AGP Executive Report

Wildlife on the road: Environment Oregon is recruiting volunteers for its Oct. 17–25 Roadside Wildlife Count, asking Oregonians to log dead or alive animals on roads using iNaturalist to help guide where wildlife crossings are most needed. Carbon capture in Oregon’s climate: Oregon State University researchers developed BVR-X, a material that can pull carbon dioxide from moisture-rich industrial exhaust and keep working through repeated capture-and-release cycles. Data centers vs. small towns: A national reporting look at how data centers are overwhelming local communities—driving lawsuits, raising fears about water and power, and pushing residents to organize against new projects. Fuel economy fight: Cities and counties (with partners nationwide) filed a court petition challenging NHTSA’s weakened corporate average fuel economy standards, arguing the rule is unlawful and harms public health. Oregon policy and wildlife: Oregon’s Congress is also seeing scrutiny of environmental groups’ lawsuits, with lawmakers alleging “weaponizing litigation” to stall federal projects. Local science collaboration: Applied Materials and Intel are teaming up with Applied’s EPIC Center in Silicon Valley and Intel’s R&D campus in Hillsboro to speed next-gen AI chipmaking innovations.

Energy Costs & Policy: A nonpartisan think tank projects Oregon households will pay about $9,000 more for energy through 2040 as federal policy shifts cancel clean energy projects and weaken vehicle efficiency rules. Wildlife & Forest Protection: A House committee called out Oregon groups Oregon Wild and Cascadia Wildlands for “weaponizing litigation,” citing delays tied to a Mt. Hood National Forest restoration plan and broader staffing cuts. Coastal Shellfish Safety: Oregon closed razor clam harvesting coastwide after domoic acid levels rose above safety thresholds; mussels remain open, with reopening tied to follow-up testing. Wildfire Smoke Guidance: University of Oregon and local air officials urged students to keep monitoring late-season smoke, limit outdoor time for sensitive groups at higher AQI levels, and use HEPA filtration indoors. Solar & Wildlife Coexistence: An Illinois solar farm study used an acoustic microphone to show endangered Illinois chorus frog calls during breeding season, suggesting wildlife can thrive around panels. Local Climate/Forests Debate: A letter urges saving the federal Roadless Rule, warning it protects millions of acres of forest habitat and clean water. Wildland Firefighter Support: Merkley and Curtis introduced a bill to expand death benefits for fallen wildland firefighters to match military levels.

Forests & Wildlife Policy: A new push to repeal the federal Roadless Rule puts 45 million acres at risk, including about 2 million in Oregon, with critics warning it would open protected forests to roads and development. Climate in the Courts: The Supreme Court will hear a climate case from Boulder, Colorado, that could decide whether local courts can order energy companies to pay for alleged damage tied to greenhouse gas emissions. Wildfire Impacts on Water: New research finds wildfires are burning more watershed land across the West—especially in areas serving big populations—raising concerns for water quality and infrastructure, with Oregon’s Klamath Mountains flagged. Wildfire Cleanup Barriers: In Rowena, hazard trees left after a 2025 wildfire are blocking rebuilding, while volunteers help clear debris so homes can be repaired. Oregon Community & Education: Outdoor School marks 60 years of sending Portland-area sixth graders into forests for hands-on environmental learning. Energy & Data Centers: Oregon’s data center tax breaks are fueling a growing backlash, as residents and groups organize over hundreds of millions in exemptions and local impacts.

Snake River Dams Study: Washington’s DOT is sharing draft findings on how removing the lower Snake River dams could reshape transportation, with an Oct. 8 open house tied to a pause in litigation and renewed focus on native fish recovery. Oregon Energy Costs: A new think-tank analysis projects Oregon households could pay about $9,000 more for energy by 2040 under recent federal policy shifts that cut clean power incentives. Coast & Climate Impacts: NOAA warns West Coast sea levels could rise up to a foot as warm-water Kelvin waves move north, raising flood and erosion risk for Oregon and Washington. Shellfish Safety: Razor clam harvesting is closed coastwide after domoic acid levels exceeded safety thresholds; mussels and other shellfish remain open. Wildlife & Habitat: Oregon is killing barred owls to help save the northern spotted owl, while tribes highlight traditional “agriculture” that supported food and biodiversity. Local Science & Community: OSU researchers report a light-activated material that can produce hydrogen from water, and the Josephy Center is hosting a Wallowa Mountains art exhibit.

