup generators or justify skirting climate rules. Wildfire Smoke & Fertility: A new study recruits wildland firefighters to test how wildfire smoke affects semen and fertility, pushing for better protections for workers and nearby communities. Portland Climate Funds Clash: Portland councilors debate whether to use climate money to help fund a Moda Center upgrade, with skepticism that voters intended the Portland Clean Energy Fund for an arena. State Parks Funding Push: Environment Oregon’s Justin Boyles urges a new, steady funding option for Oregon state parks after $345 million in deferred maintenance grows. Cascadia Preparedness: Agencies held a DSCA senior leadership seminar at PDX to coordinate response planning for a potential Cascadia Subduction Zone event. Local Conservation: Oregon State Police launches a Fish and Wildlife Conservation K-9 program expansion, asking kids to help name a new puppy. Housing & Land Use: Tualatin approves Norwood Townhomes in Basalt Creek, part of Oregon’s push for “missing middle” housing.

Ocean Monitoring Cuts: The Trump administration is moving to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative, including 900 deep-sea sensors used to track El Niño and other ocean changes—raising alarms about weaker climate forecasting and less protection for fisheries and coastal communities. Wildlife & Health: In Oregon, residents are seeking answers after multiple raptors died near Bend, with concerns about poisons like rodenticides; elsewhere, new reporting links Parkinson’s disease risk to pesticide exposure, putting farmworkers and nearby communities in the Rio Grande Valley on alert. Water & Fire in Central Oregon: Warm Springs officials issued and then downgraded evacuation orders during a vegetation fire, while a pump failure triggered a mandatory water conservation order for Simnasho and Schoolie Flat. Outdoor Access: Oregon’s Free Fishing Weekend and free state-park day-use kick off summer, with ODFW also offering free fishing events statewide. Conservation Policy: Oregon’s hunting and fishing ban initiative is moving closer to the ballot, with opponents warning it would upend animal-related livelihoods. Preparedness: Leaders from Portland-area agencies met to coordinate Cascadia Subduction Zone response planning.

Outdoor Access & Invasive Species: Oregon’s “Let Us Paddle” campaign is pushing a ballot bid to roll back new permit requirements for paddleboards and kayaks under HB 2982, which raised fees and expanded coverage to smaller, non-motorized vessels to fund quagga and zebra mussel prevention. Wildfire Readiness: Wallowa County heard from U.S. Forest Service leaders that dry conditions mean a busy fire season, with fuel breaks, road work, and public hearings underway for the Blue Mountains Forest Plan revision. Salmon Season Updates: Oregon and Washington anglers are seeing shifting rules and bag limits for summer salmon and steelhead, including a Willamette River two-rod rule through late July and updated downstream Columbia regulations. Wildlife & Community Conservation: Oregon Zoo welcomed rare red panda Enoki, and Oregon State Police launched a youth naming contest for a new Fish and Wildlife Conservation K-9. Climate & Data Centers: New reporting says Northwest utilities are increasingly turning to gas to power data centers, raising concerns about missing emissions targets. Policy Fight Over Hunting/Fishing: A proposed Oregon ballot measure tied to the PEACE Act claims enough signatures to qualify, aiming to remove animal-cruelty exemptions that currently cover hunting, fishing, and farming.

Ocean Monitoring Cuts: The National Science Foundation plans to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative, including instruments off the Oregon coast, pulling hundreds of sensors that track currents, marine ecosystems, and climate signals. State Environment Enforcement: Oregon lawmakers are urging DEQ to pause $3.2 million in civil fines against Pacific Seafood while the company appeals, arguing the requirements are too strict for current technology. Wildfire Outlook: Federal forecasts warn big wildfires could arrive early across the West, with above-normal fire potential in June and lingering risk into summer. Local Climate Policy: Bend City Council moved forward with a fee on natural gas appliances in new construction, aiming to cut carbon emissions while opponents question grid capacity and the policy’s expertise. Central Oregon Land & Wildlife Stewardship: Central Oregon LandWatch marks its roots in a 1980s timber fight and continues guiding land-use decisions to protect wildlife, forests, rivers, and farms. Community & Nature Education: Students in Clatskanie are learning seafood butchery through a program linking Oregon classrooms with locally caught fish, building workforce skills and local food connections.

