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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oregonians Demand an Immediate Stop to Field Burning
Campaign to End Field Burning Releases Endorsement List
“It is indisputable that field burning smoke constitutes a serious threat to public health,” said Western Environmental Law Center attorney and Campaign Co-Director Charlie Tebbutt.
Eugene, OR Nov 19, 2008The Campaign to End Field Burning today released a long list of endorsers demonstrating widespread support for a legislative ban on field burning in the Willamette Valley. To date, the Campaign has received over 100 endorsements from business associations and individual businesses, including many in the outdoor recreation industry, farming, food products and distribution, financial services, and restaurants. Additionally, the Lane County Medical Society, representing over 700 physicians, and many other Oregonians, have joined the Campaign’s call for an immediate end to field burning.
“It is indisputable that field burning smoke constitutes a serious threat to public health,” said Western Environmental Law Center attorney and Campaign Co-Director Charlie Tebbutt. “We encourage all Oregonians to join the Campaign to send a loud and clear message to Oregon’s legislative leaders that the field burning program must be terminated immediately, and that the recently ended 2008 burn season must be the last.”
Mike Coughlin, owner of Burley Design, LLC, emphasized that “Oregon has tried to cultivate the image of a progressive state that cares about clean air and outdoor recreation opportunities yet continuing to allow open field burning runs directly contrary to these principles. There are other manageable alternatives to field burning for grass seed growers, so a ban on open field burning will not place any undue hardship on an already vibrant industry.”
Dr. Robert Carolan, a Eugene-based pulmonologist and an advisor to the Campaign, noted that, “inhalation of smoke from burning fields presents a serious threat to many patients with both lung and heart disease. It also presents a real risk to many others, including children and the elderly.”
Numerous state and county elected officials have also extended their support, including State Representatives Paul Holvey, Phil Barnhart and Sara Gelser, State Senator Floyd Prozanski, Lane County Commissioners Bill Dwyer and Peter Sorenson, Commissioner-elect Rob Handy, Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy, Eugene City Councilors Bonny Bettman, Betty Taylor, Chris Pryor, Andrea Ortiz, and Alan Zelenka, and Councilor-elect George Brown (see endorser statements below).
“My constituents told me loudly and clearly that they are suffering from field burning smoke” commented Representative Paul Holvey. “As I did in 2007, I will be introducing a bill to end field burning in the Willamette Valley. The Oregon legislature has the responsibility to make sure that September’s burns were the last anyone in Oregon will ever see. The support of the business and medical communities will provide the support we need in the upcoming legislative session,” continued Holvey.
"The City of Eugene opposes field burning, recognizing its adverse effects on the health of the people of our community. I strongly support the Campaign to End Field Burning's objective of an immediate and permanent ban on the burning of grass field wastes in the 2009 legislative session. This problem has plagued the health of Willamette Valley residents for decades. With the tax credits and development of alternatives that have long been provided to the grass seed industry, it is now time to stop this dangerous practice,” stated Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy.
Field burning was banned in the State of Washington over a decade ago and their industry has continued to thrive. In 2008, more than 38,000 acres were burned in Oregon.
“Support for an end to field burning crosses the political spectrum. Our list of supporters is growing by the day. We welcome all interested businesses and individuals to join us in fighting for cleaner air in Oregon in 2009,” concluded Tebbutt.
The Campaign to End Field Burning, a project of the Western Environmental Law Center, has also been working closely with the Oregon Toxics Alliance and countless other members of the Willamette Valley.
Click here for statements issued by the above endorsers (pdf).
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