by CAROL VAN STRUM and FE BONGOLAN
Dear Friend and Reader:
In what appears to be a breakthrough and a victory for public activism, we have learned that the Oregon Congressional delegation, led by Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR 5th District), has today requested Naval Secretary Donald Winter to extend the public review and comment process on the Navy’s Environmental Impact Statement for its proposed use of the Pacific Northwest Coast as a target practice range.
Here is the text of of Rep. Schrader’s press statement:
Congressman Kurt Schrader
Oregon’s 5th Congressional DistrictContact: James Atkin, (202) 226-8046
February 6, 2009For Immediate Release
SCHRADER CALLS FOR EXTENSION OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD ON INCREASED NAVAL ACTIVITIES OFF THE OREGON COAST
Washington D.C. U.S. Congressman Kurt Schrader (D-OR) today lead several members of the Oregon delegation in calling for an extension of the public comment period and additional community hearings into the Navy’s planned expansion of military exercises off the Oregon coast.
In a letter to Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter, Congressman Schrader joined with Congressmen Blumenauer, DeFazio, Wu as well as Senators Wyden and Merkley to argue that:
Many citizens who live in potentially affected areas along the Oregon coast have expressed concern and frustration at the lack of public notice and the limited time to provide official comments to the U.S. Navy.
The Oregon delegation is calling for an extension to the public comment period until April 11th, and calling for at least 2 additional public meetings to provide additional opportunities for members of the community to discuss the new proposals.
We believe that successful and innovative projects in Oregon require an open, fair communication process between private businesses, government and citizens, continued the letter.
Congressman Schrader represents the 5th Congressional District of Oregon which includes the counties of Benton, Clackamas Lincoln, Marion, Multnomah, Polk and Tillamook. He is the chair of the Finance and Tax Subcommittee of the House Committee on Small Business. He also serves on the House Agriculture Committee and the House Budget Committee. The full letter is attached.
We’ve come a long way in a short time from Carol Van Strum’s articles earlier this week to today. Take this for what it is, friends and neighbors. This is what happens when we gather together to push open the doors and make the government we have work for us. Be ready to continue on from here. But tonight let’s breathe this one in. Savor this moment. This is what a victory looks like.
Yours & truly,
Fe Bongolan
San Francisco
Venus applaudes from the Aries Point—–good work all!!!!!
jlo:
This is my post from the other day’s thread on who to contact. Am re-posting it here:
OK, here’s a list to start with:
OREGON CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES:
Senator Ron Wyden (D- OR) ph 202-224-5244 f 202-228-2717 http://wyden.senate.gov/contact/
Senator Jeff Merkley (D- OR) ph 202-224-3753 f 202-228-3997 http://merkley.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm
Representative David Wu (D – 01) ph 202-225-0855 f 202-225-9497
http://www.house.gov/wu/email.shtml
Representative Greg Walden (R – 02) ph 202-225-6730 f 202-225-5774 http://walden.house.gov/ContactGreg.Home.shtml
Representative Earl Blumenauer (D – 03) ph 202-225-4811 f 202-225-8941 http://blumenauer.house.gov/index.php?option=com_email_form&Itemid=206
Representative Peter A. DeFazio (D – 04) ph 202-225-6416 f 202-225-0032 http://www.house.gov/formdefazio/contact.html
Representative Kurt Schrader (D – 05) ph 202-225-5711 f 202-225-5699 https://forms.house.gov/schrader/contact-form.shtml
US SENATE (KEY COMMITTEES)
COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS
Senator Barbara Boxer, Chair (202)224-8832
ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE
Senator Carl Levin, Chair (202)224-3871
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Senator Jeff Bingman, Chair (202)224-4971
When you call, be calm, clear and concise with the problem and with your concern. Get Congress to halt the process of approval of the Environmental Impact Statement until there is more time and better access for the public to review the plans.
Let them know the process so far has limited public participation and concerns not only the environment, but the economy and livelihood of the residents of the state. There has to be a way to get the Fed and the military from ramming this plan down the public’s throat.
That’s right, my Pretties. A number of scenes are being rescripted *right now.* Which means that there is a bit of heat building up along the fault lines, as well. Yes, the geophysical ones.
Steady as she blows.
M
be, I shall call it “a salty situation.”
. . . .and Venus on the Aries point, and Mercury trine Pluto, and . . . . .
Holy smoke, er steam. . . Mars will join Uranus in PISCES, and Jupiter, NEPTUNE and Chiron will square SEDNA! The Sun will conjunct Eris too. Looks like some conscious awareness of “stuff” in WATER about that time. Oh boy oh boy oh boy!
YAAAaaaayy…excuse me, I couldn’t keep it in. So wonderful Fe! Has anyone looked at a chart for April 11 yet, or is that too Aquarian (looking to the future)? Will await further instructions from PW Headquarters. Nice work!
I don’t know where this is going in the world of guns and national defense and submarine warriors, but I am very pleased that they are going to dialog. The April 11 date is not alot of leeway to get through this stuff, but I am sure the van strumites have their ducks in a row on this one. Have at er.
I am curious as to the lead points in the argument on both sides. I imagine those will unfold.
Well, what do we do? It’s an honest question. If the gov’t. (military) wants to expand, how can we as the proletariat voice our concerns as to the detriment of the west coast? Who do we write to? Where do we send our thoughts? Who, specifically do we contact in order to perhaps make a difference? This is all a little beyond me (only in jest) but I’ve realized that my solemn vocalization has power in the realities that I step foot into.
So honestly, where do we meet up with those who have influence over the reality that we all share?
Who’s to target now? Who has the greatest position of influence over what’s goin’ down on the coastal cliffs that we could perhaps persuade to take a look at the DIFFERENCE between the “military” and the “common folk”?
Any jive would help. (Especially phone numbers and addresses).
I can’t say I enjoy standing up to the military but, them cats lack forsight at times, and someone, everyone needs to stand up and say “Hey, what’s goin’ down?”
So, HOW do we get involved?
Think of it.
An astrology website moved the federal government.
Nice work out there in Oregon and all else who helped.
Fe: “Personally, I think there’s going to be some processed naval carcass found beached soon on the shores of Congress.”
Naughty, but such a lovely aspiration.
And yes, deep bow to C. Van Strum. Thank you, thank you!
And we have to give Carol Van Strum the lioness’s share of applause tonight. She is remarkable.
Mystes my dear:
The citizens of Oregon should prepare themselves for a good old-fashioned barn-stormer. The Navy has stepped its foot in it. And as far as we know right now, this story isn’t over yet. There’s a ton of fun to be had.
Personally, I think there’s going to be some processed naval carcass found beached soon on the shores of Congress.
“Excellence collecting excellence…” Congrats!
What I have been pondering is how far to reach. Shall we ask for the ‘reasonable’ 2000 yard perimeter for cetaceans? Or shall we ask that the entire series of exercises be reorganized into something a little less — oh, I don’t know — warlike.