2015 Oregon Legislature Wrap Up

Oregon’s State Capitol building in Salem has a well-deserved reputation as a place where lobbyists and corporate interests wield tremendous power. The 2015 legislative session proved this again, with legislators from both political parties pushing terrible bills on everything from legalizing illegally-constructed dams to stripping endangered species protections from gray wolves.  

But what was different in 2015 was the presence of a strong, pro-wildlife voice in Salem--the voice of thousands of wildlife supporters just like you! And we’re looking forward to working with you to have an even bigger impact in the coming years.

Your input needed: What are your priorities for conserving Oregon’s wildlife?

The run-down of anti-wildlife bills considered in the 2015 session is ugly.

A reckless bill to strip state endangered species protections from wolves--permanently, regardless of what happens in the future-- was given a hearing by House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee Chair Brad Witt (D-Clatskanie). Four separate bills to overturn a voter-passed ballot measure banning the hunting of cougars with dogs were introduced.  And after a wealthy landowner in Eastern Oregon was caught illegally building dams on public waterways that harmed threatened red band trout, legislation was introduced to retroactively legalize his activities.

Many good bills were stopped cold by polluting industries and anti-wildlife interests. A strong measure to increase penalties for poaching was killed in committee, despite support from both hunters and conservation groups.  So were several proposals to diversify the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW’s) funding base. And Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee Chair Chris Edwards (D-Eugene) refused to give a hearing to an important bill to protect the public, rivers, and wildlife from toxic pesticides sprayed from airplanes and helicopters by the logging industry. But amid the bad news, there were some very good things too.

Some legislators do care about wildlife. Just not enough of them. Pictured here, Oregon Reps. Lininger, Keny-Guyer, and Helm.

Oregon Wild supporters like you sent in over 3000 comments to legislators and the Governor’s office and several dozen people joined us for Oregon’s first ever Wildlife Lobby Day. With your help, we killed the bill to strip endangered species protections from wolves, maintained funding for biologists and pro-conservation programs at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and recruited a new generation of pro-wildlife and pro-conservation leaders in the legislature.  An “Environmental Caucus” with 19 members was formed in the House, where rising stars like Rep. Ann Lininger (D-Lake Oswego) and Rep. Ken Helm (D-Beaverton) introduced important pro-environment bills and stopped the repeal of legislation to combat climate change.

But I won’t sugar coat it:  2015 was a tough year for wildlife, and for the environment in general, in Salem.

Now, with the legislative session over, we want to look ahead.  How do we best advocate for wildlife in future Oregon legislative sessions?  What species should we focus on?  How do we rally conservation-minded Oregonians to take on polluters and big-money special interests?

Take our poll and let us know what should we be working on in Salem in 2016 and beyond.

Oregon Wild is committed to making sure fish and wildlife get a fair shake in Salem. Your feedback is important -- and your participation is even more important. Please consider participating in our next lobby day or send a quick note to let your elected officials know that you care about protecting Oregon’s wildlife legacy for future generations.