AGP Executive Report

El Niño Watch: Eastern Washington and much of the Northwest are bracing for a warmer, drier winter as El Niño strengthens, with forecasts tilting toward above-normal temperatures and reduced precipitation risk. Wildlife & Water: Oklahoma City’s effort to refill Lake Hefner after drought included a dramatic wildlife moment—otters riding the released water and a bald eagle circling overhead. Local Governance: Multnomah County voters head to ranked-choice voting for District 2 commissioner, with seven candidates running across North and Northeast Portland. Climate Accountability in Oregon: A letter urges Oregon voters to press candidates directly on climate and environmental priorities ahead of the Nov. 3 election, pointing to a SOCAN forum for questions. Pollution & Plastics Policy: Senators reintroduced a bill to ban toxic substances in plastic beverage bottles and push pollution remediation support, with Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley among the co-sponsors. Oregon Energy & Land Use: A rural Idaho county’s renewables ban is under review again, highlighting how local rules can shift as communities reconsider clean-energy tradeoffs. Public Safety: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warned against a viral microwave “squishy toy” stunt that can cause severe burns.

Wildfire & public safety: A Grasshopper Fire in Oregon is burning “protected” acres, raising fresh questions about whether current wildfire planning and forest protections are working. Toxic soil cleanup: Eugene is moving ahead with a $1.2 million plan to cap dioxin-contaminated soil at Trainsong Park, using targeted excavation plus an engineered protective cap. Bear conflict management: Sandy River Park will stay closed until next week while Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife investigates a black bear sighting. Water stress: Wickiup Reservoir is expected to drop to extremely low levels this fall as drought and required flows for the threatened Oregon spotted frog limit releases. Clean energy politics: A rural Idaho county that previously banned renewables is reconsidering its stance, a sign of how local clean-energy bans are shifting. Plastic pollution law: Five U.S. senators reintroduced a bill to ban toxic substances in plastic beverage bottles and steer cleanup grants toward rural and underserved communities. Oregon climate governance: Oregon’s Jeff Merkley and other AGs are pushing Congress for federal AI safety rules, while Cheyenne is weighing an EPA climate plan that critics say could raise costs. Local governance & history: Portland’s Union Station won a federal honor after its Black labor history was recognized.

Toxic Soil Cleanup: Eugene is moving ahead with a $1.2 million plan to cap dioxin-contaminated soil at Trainsong Park, using targeted excavation and an engineered protective cap because the highest concentrations sit around the playground. Wildfire Reality Check: A new report-style look at Oregon’s “protected” forests argues the system is failing—highlighting how areas treated for wildfire risk reduction still burned in the Grasshopper Fire. Water Under Pressure: Wickiup Reservoir is expected to rapidly draw down amid drought, with releases stepped down to meet minimum flows tied to the threatened Oregon spotted frog. Data Centers & Power Costs: Pacific Power reached an agreement under Oregon’s POWER Act that would shift more new energy and infrastructure costs for data centers onto operators, with regulators expected to decide in November. AI Safety Push: Oregon AG Dan Rayfield joined 26 attorneys general urging Congress to set federal AI safety rules, citing incidents where AI systems accessed networks or acted unsafely. Local Conservation & Rivers: Sisters Coffee launched a Deschutes River–supporting roast, donating $2 per bag to the Deschutes River Conservancy to restore streamflow and improve water quality. Wildlife & Public Safety: Sandy River Park remains closed after a black bear sighting while ODFW investigates. Community Youth Support: Eugene’s new Youth HUB opens Sept. 28, bundling education, jobs, mental health help, and basic needs in one downtown space.

Women & Prosperity Agenda: A Portland Metro Chamber forum highlighted that Oregon ranks 49th for private-sector job growth, with the opinion piece arguing the biggest hit is on women—especially in skilled trades and architecture/engineering/construction. Tribal Land Return: Oregon lawmakers’ Grand Ronde Land Transfer Act would add about 18,600 acres of federal forestland to the Grand Ronde reservation, keeping it open for hunting, fishing and recreation while limiting certain gaming and log exports. Plastic Pollution Fight in Court: The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors has appealed a Ninth Circuit case challenging Oregon’s Extended Producer Responsibility plastic law, arguing it disrupts supply chains and shifts costs. Clean Energy Funding Model: Eugene voters will consider a Clean Energy Fund modeled after Portland’s PCEF, aiming to accelerate emissions cuts and climate justice projects. Wildfire + Water Adaptation Event: PLAYA in Summer Lake hosts “Wildfire + Water: Artists and Scientists Adapting to Change,” bringing local experts and artists together around wildfire impacts and water access. Forest Resilience in Klamath: American Forests is setting up a seed orchard and forest resilience center near Klamath Falls to support post-fire reforestation, with local school tours included.

