Someone recently wrote a letter to Eugene Weekly about the smell that has a “hint of the sea” being detectable in the Barger area (Nov. 15). The fact is, the sharp odor emanates from Lane Forest Products and blankets a huge area of west Eugene from Barger to North Beacon.
Lane Forest Products makes and ships mulch throughout the area. The problem is that the dust is impossible to avoid and makes living near the massive piles at Maxwell and Prairie a struggle.
Residents in the neighborhood are constantly breathing particulates, and many are unable to open windows during the hot dusty summers. Representatives of the company told us to call whenever the dust becomes a problem — which is often — but whenever we do, nothing changes. The watering of the massive piles does nothing to eliminate the awful dust.
Our concerns were brought to Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA), but they seem unable or unwilling to seriously challenge a company the size and stature of Lane Forest Products. Sadly, this is all too common in an era where big business is God and we the people are nothing but voiceless peasants.
Sadly, the company prides itself as a responsible “green” company. This should mean taking into consideration the health of the residents of the area.
The company should relocate their mulch operations to a more appropriate location. We will find out just how “green” Lane Forest Products really is.
J. Pinney and A. Albright
Eugene
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519
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