In 2011, Oregon Consensus conducted an assessment on behalf of the City of Portland Healthy Working Rivers Office, examining applicant experiences with the multi-agency permitting process for maintenance dredging in areas of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers and Columbia Slough. The assessment gathered input from a wide variety of stakeholders, including dredging firms, owners of … Read more
Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar and senior officials of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) have expressed a strong desire to find new approaches to managing land included in the Oregon and California Lands Act of 1937 (O&C Act). BLM and Oregon Governor Kitzhaber are interested in exploring approaches to creating a policy framework for … Read more
Ecosystem services are life sustaining processes of nature, such as wetlands purifying drinking water, vegetation preventing erosion, healthy soil producing crops, and clean rivers supporting abundant fish populations. Owners whose lands produce ecosystem services historically have been compensated only through sales of products, such as food and timber. Ecosystem services marketplaces provide a system for … Read more
An interdisciplinary team from Portland State University’s National Policy Consensus Center, Oregon Consensus, and the Department of Planning, Public Policy and Management at the University of Oregon conducted a study in 2010 examining the mechanisms for integrating land use and transportation in metropolitan regions and assessing these arrangements based on current practice and future potential. … Read more
The 2009 Legislative Assembly heard heated debate about proposed legislation authorizing Oregon psychologists to prescribe medication for certain mental illnesses. 2009 House Bill 2702 addressed the conflict by directing formation of a work group to develop recommendations for legislation to address the issue. In 2010, Oregon Consensus facilitated the work group, which reached agreement on … Read more
“I believe we have all worked well together to help OHA set a high standard for how to truly engage the public in Oregon.”—Marti Kantola, Director, Six Rivers Community Mediation Center The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is leading the effort to create quality affordable health care in Oregon. In 2010, The OHA citizen-led board selected … Read more
“It was a good process that led to a satisfying agreement….” —OLAA participant In 2008 through 2010, Oregon Consensus brought together dozens of representatives of Latino community organizations, agencies, and educational programs in 2010 to collaborate on creating a vision for meeting the needs of Latino communities across Oregon. Through a series of open meetings … Read more
“The project is remarkable due to the determined efforts of the community of Seaside, ODOT, and consultants to address the congestion issue from a new perspective and the city’s commitment to support and invest in alternative modes, access management, and land use changes” — WTS Portland Chapter After years of bitter conflict about how to … Read more
“The Willamette River bridge project is a great example of citizens working with ODOT to achieve results that meet the required standards, while reflecting local community values.” ~ Sonny Chickering, ODOT Area Manager, Lane County (right) Rendering of Proposed I-5 bridge courtesy of the Oregon Department of Transportation In 2002, cracks identified in the Interstate … Read more
The Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) created Area Commissions on Transportation (ACTs) to help prioritize transportation infrastructure investment and to advise about development of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). ACTs coordinate discussion between the OTC, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), local officials, private and community representatives, and provide input on statewide policy issues. Twelve … Read more
In 2009, the City of Sodaville, in Linn County, Oregon, vacated a road to make room for development of a new water pump station. An adjacent property owner appealed the City’s decision to the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) because of concerns about accessing property. Oregon Consensus conducted a case assessment and mediated the … Read more
In 2009, the Stafford Hamlet bylaws required the Hamlet to develop and maintain a community plan, specifically mandating a planning process “that recognizes the interests of, and will be approved in an equitable manner by, resident and non-resident owners of large and small properties, business owners and renters within Stafford Hamlet.” Oregon Consensus designed a … Read more
“The improved monitoring strategies will greatly improve our ability to assess and adaptively manage Columbia Basin salmonid populations.” – Project participant Oregon Consensus helped design, convene and facilitate a Regional Workshop to develop agreement on a Columbia Basin Coordinated Anadromous Fish Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Strategy. The five-day workshop included more than 70 representatives of … Read more
“Since an ecosystem approach will provide healthier landscapes and quantifying these values will provide ways for landowners to access revenues for the benefits they provide, it helps landowners stay on the land and also provides a way for the regulated community to more efficiently invest in mitigation activities.” ~ Project participant An ecosystem services marketplace allows … Read more
“We would not have done as well as we did without the assistance of Oregon Consensus” – WEC project participant “This is a vision of a place which will not only be nicer to live in, healthier, safer, and more pedestrian friendly, but a place where compact urban development can occur.” – WEC project participant … Read more
In 2009, Antelope Ridge Wind Energy Project LLC (Antelope Ridge) submitted to the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) a Notice of Intent to build a 300 megawatt wind-powered electric generating facility in Union County, Oregon, near the Cities of Union and La Grande. Approval in the form of a Site Certificate from the Oregon Energy … Read more
In 2008, at the request of the Port of Portland and the City of Portland Bureau of Planning, Oregon Consensus conducted a neutral assessment of issues related to potential development of 800 acres of Port property consisting of most of the west half of Hayden Island. The Port or Portland, in conjunction with the Planning … Read more
“Cooperation between diverse interests can lead to a better understanding of the issues from multiple points of view. It will help lead to a balanced problem solving approach.”—Participant, Federal Forest Lands Advisory Committee project Nearly 60% of Oregon’s 30 million acres of forest is federally owned—about 25% of Oregon’s land base. Forests provide rural jobs, … Read more
The Exempt Groundwater Well Policy Consensus Work Group worked toward stakeholder consensus about whether changes should be made to Oregon’s policy on exempt groundwater wells. Legislation modifying the state’s exempt groundwater well policy was proposed during the 2007 legislative session and previously. In late 2007, State Representative Jackie Dingfelder requested assistance from Oregon Consensus in … Read more
The housing industry, affordable housing advocates and other stakeholders convened to generate ideas for meeting affordable housing needs in Oregon. They worked toward consensus on funding, minimizing costs, reducing permitting obstacles to private and public housing, encouraging the availability of land for housing, and promoting home ownership. Issues and Challenges Housing stakeholders have disagreed during … Read more