Wildfire & public safety: U.S. and BLM planners will ignite a 180-acre prescribed burn west of Glide starting Sept. 29, aiming to cut wildfire risk, improve oak woodlands, and reduce invasives—while warning of trail impacts and extra equipment traffic. Wildlife & human-wildlife conflict: Sandy River Park closed after a black bear sighting; Oregon State Police and ODFW are searching to prevent negative interactions. Fire restrictions easing: Central Oregon lifted Stage 1 public-use fire restrictions on Friday after cooler, wetter conditions, though some limits remain on BLM lands and in wilderness areas. Forest management in court: A federal appeals court cleared BLM’s 13,000+ acre Siuslaw timber plan west of Eugene, rejecting claims it failed to do enough site-specific analysis under NEPA. Climate resilience planting: American Forests is building a seed orchard and forest resilience center near Klamath Falls to supply climate-resilient seedlings after the record wildfire season. Energy policy local ballot: Eugene voters will consider a clean energy fund modeled after Portland’s PCEF, as advocates push for bolder emissions-reduction funding. Data centers pressure: A new report says Oregon data centers used 14 TWh in 2025—22.8% of state electricity—fueling growing debate over power, water, and impacts.

Roadless Rule Fight: Oregon’s roadless protections for national forests are under pressure as the Trump administration moves to strip protections from intact roadless areas, with a comment period running through Oct. 6—an issue that matters for backcountry hunting, fishing, and quiet recreation. Wildlife Habitat Funding: The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced $13.3 million in grants across the West, including Oregon, to conserve winter ranges and migration corridors for mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose and more. Recreational Water Safety: Dare County officials issued a precautionary swimming advisory for ocean and sound-side areas after samples exceeded enterococcus action levels, tied to hazardous weather and ocean overwash. Oregon Conservation & Science: Oregon Zoo caregivers say red pandas Enoki and Liu are slowly bonding, a hopeful step for the endangered species. Community Planning Watch: Sisters faces a tight deadline for its urban growth boundary expansion approval by the end of 2026, or the city may need to redo major planning work.

Oregon Health Authority: Oregon walked back proposed fee hikes for the psilocybin therapy industry, after advocates warned doubling licensing costs could shrink renewals and drive up prices for lower-income patients. Roadless Rule: The federal comment period on a Trump plan to end the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule was extended to Oct. 6, keeping pressure on protections that limit new roads across 44.7 million acres of national forest land. Wildlife in Eastern Oregon: ODFW tranquilized a black bear that wandered into Weston and will relocate it about 24 miles away to better habitat. Local Energy Upgrades: Cave Junction began replacing 98 older streetlights with LED fixtures through a Pacific Power and Energy Trust grant, aiming to cut power use and save money. Climate & Pollution Accountability: A new Sierra Club and Breach Collective report says NW Natural used Oregon’s SB 98 to fund out-of-state biomethane projects that, critics argue, fail to cut emissions while driving pollution. Water Quality Court Fight: Oregon’s Court of Appeals rejected a bid to tighten water-quality controls on Tillamook dairies, leaving manure stormwater rules in question. High-Speed Rail Planning: WSDOT says Portland-to-Vancouver high-speed rail planning is moving toward a service development plan, with an Everett-area stop still on the table.

Oregon Energy Policy: Pacific Power reached an agreement under Oregon’s POWER Act that would let the utility directly assign the costs of new grid upgrades needed for data centers to the operators, aiming to stop other customers from subsidizing server-farm demand; the Citizens’ Utility Board called it the strongest deal yet, and the Public Utility Commission is expected to vote Nov. 13. Wildfire & Forest Management: The U.S. Forest Service is seeking to fast-track logging about 5,000 acres in Central Oregon’s Deschutes National Forest burned by the Akawa Butte Fire, with a one-week public comment window—sparking concerns that rushing recovery could harm wildlife that depend on post-fire habitat. Salmon Habitat: The Army Corps of Engineers defended a Fall Creek Dam drawdown meant to help juvenile Chinook pass downstream, while acknowledging it can temporarily raise sediment and turbidity below the dam. Tribal Land Transfer: Sen. Jeff Merkley introduced a bill to transfer 18,000 acres of federal forestland to the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, framed as repairing losses from the 1954 Western Oregon Termination Act. Local Climate Disclosure: Eugene City Council heard testimony on a proposed ordinance requiring a Home Energy Score disclosure when homes are listed for sale, with residents and advocates arguing it could help buyers understand costs and upgrade needs. Conservation Science: OSU researchers patented a more eco-friendly, water-based method to separate zirconium from hafnium—potentially reducing reliance on toxic solvents used in today’s industrial separation.