Ocean Monitoring Cuts: The Trump administration is dismantling the Ocean Observatories Initiative, pulling hundreds of deep-sea sensors from waters off Oregon and elsewhere—meaning key long-term climate and marine data streams will go dark even as some past data remains online. Wildlife Health Watch: Researchers warn that emaciated grey whales washing up along the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia may signal a wider unusual mortality event tied to stressors like pollutants. Forest Resilience in Southern Oregon: The BLM is seeking public input on a Jackson County plan to salvage dead and dying trees and thin fuels in the Applegate and Lake Creek areas to reduce wildfire risk. Malheur Restoration Deal: The Malheur National Forest signed a 20-year stewardship agreement with Iron Triangle LLC to restore landscapes, reduce wildfire risk, and support local jobs through forest products. Local Conservation & Community: Portland Community College is expanding preschool access via Multnomah County’s Preschool for All, adding nature-based seats and new infant-toddler classrooms. Education Fundraiser: Bend students collected 400+ used sneakers to keep shoes out of landfills and raise money for The Environmental Center.

Ocean Monitoring Under Attack: The Trump administration is dismantling the $368 million Ocean Observatories Initiative, pulling hundreds of instruments from waters off Oregon and elsewhere—an abrupt loss of real-time data scientists use to track currents, ecosystems, and climate signals. Legal Pushback on Climate Science: A coalition led by California AG Rob Bonta urged the Federal Judicial Center to reverse its move to remove climate science guidance from a judicial manual, arguing judges still need accurate science. Offshore Wind in the Courts: New York and other states sued over a Trump-era deal paying TotalEnergies nearly $1 billion to cancel offshore wind leases—critics call it a “pay-not-to-play” scheme that undermines climate and jobs. Oregon Coastal Industry Pressure: Oregon lawmakers asked DEQ to pause $3.2 million in wastewater fines against Pacific Seafood while the company appeals, warning penalties could threaten the coastal seafood economy. Wildlife & Outdoor Impacts: Spring chinook fishing on the Snake River in Hells Canyon ends early June 3 due to low returns; meanwhile, Yamhill County warned residents about bear sightings near Newberg and urged safe practices. Ballot Fight Over Animal Use: Initiative Petition 28 to expand Oregon’s animal cruelty law—potentially targeting hunting, fishing, and livestock practices—has cleared a major signature milestone toward the November ballot.

Ocean Monitoring in Jeopardy: Scientists say a key part of the Ocean Observatories Initiative will be pulled off the Oregon coast June 16, as the Trump administration dismantles a $386 million network of 900+ sensors—raising fears of lost long-term climate and marine data. Legal Pushback on Fossil-Fuel Policy: The 9th Circuit rejected a lawsuit by young Americans seeking to block Trump executive orders aimed at expanding fossil fuels, saying the alleged harms were too loosely tied to the orders. Offshore Wind Fight: Maine joined New York and other states in a lawsuit challenging a Trump deal that would pay TotalEnergies to abandon offshore wind off New York and invest in fossil fuels instead. Oregon Coast Industry Pressure: Oregon lawmakers are urging DEQ to pause steep civil fines against Pacific Seafood while the company appeals, arguing the rules are unusually burdensome. Central Oregon Water & Wildlife: USDA expanded Farm Bill funding for private-land big-game migration corridors to include Oregon, and Oregon drought response continues as farmers are told to set up Login.gov for disaster access. Local Climate-Energy Moves: Avangrid completed its Tower Solar project in Morrow County and connected it to the grid. Community & Housing: RootedHomes celebrated 23 net-zero, permanently affordable homes in Redmond.

Public Lands & Recreation: Central Oregon riders should plan around temporary closures June 5–7 on parts of the Millican Plateau and North Millican OHV trail systems for a side-by-side race, though many other routes in the Millican Valley network remain open. Wildlife Protection: A three-year legal fight is pushing the Crater Lake newt (Mazama newt) toward possible Endangered Species Act protections, with a decision due by October after a settlement. Habitat Restoration: Crook County’s $3.5 million sage grouse project is set to begin juniper removal on at least 9,000 acres near Hampton, with fieldwork moving forward after clearances. Climate & Oceans: The National Science Foundation says it will dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative, removing hundreds of underwater instruments along coasts including Oregon. Energy & Fisheries: USDA unveiled a migratory big game conservation framework across 17 states, including Oregon, aiming to improve landscape connectivity for elk, pronghorn and mule deer. Local Community: A Bend farm is launching tech-free summer camps that blend nature-based crafts and animal-focused learning for kids ages 8–13. Pollution & Safety: Longview, Washington continues cleanup and investigation after a Nippon Dynawave chemical spill that killed 11 workers.