Coastal Climate Watch: Sea levels along the West Coast are expected to rise up to a foot as warm-water Kelvin waves move north, lifting the baseline for higher tides, erosion, and flooding risk in Oregon and Washington through winter. Forest Policy Fight: A proposal to repeal Oregon’s Roadless Rule would reopen large national forest areas to new roads and logging; supporters cite wildfire risk, while critics warn roads would worsen habitat impacts and ignition sources. Marine Science: A 238-foot ship has set out to reinstall parts of a Pacific ocean monitoring system that the Trump administration had dismantled, restoring tools that track marine ecosystems and climate-linked currents. Wildlife & Coasts: Oregon’s coast history gets a new lens as researchers revisit how European beachgrass planted a century ago reshaped shifting dunes into dense ridges. Local Conservation & Education: Oregon State researchers report a new light-driven hydrogen-from-water approach using tailored materials, aiming to cut emissions by turning solar energy into fuel. Community & Environment: Portland’s Solar Oregon Go Zero! Home Tour highlights century-old homes upgraded for all-electric, lower-energy living.

Ocean Monitoring Fight: After the Trump administration moved to scrap parts of a $368 million Pacific ocean monitoring network, a 238-foot ship set sail to reinstall the first batch of deep-sea instruments that track currents, marine ecosystems, and climate signals—especially important as a strong El Niño builds. Coastal Flooding Risk: NOAA warns “Kelvin waves” tied to El Niño could raise West Coast sea levels by up to 30 centimeters, increasing erosion and flooding risk for Oregon and Washington. Local Wildlife Moment: A sea otter hijacked a surfboard at Steamer Lane in a tense standoff with youth surfers, adding to a pattern of bold otter encounters. Data Center Push in Medford: Medford officials are drafting clearer rules for future data centers as communities weigh jobs and tax revenue against electricity, water use, and environmental impacts. Energy & Elections: Oregon’s Kotek and Drazan traded barbs in the first governor’s debate, including over climate change and wildfire funding. Food & Climate: A study finds regenerative farming can store more carbon in soil without reducing yields or profits. Solar Oregon: Portland-area homeowners are opening net-zero upgrades to the public during a free Go Zero! Home Tour.

Oregon Climate & Energy: Oregon’s first gubernatorial debate turned feisty as Gov. Tina Kotek and Sen. Christine Drazan traded barbs over affordability, wildfire mitigation, and climate change, with both sides accusing the other of misrepresenting records. Wildlife & Habitat: Oregon and the wider region face fresh pressure on imperiled species and ecosystems, from new research on plankton off the Oregon coast to ongoing conservation work and policy fights over habitat protection. Regenerative Farming: A new study of more than 2,000 farms reports regenerative practices can match conventional yields and profits while storing substantially more carbon in soil—boosting biodiversity along the way. Local Land Use & Public Safety: Portland City Council approved amendments shaping the future of fuel terminals and storage tanks along the Willamette River, responding to earthquake and disaster risks tied to the CEI Hub. Food Waste: Lane County’s “Im(Perfect) Food Faceoff” spotlights how chefs can turn imperfect, commonly wasted foods into meals while teaching practical ways to cut food waste.

Wildlife & Water Quality: Oregon’s governor debate spotlighted climate and wildfire mitigation, with Kotek and Drazan trading barbs over how to respond to drought and fires. Columbia River Impacts: A new report revisits how dredging the Columbia River can harm tribal and aquatic communities by disrupting river habitat. Energy Costs & Climate Policy: States and cities sued the EPA over rollbacks to power-plant greenhouse gas limits, arguing the changes will worsen pollution and raise long-term costs. Oregon Transportation: A public survey shows Oregonians want ODOT to prioritize maintaining highways and bridges and improving safety as the state faces a major budget gap. Local Habitat Restoration: Springfield planted 500 native trees and shrubs at a stormwater pond to cool water, stabilize banks, and filter runoff before it reaches the Willamette. Biodiversity Discovery: Scientists reported two new sea spider species in the Salish Sea, adding to the region’s biodiversity record.

