Oregon Topics: Environment/Natural Resources

Discussions of how to improve salmon runs in the rivers of the Pacific Northwest illustrate the challenges related to solving modern environmental problems. Just about every major industry in Oregon may be affected by salmon recovery plans. Hydroelectric dams, timber harvesting practices, agricultural pesticide runoff, cattle grazing, overfishing, industrial discharge, and other potential causes have been linked to the declining runs. Still, experts have not formed a consensus on the best course of action. There is agreement, however, that salmon recovery will cost billions of dollars and that the outcome is uncertain.

This section provides links to agencies and organizations working on the salmon issue and other issues related to the environment and natural resources.

Blue Book Resources︿

Oregon Blue Book

(includes contact information, agency history, records retention schedules, budgets, and records held by the Oregon State Archives)

Columbia River Gorge Commission information
Oregon Agriculture Department information
Oregon Energy Department information
Oregon Environmental Quality Department information
Oregon Fish and Wildlife Department information
Oregon Forestry Department information
Oregon Geology and Mineral Industries Department information
Oregon Governor's Office information
Oregon Land Conservation and Development Department information
Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals information
Oregon State Lands Department information
Oregon Water Resources Department information

State Agencies︿

Columbia River Gorge Commission (created through a bi-state compact between Oregon and Washington)

Oregon Agriculture Department

Land and Water
Pesticides and Fertilizers
Agricultural Water Quality
Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO)
Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs)
Drought and Disaster

Oregon Energy Department

For businesses
For residential customers
For schools (energy efficiency)
Renewable resources

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

Oregon Fish and Wildlife Department

My ODFW for all current regulations, regulation updates, recreation reports and stocking schedules.

Oregon Forestry Department

State forests
Protection from fire
Private Forests Program (forest health, financial incentives, and regulation)
Urban and community forests (planting and caring for trees)

Oregon Geology and Mineral Industries Department (information about earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, oil and gas production, mining, and more)

Oregon Governor's Office

Governor's Issues & Priorities

Oregon Land Conservation and Development Department (DLCD)

About the department (includes programs and history)
Grants
Planning
Public meetings
Publications
News and Notices

Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA)

Opinions
Published orders

Oregon State Lands Department

State Land Board (includes minutes)
Wetlands Program
Removal/Fill Program (related to state waterways)

Oregon Water Resources Department

Agency forms
Water management programs (includes conservation and enhancement efforts)
Water resource maps (surface water, stream flow, dam, hydroelectric data)
Ground water information (includes data, studies, and guides)
Publications and Reports
Water rights information (includes extensive maps and data)

Oregon Explorer (by Oregon State University Libraries - includes information to help citizens and policymakers make better decisions about Oregon's natural resources and communities)

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (interstate commission for dealing with fishery issues- California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Alaska)

Federal Resources︿