Wildlife Recovery: A young California condor, B9, completed a 380-mile, four-day flight into Oregon—the first free-flying condor documented in the state since 1904—passing near Medford and reaching the coast near Brookings. Pollution & Enforcement: Oregon DEQ fined Pacific Cast Technologies in Albany nearly $51,000 for serious hazardous waste violations, including unsafe storage and improper disposal practices that DEQ said could endanger workers and responders. Outdoor Access: Oregon’s annual Free Fishing Weekend is set for June 6–7, with no licenses or tags required statewide (but all other fishing rules still apply). Public Lands & Fire Readiness: Deschutes National Forest firefighters conducted a training burn south of Bend to support wildland fire origin and cause investigation practice. Local Conservation Events: Environment Oregon is hosting a Wallowa County state-park trivia night (June 4) and a guided walk at Minam State Recreation Area (June 6). Ballot Watch: Petitioners for Oregon’s Initiative Petition 28 (to ban hunting, fishing, and livestock farming) submitted more than 126,000 signatures toward the November ballot.

Wildfire readiness: Agencies kicked off “Smoke Ready Week,” urging Oregonians to check filters and plan for earlier, smoke-heavy wildfire season. Public lands training: Deschutes National Forest ran a south-of-Bend burn training exercise to prepare wildland fire investigators. Climate and water stress: A drought warning story highlights how Oregon’s shrinking snowpack is worsening summer water shortages and stressing salmon and other river life. Tribal clean-energy fight: Yakama Nation protesters challenged a pumped-storage project on sacred ground, arguing permits ignore major cultural and environmental impacts and that data centers may be the real power buyers. Local transit push: Cascades East Transit’s Try Transit Week pop-up at Bend’s Central Library promotes walking, biking, and riding transit with family-friendly outreach. School “all-electric” promise questioned: Portland Public Schools’ new Jefferson High School branding is criticized as misleading since labs and backup systems still rely on fossil fuels. Labor pressure at universities: SEIU members protested Oregon public university wage freezes, saying costs are rising while pay isn’t. Drought in Eastern Oregon: Baker City reported its second-driest May on record, with reservoir levels dropping.**

Wildlife Corridors Funding: Oregon is set to dedicate a 1.25% increase in the transient lodging tax to wildlife starting June 5, aiming to pay for safer crossings and habitat as animal-vehicle collisions remain a major risk. Microplastics Cleanup Research: Oregon State University researchers showcased a “molecular movie” approach that could help break down toxic pollutants in water, including work targeting nitrophenols. Oregon Ballot Fight Over Animals: The PEACE Act (IP 28) would ban hunting, fishing, and livestock farming in Oregon by removing animal-cruelty exemptions, and supporters say signatures are nearing ballot thresholds. Local Nature Access: Keizer opened a new Claggett Creek boardwalk and trail, with restored wetlands designed to cut flooding, improve water quality, recharge groundwater, store carbon, and support wildlife. Industrial Disaster Fallout (Regional): In Washington, officials say all 11 workers killed in a Longview paper mill chemical tank implosion have been identified and recovered, with cleanup focused on preventing further contamination of the Columbia River. Waterway Pollution Cleanup Plan: Eugene officials shared new soil testing results for dioxin contamination at Trainsong Park, with options ranging from excavation to capping.

North Cascades National Park Spotlight: With far fewer visitors than Mount Rainier, North Cascades draws about 47,000 people a year—meaning more solitude on trails and glacial lakes, plus a rare chance to see the park’s “American Alps” landscape with 300+ glaciers. Aquatic Invasives & Recreation Rules: Oregon’s new Waterway Access Permit requirement for small nonmotorized boats is pushing kayakers and paddleboarders to seek a November repeal, arguing the fees and rules could curb access while the state targets quagga and zebra mussels. Heat & Public Safety: The National Weather Service warns of a June heatwave risk across parts of Oregon, with Portland and Salem near 90°F and Eugene in the upper 80s—plus reminders to hydrate and avoid dangerous water conditions. Trainsong Park Cleanup: Eugene officials say dioxin contamination in Trainsong Park reaches about two feet deep, and they’re weighing excavation versus containment to reduce exposure. Longview Paper Mill Disaster: Recovery efforts in Washington’s Nippon Dynawave implosion concluded with all 11 workers identified and recovered, while officials continue cleanup to protect the Columbia River. Wildlife Protection: LA County reported a rare bald eagle nesting pair, urging residents to keep distance to protect federally protected birds. Oregon Fisheries in Drought: Bag limits are being lifted for anglers at three eastern Oregon reservoirs likely to go dry, giving fishers a chance to harvest before “deadpool” conditions.