Climate & Clean Air Lawsuits: Oregon joins a coalition of states and cities suing the Trump administration over EPA rollbacks of power-plant greenhouse gas limits, arguing the changes will worsen the climate crisis and public health. Endangered Species Act Fight: Conservation groups update their challenge to the administration’s shift in how “harm” is defined under the Endangered Species Act, saying it effectively legalizes more wildlife killing. Oregon Wildlife Management: Oregon begins killing barred owls at the Elliott State Research Forest to protect northern spotted owls, part of a broader federal effort. Water Quality in Springfield: Springfield planted 500 native trees and shrubs at the Mill Race stormwater pond to cool water, stabilize banks, and filter runoff before it reaches the Willamette River. PFAS Accountability: Oregon AG Nick Brown joins a lawsuit aiming to stop DuPont from moving assets to dodge cleanup costs tied to “forever chemicals.” Local Education & Jobs: Klamath Basin schools received $375,000 in state grants to expand hands-on career and technical education, including new labs and agriculture training.

Wildfire & Drought Signals: A new national drought update points to intensifying conditions in Oklahoma as October begins, with exceptional drought expanding and heat plus limited rain driving worsening impacts. El Niño Weather Shift: The same week’s broader outlook ties changing drought and storm patterns to a rapidly intensifying El Niño, fueling heavy rain in parts of the Southwest while other areas stay hot and dry. AI Power Demand: A new study warns AI data centers run by major tech firms could consume about 1% of global electricity by 2030, raising pressure on grids and energy planning. Oregon Clean Fleets: Oregon’s Department of Energy launched an Oregon Electric Fleet Network to help public agencies and medium- and heavy-duty operators electrify faster, sharing lessons on costs and technical hurdles. Recycling Access in Rural Oregon: Chiloquin Visions in Progress opened a new free RecycleOn Center, expanding drop-off options for materials that don’t fit standard bins. Wildlife Care & Conservation Culture: The Wildlife Center of the North Coast shared a story about a northern pygmy owl patient, highlighting how small predators depend on healthy habitat and careful rehab work.

Oregon DEQ Enforcement: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued six civil penalties totaling $184,387 in August, including actions tied to hazardous waste mismanagement, a diesel spill cleanup failure, and stormwater and wastewater violations. Wildlife & Fisheries: The Columbia River steelhead forecast was downgraded again, with officials now expecting summer steelhead at Bonneville Dam to top out at 56,900—an especially grim outlook given the run’s already-low trajectory. Climate & Clean Transportation: Oregon Department of Energy launched the Oregon Electric Fleet Network to help public agencies and medium- and heavy-duty fleet operators electrify faster, sharing best practices and troubleshooting barriers. Public Lands & Forest Planning: Baker County endorsed “Alternative 2” in the Forest Service’s revised management strategy for the Wallowa-Whitman, Umatilla, and Malheur national forests, as the comment period closes and a final plan is targeted for early 2027. Prescribed Fire Prep: Fall prescribed burns are planned across multiple Southern Oregon communities, with crews coordinating with DEQ and forestry smoke forecasters and asking residents to avoid burn areas due to smoke impacts. Oregon Zoo: The Oregon Zoo renewed its AZA accreditation for another five years after a multi-day inspection focused on animal care, veterinary services, training, conservation, and risk management.

Chronic Wasting Disease Watch: Oregon is expanding deer and elk testing with new check stations statewide, urging hunters to stop for mandatory sampling to help contain the fatal disease. Wildfire Policy: A U.S. Senate bill would create a clearer, targeted pathway for prescribed fire while protecting air-quality standards for other exceptional events—now headed to the House. Forest Service Restructuring: Retired fire leaders are pushing USDA to pause Forest Service integration and restructure wildland fire management under a unified chain of command. Climate and Weather Signals: Scientists warn this year’s “super” El Niño could reshape global weather, with major U.S. impacts possible. Oregon Carbon Debate: Oregon Republicans and Democrats are revisiting a cap-and-invest approach, weighing it against the state’s current Climate Protection Program. Food & Farming: Portland-based Organically Grown Company’s advocacy/sustainability leader Mike Dill won a national Organic Trailblazer Award. Local Conservation Note: Oregon Realtors’ Good Neighbor nominees include Klamath wildlife rehab volunteer Jennifer Fairfield. Big Picture (Not Oregon-specific): Ken Griffin’s $3B donation to Carnegie Mellon is fueling new Miami and Pittsburgh campus plans.

