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
Environmental Justice Win in West Eugene!
Lane County Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA) has agreed to improve air quality monitoring and community engagement in West Eugene. The changes come in response to a civil rights and environmental justice complaint Crag filed on behalf of Beyond Toxics with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The complaint challenged the Lane County agency’s 2013 decision to allow Seneca Sustainable Energy to increase pollution discharges from its West Eugene power plant.
A Win for rural lands in Douglas County!
On Friday, August 2nd, LUBA took a huge step in protecting farm and forestland in Douglas County. LUBA remanded a Douglas County decision to amend its comprehensive plan that would have allowed for the re-designation of over 22,000 acres of farm and forestland for residential land.
Victory for Oregon Wine Country!
The Oregon Court of Appeals took a big step to preserve Oregon farm and forest lands from large developments proposed under former Measure 37 claims. The Court reversed two decisions out of Yamhill County that authorized large developments ion high value farmland in the Chehalem Mountains and near Bald Peak Mountain.
Oregon Farmland Protected at Port Westward!
Court Decision Effectively Halts Plans for Proposed Methanol Refinery, Industrial Expansion at Columbia River Port Crag is celebrating with our client Columbia Riverkeeper on a key victory for farmland and our climate. On May 22, 2019 the Oregon Court of Appeals...
Protecting Rural Coastal Lands from Sprawl
Crag and our client Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition celebrated a win for rural working lands and the laws that protect coastal landscapes. Crag has been working over 15 years to help community members and local organizations use Oregon’s iconic land use laws to protect our rural landscapes.
Second Win for Farmland at Port Westward
The Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals rejected Columbia County's second attempt to open 837 acres of high-value agricultural land along the Columbia River to industrial development. The Port of St. Helens proposes doubling the size of its rural Port Westward property...
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.