Tribal Land Transfer: Sen. Jeff Merkley has introduced a bill to transfer 18,000 acres of U.S. Forest Service land to the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, aiming to help repair the impacts of the 1954 Western Oregon Termination Act and support a “healthy working forest” for fish and wildlife, timber, fire resilience, and recreation. Salmon Habitat & Dam Impacts: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers defended a Big Fall Creek Dam drawdown, saying it’s needed to help juvenile Chinook pass downstream—even as residents worry about sediment and turbidity affecting salmon spawning areas. Coastal Prairie Restoration: California’s Table Bluff project is funding new trails and habitat work to protect the endangered western lily, while tackling threats like invasive Himalayan blackberry. Forest Health Watch: Oregon’s tree health improved slightly in 2025, but officials warn drought stress and future warming/drying could quickly reverse gains. Fire & Recovery on the Ground: South-central Oregon agencies are starting prescribed burns, while BLM is using aerial seeding and herbicide treatments to help post-fire rangeland recover and reduce invasive grass-driven wildfire risk. Data Center Scrutiny: BLM is asking a court to revisit approval steps for a data center near Boulder City, as environmental review and legal questions remain contested. Snake River Fishing Changes: Oregon will tighten bag limits for hatchery chinook and steelhead in Hells Canyon as returns run low, prioritizing broodstock needs. Food Waste Prevention: Deschutes County will host an Oct. 7 workshop to help restaurants cut food waste through prevention, donation, and composting.

Endangered Species Act: A federal court ruled the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service violated the Endangered Species Act by refusing to designate critical habitat for the Sierra Nevada red fox, a population estimated at just 18 to 39 animals. Federal Land Management: The Ninth Circuit weighed in on a National Environmental Policy Act fight over BLM’s timber plan in western Oregon, rejecting a demand for parcel-by-parcel analysis and clarifying how the agency must assess impacts. Hydropower Costs in Oregon: Bonneville Power Administration is seeking an extra $125 million per year from ratepayers to cover court-ordered increased spill to protect endangered fish, a move environmental groups say reflects planning failures. Wildlife & Enforcement: Oregon State Police asked for tips after a doe was shot and left to waste near Monroe, and the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission set 2027 big-game regulations, including changes to western Oregon elk hunts. Coastal Safety: Tourists stranded on a remote Tillamook-area beach after tides trapped them were rescued after writing “SOS” with driftwood. Wildfire Smoke Research: Oregon State University found wildfire smoke can affect cattle calves far from burn areas, raising concerns for ranchers. Invasive Species History: A look at how European beachgrass reshaped Oregon’s dunes—turning dynamic, shifting habitat into more vegetated terrain.

Hydropower & Fish Protections: Bonneville Power Administration is seeking an extra $125 million from ratepayers over two years to cover court-ordered increased spill from its dams to protect endangered fish—an increase that could push power bills up more than 6%, while environmental groups argue BPA is shifting blame for planning shortfalls. Wildlife Crime: Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife is asking for tips after a doe was shot near Monroe and left to waste; investigators recovered a .30-30 shell casing and say the suspects were in a loud pickup. Wildfire Smoke Impacts: An Oregon State University study finds wildfire smoke can travel far and still affect cattle performance, even when herds aren’t near active fires. Big-Game Rules: The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted 2027 big-game regulations, including changes to western Oregon elk hunts and reduced cow harvest in the West Cascades. Data Centers vs. Local Control: Salem City Council will hold a public hearing on a proposed 120-day moratorium on new AI data center projects. Willamette Valley Wildlife Control: A falconry expert says many wineries are moving away from propane bird-scaring “dinner bells,” using birds of prey and dogs instead to keep migrating birds from damaging crops. Community Food Systems: Corvallis’ Ten Rivers Food Web project is working to reconnect people with local food and build a healthier regional food web.

Marine Debris Art on Oregon Coast: Cherokee Nation citizen Elizabeth Roberts unveiled a public sculpture of salmon made from discarded plastic collected on Oregon beaches, partnering with Chinook Indian Nation and local agencies to spotlight harm to coastal ecosystems. Data Centers vs. Power Bills: The House advanced a bill pushing states to consider making data centers cover the added cost of electricity generation and grid upgrades, but critics say the next steps remain unclear as the issue heats up in elections. Oregon Fish Protections and Rates: Bonneville Power Administration is seeking another rate increase after a federal court order requires more water spill at Columbia and Snake River dams to protect threatened fish—raising costs for millions served by consumer-owned utilities. Glacier Disaster Warning: A University of Oregon professor points to the Nepal-Tibet flood as a sign that glacier shrinkage can trigger slope failures worldwide, with more glacier-related disasters likely. Oregon Conservation Deal: The historic Steiwer Ranch near Fossil sold for $27.55 million, with the buyer planning conservation credit projects instead of development. Wildlife Migration Lights Out: Oregon is asking residents to dim lights as millions of migrating birds pass overhead.

