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Our society is addicted to our cars.   We feel that our lives are urgent and that there is not time to walk.    It is sad. 

This dependency on cars has added to our nation's health problem.   I consider it patriotic to be less reliant on my car.    

Generally I find drivers considerate of pedestrians in areas with crosswalks.   

I feel that ODOT and Clackamas County Transportation gives lip service to pedestrians and bicyclists.   We don't need bike maps - we need safe transporation routes for our daily travel. 

When I have provided public comment on projects and ask for consideration of bikes and pedestrians in projects, have always gotten negative response from the ODOT manager.    I live in a rural tourist community in Clackamas and am frustrated by the "need for speed" comments sited by road managers.

posted 2 years, 6 months ago
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The legislative branch does not need to complete environmental reviews as outline in NEPA when passing laws. Designation of wilderness can only be done by law - not by any federal land managment agency like the Park Service or Forest Service.

"...meet the statutory designation of wilderness?" This was a hot topic when wilderness areas were designated in the Eastern United States. Many people felt that they were not wild enough or were no longer pristine enough. Some proposed areas had been logged. Take a look here at what the definition of wilderness is in the law: http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&sec=legisAct#2 . It is by no means cut and dry.

posted 4 years, 4 months ago
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Here are a few web site for reference with regards to designating wilderness:

http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm
The web site for the National Wilderness Preservation System. Want to know how much acreage is designated? When was a specific wilderness area designated? What does the Wilderness Act really say? Also, the four land managment agencies use this, so you can find their "toolboxes" and such here.

http://www.wildernesswatch.org/
This national citizen group works to protect wilderness once it is already designated. Some people describe this group as the "purists".

http://www.leaveitwild.org/
This is the web site for the Campain for America's Wilderness. This national environmental group supports local environmental groups working to get more wilderness designated.

Read sections 2 of the Wilderness Act. It is written beautifully. Here is a link: http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&sec=legisAct

posted 4 years, 4 months ago
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Hi, I'm a home brewer and it was my understanding the the hop growers union was a closed system and it was very difficult for new farmer to get in the act. Is this still true and how has this affected the current hop situation?

thanks! Bob

posted 5 years, 3 months ago
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I don't view it as academics vs arena, given that is it a loan. That said, I think that selected Div I sports facilities & programs have gone over the top. I played college sports and am a huge follower of U of P soccer. I even thought of going to the UO in the 70's since I was a runner in high school. I see the role that athletics plays for colleges, but some sports in some universities have taken program "needs" to absurd levels.

I went to the UO athletics web page to see the details but the press releases were mainly focused on what the building would look like, not information about the specific issues and needs. Then there was a survey that asked "would you buy tickets" if. Needless to say - I was not impressed. That gives me the flavor of empire building.

I don't feel our state needs this. Sure if the university has donors who want to back it - go for it. My vote is for a bond for a new high school for my 10 years old to go to - and its going to cost 40% less!

posted 5 years, 3 months ago
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