Perhaps no other ecosystem in the Pacific Northwest is more threatened than Oregon's Willamette Valley. The combined effects of urban development (75 percent of all Oregonian's live in the Valley) and agriculture have destroyed more than 90 percent of the valley's wetlands. The valley's native prairie is almost entirely extinct in remaining Oakwood woodlands are rapidly disappearing. Not surprisingly, some 50 plant and animal species are threatened -- including steelhead that swim through downtown Portland, which were recently listed under the federal Endangered Species Act.

At both OEC's Dec. 4 Forum event, Dr. Lou Guilette (right) a national
expert on toxic chemicals in human health, and Sarah Severn in (second from
right), director of environmental affairs at Nike, spoke on persistent
poisons and hormone disruptors.

The event was moderated by Dr. Mitch Greenlick (second from left), Chair
of the Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at OHSU, pictured
here with the OEC Executive Director Jeff Allen (left).

In the summer of 1988, the USGS declared that the Willamette watershed now provides some of the worst fish habitat in the U.S., relative to 20 rivers studied. EPA is considering declaring 5.5 miles of the lower river in the Portland Harbor area as a Superfund site because of toxic contamination in river sediments.

Through our Forums for Business and the Environment series, OEC is working to engage the business community as a key player and informed participant in the restoration effort.

On February 9, at an event in Salem, the formal will focus on the role of the construction industry in salmon recovery efforts in the Willamette watershed. Jon Chandler, director of Governmental Affairs for the Oregon Building Industry Association will join Mike Houck, Urban Naturalist with the Audubon Society of Portland to discuss how the industry is responding to new environmental mandates.

On March 16, the form series will focus on toxic contamination in the Portland Harbor and economic development plans for the lower river. State Rep Randy Leonard and Bruce Andrews of the Port of Portland will discuss their visions for how economic development and environmental protection of the lower river can best be reconciled.

Finally, this year's Forum Series will conclude with the first ever Forum event in Eugene scheduled for May 31, Gov. John Kitzhaber will speak to business and citizen leaders about his Willamette restoration initiative, a broad-based effort (including OEC) that is working to developing comprehensive strategy for restoring the river.

OEC members and other interested Oregonians and are encouraged to join us at one of these upcoming events, which are held from 7 a.m. to 9 a. m.. Tickets are 25 dollars (20 dollars for OECD members). Please call OECD at (503) 222-1963 ex-100 for event locations and reservations.