Water & Fish Policy: Bonneville Power Administration is seeking another power rate increase of up to 6.3% for customers across the Northwest after a federal court order requiring more Columbia and Snake River spill to protect threatened fish—meaning less electricity generation and higher bills for more than 1 million Oregonians. Climate Outlook: Oregon and the region could see warmer-than-average fall conditions as a strengthening El Niño heads toward record strength, with some areas facing tricky precipitation swings. Wildlife & Habitat: A new Oregon-focused look at how to protect wildlife includes a reminder that turning off lights during peak migration can help birds, and a separate report highlights how wildlife crossings can reduce roadkill. Conservation Land Deal: Oregon’s historic Steiwer Ranch near Fossil sold for $27.55 million, with the buyer planning conservation credit projects tied to habitat restoration rather than development. Energy & Community Conflict: A national debate over data centers is framed as an anti-nuclear-style backlash—centered on water use, power demand, and public health impacts. Local Arts & Place: Astoria artists are featured in a Seattle TV series spotlighting Pacific Northwest creators and their environments.

Electricity & Fish Protections: Bonneville Power Administration has started an expedited process for a proposed rate increase of up to 6.3% for more than 1 million Oregonians served by consumer-owned utilities, after a federal court ordered extra Columbia and Snake River spill to protect threatened fish. Solar Access in Oregon/Washington: A federal judge revived the EPA’s “Solar for All” program, potentially restoring about $243 million in funding, including $86.6 million for Oregon low-income solar projects. Roadless Rule Fight: Oregon’s intact roadless national forest areas—nearly 2 million acres—are facing a new push to unwind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, with a comment period running through Oct. 6. Data Centers & Local Control: St. Helens moved toward new expectations for large industrial developments after community concerns about data centers, while Oregon cities and counties continue weighing rules around power, water, and impacts. Wildlife & Habitat: A historic 37-square-mile Steiwer Ranch near Fossil sold for $27.55 million, with the buyer planning conservation credit projects tied to restored habitat. Climate Outlook: El Niño is strengthening toward record levels, with forecasts suggesting warmer-than-average fall conditions for Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.

El Niño Watch: Oregon, Washington and Idaho are likely to run warmer than average this fall as a strengthening El Niño heads toward record strength, but forecasters warn it could “defy our expectations,” with mixed rain signals for the region. Bird-Safe Lighting: As peak fall migration ramps up, the Bird Alliance of Oregon is urging residents to turn off unnecessary outdoor lights and close curtains Friday night to prevent disoriented birds from crashing into windows. Solar Funding Win: A federal judge revived the Solar for All program, potentially restoring about $243 million in federal support for low-income solar projects in Oregon and Washington. Roadless Rule Fight: Oregon’s intact roadless national forest areas could lose protections as the Trump administration moves to unwind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, with a comment period running through Oct. 6. Wildfire Staffing Strain: Firefighters describe a record wildfire season stretched thin by staffing and equipment shortages, with crews forced to “move pawn pieces” as fires escalate. Data Center Pressure: St. Helens adopted a resolution to set expectations for major industrial developments like data centers, while Oregon communities continue pushing back over power and water impacts. Wildlife Crossings: New reporting highlights how wildlife crossings can reduce animal-vehicle collisions, especially in the West where elk and other species are common road hazards.

Solar Funding Win: A federal judge revived the EPA’s Solar for All program, restoring about $243 million in grants that would support low-income solar projects in Oregon and Washington. Roadless Rule Fight: Oregon’s eastern national forests are among nearly 2 million acres of roadless lands at risk as the Trump administration moves to unwind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, with a comment period running through Oct. 6. Wildlife-Friendly Migration: Bird advocates urged Oregonians to turn off outdoor lights Friday night as peak fall migration nears, warning skyglow can disorient birds and increase window strikes. Avian Flu Watch: The Oregon Department of Agriculture reminded poultry owners to tighten biosecurity as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza risk rises with cooler weather and migrating wild birds. Local Cleanup Concerns: Bethel-area residents near Eugene’s J.H. Baxter Superfund site say questions remain as EPA continues cleanup and a second removal action begins. Data Center Pressure in St. Helens: St. Helens adopted a resolution to set expectations for large industrial developments, including potential data centers, while city code updates are still needed. Firefighting Strain: Firefighters described staffing shortages during the record wildfire season, including crews told “nobody’s coming” as fires spread. Rare Bird Sighting: A Blue Rock Thrush—normally far from Oregon—was spotted along the Columbia River in North Portland, drawing birders and conservationists. Wildfire Recovery Logging Proposal: The U.S. Forest Service proposed removing fire-damaged trees and replanting after the Akawa Butte Fire near Sisters, including some commercial salvage logging.