Wildfire & Air Quality Policy: The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill to make it easier for states to use prescribed burns without being penalized under Clean Air Act rules, addressing the heavy paperwork burden states say they face when smoke from controlled fires could count against air-quality compliance. Chronic Wasting Disease Watch: Oregon Fish and Wildlife is expanding CWD monitoring statewide with new check stations starting Oct. 3, asking deer and elk hunters to submit samples for testing and offering a rifle drawing for participating hunters. Community Cleanup: SOLVE’s annual Beach & Riverside Cleanup drew 1,500 volunteers across Oregon and Southwest Washington, removing about 9,000 pounds of litter and tackling invasive plants as part of 96 restoration projects. Disaster Funding: FEMA approved nearly $43 million for recovery and mitigation across Alaska, Oregon and Washington, including Oregon water infrastructure repairs tied to 2024 winter storms. Local Conservation Support: The Pacific Power Foundation awarded $56,000 to 13 Southern Oregon groups for outdoor education, volunteer efforts, and workforce training tied to environmental work. Prescribed Burns in Central Oregon: The Deschutes National Forest is planning fall understory prescribed burning, including units near Sisters, to reduce wildfire risk while coordinating to limit smoke impacts.

Lane County wildfire rules: Lane County fire officials say there’s still no set date to lift the ban on backyard debris burning, warning conditions may keep it in place until at least mid-October. They’re waiting on more September rain and safer fuel moisture after a record 2.5 million acres burned statewide. Eugene cleanup: Eugene is moving ahead with Trainsong Park soil remediation for dioxin contamination, with work expected next summer and funded by a $1.5 million EPA Brownfields grant. Southern Oregon funding: The Pacific Power Foundation awarded $56,000 to 13 southern Oregon groups for environmental education, volunteer efforts, and community career training. Willamette Pass snowmaking: Willamette Pass is doubling snowmaking guns and expanding coverage by 70 acres to boost consistency for the 2026-27 ski season. Wildlife win: Monarch butterfly populations are up more than 60% in a new report, offering a rare bright spot amid long-running declines. Data center transparency: Oregon lawmakers are among those pressing for more transparency and public input as data centers are proposed on public lands across the West. Health care policy: A new federal bill, the Stop Corporate Takeovers of Physicians Act of 2026, would limit non-physician control of medical practices and tighten noncompete rules.

Data Centers on Public Lands: Oregon lawmakers are pressing for transparency as developers eye Bureau of Land Management sites, including in Oregon, raising concerns about environmental review and community input. Federal Funding for Hazards: FEMA released $14.6M for Clatsop County and Columbia Memorial Hospital to expand a tsunami-resilient facility in Astoria, including a vertical evacuation structure for 1,900 people. Microplastics Oversight: Rep. Janelle Bynum joined a request for a GAO audit of the EPA’s microplastics work in drinking water and ecosystems, arguing Congress lacks a clear accounting of progress and next steps. Climate Impacts on Wildlife: OSU researchers warn Oregon’s gray whales are struggling to find enough food as climate change reshapes coastal conditions. Wildfire Preparedness: Ochoco National Forest is planning fall prescribed burns through October, with smoke and temporary closures expected. Community Conservation Grants: Pacific Power Foundation awarded $56K to 13 southern Oregon groups for outdoor education, volunteering, and fire resiliency. Water & Health: A multi-state E. coli outbreak tied to raw cheese has sickened 13 people, including cases reported in Oregon. Labor Update: Classified workers at Oregon’s public universities narrowly avoided a strike after reaching a tentative contract with the state.

Wildfire & Forest Policy: A Grasshopper Fire burning in Oregon’s Mt. Hood National Forest is reigniting debate over “protected” public-land logging plans, after a fuel-reduction project settled a lawsuit and treated thousands of acres that are now burning. Community Solar for Low-Income Households: Construction is underway on an 800 kW community solar array on a restored Portland landfill, expected to cut power bills for up to 140 low-income households by as much as 40%. Water & PFAS in the Data Center Boom: A new report highlights how data centers are driving water demand and pushing operators toward PFAS-linked cooling methods, raising fresh concerns for Oregon’s climate and water future. Public Health: San Diego health officials warned people not to eat recalled raw-milk cheese tied to a multistate E. coli outbreak. Wildlife Safety in Southern Oregon: Ashland is asking residents to report bear and cougar sightings as fall wildlife activity increases. Habitat Work for Steelhead: Volunteers and partners are reshaping pools and adding gravel in Ashland Creek to improve spawning habitat for winter and summer steelhead.