Communities
Defending Communities
Our Communities Program is focused on preserving the places where Pacific Northwesterners live, work and play. Since 2001, Crag has worked with clients to protect their communities from unsustainable development that could damage the scenic beauty, local environment, and character of population centers across the region. Many people lack tools to effectively engage in decision-making processes that directly affect their lives. Communities of color and low-income communities often experience a disproportionate share of the negative impacts of pollution and industrial development. Our work supports public participation in local decision-making, helping to elevate the voices of those most impacted by governmental decisions. Our Communities Program is focused on land use advocacy, environmental justice, environmental health (pollution), and protection of Oregon’s coastal resources through the Coastal Law Project.
What We’re Working On
Unlawful Botched Repairs At Winchester Dam
Crag is representing a coalition of fishing and conservation organizations to intervene in the DEQ enforcement action to hold Basco Logging accountable for a botched repair at Winchester Dam.
Challenging a Controversial Sewage Treatment Plant in Chiloquin, OR
On behalf of Chiloquin residents, Crag challenged Klamath County’s decision to approve a three-stage sewage treatment plant that would threaten winter elk habitat.
Fighting Freeway Expansion
Fighting Freeway Expansion The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) wants to expand I-5 in the historically Black Albina neighborhood in Portland (you may know it as the Rose Quarter). This expansion would mean more lanes of traffic and more ramps. It also...
Restoring Portland Harbor
Restoring Portland Harbor Crag represents the Nez Perce Tribe’s interests in the Portland Harbor Superfund project on the Willamette River. The lower stretch of the Willamette River, near its confluence with the Columbia River, has long been central to the livelihoods...
Mt. Hood Wilderness Land Exchange
Mt. Hood is home to pristine wilderness, beautiful alpine lakes, scenic landscapes, and the historic Timberline Lodge. Since 2001, Crag has fought to protect the North Side of the mountain from Mt. Hood Meadows’ misguided development proposal.
Molalla Wastewater Treatment Plant Violations
The city of Molalla—located in Clackamas County, Oregon—is failing to protect the right to clean water. For over a decade, Molalla’s sewage treatment plant has violated the terms of its permit, undermining people’s health and the quality of the Molalla River.
Port Westward: Rezoning Farmland for Industrial Use
The Port of St. Helens has proposed rezoning 837 acres of farm land for industrial use to allow fossil fuel export. We are fighting to maintain the beautiful landscape, agricultural heritage, and economic livelihood this unique farmland provides.