Oregon is considering legislation that would allow developers to build in wetlands (marshy areas of land where the soil is saturated with water) more cheaply and quickly. This legislation would reduce the amount of wetland mitigation required in some cases, streamline the permitting process and create a pilot program to create a local mitigation bank.
Once again we are prioritizing development at the risk of seriously harming the environment. We are continuing to propagate the false belief that we can take from nature and then successfully replace what we take with our own constructs.
Ralph Tiner, a U.S. Fish & Wildlife service scientist, said, “Trying to create a wetland is like taking a vein in your arm and moving it where there is no vein. It may look like a vein, but it does not function like one.”
Human-made wetlands are usually not successful and lack the functionality of natural wetlands.
Unfortunately, wetlands are generally viewed as unproductive or marginal lands and are therefore easily targeted for drainage and conversion. Factually, wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, comparable to rain forests and coral reefs.
The biological diversity of wetlands is subtle and needs to be appreciated up close. Consider taking a walk on the wetland trails in west Eugene and join us in appreciating this marvelous ecosphere.
Oregon must choose to protect our limited wetlands if we are serious about the environment and the global ecosystem.
Christopher & Deb Michaels
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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