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2006 Fish Passage Barriers Workgroup Region - Statewide
Under the direction of the Oregon Geographic Information Council (OGIC), the Oregon Bioscience Framework Implementation Team (Bio-FIT) delegated the development of a draft Fish Passage Barrier Data Standard to its Fish Passage Barriers Workgroup.
The Workgroup, comprised of representatives from federal, state, tribal, regional, and county governmental agencies, met seven times between December 2006 and May 2007 to develop a draft standard. The Oregon Consensus Program assisted with process design and provided neutral facilitation services for the Workgroup.
The draft standard developed by the Workgroup was submitted to the larger GIS community for review in May 2007. The standard includes the essential elements and data structure necessary to adequately describe, develop, exchange and use fish passage barrier data produced in Oregon. The standard will support the automation, integration and sharing of fish passage barrier data. The standard will also serve to improve the accuracy and completeness of fish passage barrier data, thus improving their value and usefulness for supporting resource planning.
The Standards Forum reviewed the draft standard on June 27, 2007 and recommended that OGIC approve the standard with minor modifications to address comments received during the review period.
For more information, see
http://gis.oregon.gov/DAS/EISPD/GEO/fit/bioscience/fish_passage_barriers.shtml
2004-2006
Aggregate Mining/Farmland Protection Region - Statewide
In early 2004, at the Governor's request, the Oregon Consensus Program convened an Aggregate Mining/Farmland Consensus Process. The purpose of this Consensus Process was to develop a recommended policy for the state in regard to siting and regulating aggregate mines on farmlands, within the context of the long-term demand for aggregate and the availability of other aggregate resources. Considerable data was compiled and presented to the group regarding aggregate mining and farmland issues by the Institute for Natural Resources at Oregon State University. The Consensus Group met as a whole seven times in 2004, and agreed to continue working together to develop consensus recommendations and not to request the 2005 Legislature to address any related individual issues. The process resumed in the Fall of 2005 to develop various options to address the issues that had been identified. The group was terminated at the end of 2006.
2006 Dingfelder Water Policy Summit Region - Statewide
In December 2006, Representative Jackie Dingfelder hosted a Water Policy Summit with 20 participants representing municipalities, water districts and others knowledgeable about water quality and quantity issues. Steve Greenwood from the Oregon Consensus Program facilitated the discussion which addressed numerous important water policy issues including Oregon’s stewardship of water resources, water policy goals, impact of Measure 37 on water and water policy, ideas for managing water resources and the need to work on demand-side management. Representative Dingfelder plans to convene another forum at a later date.
2006 Clackamas County Sewer District #1 Region - Metro/Hood River
Clackamas County Sewer District #1 was faced with considerable disagreement from concerned citizens when it announced its proposal to build the Clearwater Treatment Facility. The District appointed a Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) to bring citizens together with other stakeholders to address options for the location and financing of new wastewater treatment facilities. With the assistance of neutral facilitation services provided by Carie Fox on behalf of OCP, the CAC worked with technical consultants to identify four technically feasible options, and then worked with the community to rank them in terms of citizen developed criteria. The CAC forwarded its priority recommendation to the Sewer District #1 Commissioners for action and final decision in September of 2006.
2004-12/2006
Coastal Coho Stakeholders Group Region - Statewide
This joint state and federal effort was aimed at assisting the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries to assess the effectiveness of The Oregon Plan for protecting Coastal Coho salmon, and then helping them to determine a conservation or recovery plan for the Coastal Coho salmon. OCP supported the Coastal Coho Stakeholder collaborative process by providing technical assistance on process issues, and the facilitation services of DS Consulting over two years. ODFW released a draft State of Oregon Conservation Plan for the Oregon Coast Coho and held a series of public town meetings in November 2006 for the public comment period. The draft plan was presented to the Oregon Fish & Wildlife Commission on January 11, 2007 and related rules are expected to be adopted in March or April of 2007.
For more information: http://www.oregon-plan.org/OPSW/cohoproject/coho_proj.shtml.
2005 – 2006 Region - Statewide
Oregon Department of Forestry, Protection from Fire Program
The Oregon Department of Forestry, Protection from Fire Program requested OCP’s assistance to facilitate a series of meetings among members of the Pacific Northwest Wildfire Coordinating Group (PNWCG ) regarding the roles, responsibilities and relationships of various working groups involved in the National Fire Plan implementation. The PNWCG consists of state, federal, and local fire program managers, and includes representatives of the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Oregon State Fire Marshal and local fire districts, the Washington Department of Natural Resources, the Washington State Fire Marshal and local fire districts, the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. This discussion clarified roles, responsibilities and decision-making processes and documented an organizational structure that would accomplish the collaboration that is described in the National Fire 10-Year Strategy and Implementation Plan. The parties agreed to bring the National Fire Plan work under the organizational structure of the PNWCG and in the process revised the Mission and Charter of PNWCG and its task forces.
2004 Global Warming Advisory Group Region - Statewide
The Oregon Consensus Program facilitated the Governor’s Global Warming Advisory Group through a process of developing a proposed Global Warming Strategy for the State of Oregon. The recommended strategy was adopted by a consensus of the group in December 2004 and forwarded to the Governor. The state strategy is intended to supplement and inform the Governor’s participation in a West Coast Climate Change/Clean Energy Initiative with the Governors of California and Washington.
For more information: http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/GBLWRM/Strategy.shtml
2004 Wolf Management Region – Statewide
In early 2003, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission initiated a process to develop an Oregon state wolf management plan and adopted a goal statement and guiding principles to direct the planning process. The Commission created the Wolf Advisory Committee to assist in development of the plan. Fourteen members representing various stakeholders and geographical regions were appointed to best represent the interests of all Oregonians. The Committee spent 10 months developing a majority-approved plan for the Commission to consider. The Committee’s plan, as well as two minority opinions, was presented to the Commission in October 2004. Over the next four months, the Commission and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife staff held public meetings and received public comment on the Committee’s efforts. In February 2005, after making some changes, the Commission unanimously approved the Committee’s recommended plan. Efforts to make three legislative changes required by the plan were unsuccessful during the 2005 Legislative Session and as such, the Commission will be considering whether to revisit any part of the Plan.
For more information: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wolves/
2003 Scenic Waterways Policy Region – Statewide
For more information: http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/RULES/waterways.shtml
2002 Conservation Incentives Task Force Region - Statewide
A very broad 25+ member task force was convened to address conservation measures. With assistance of a neutral facilitation team, the Task Force developed a number of recommendations to the legislature and draft legislation on various conservation incentives for the state. The legislation was adopted by the 2003 Oregon legislature (HB 3616, 2003 Session).
2001 Cascade Locks Region – Metro/Hood River
Parties addressed issues related to riparian area and wetlands protection within the City of Cascade Locks in a mediated process. The parties reached an agreement that clarified expectations surrounding specific requirements, provided for a new wetlands inventory, settled a disputed claim, and provided an opportunity for the City to update its Community Development Code.
2001 Neighborhood Streets Region - Statewide
The Department of Land Conservation and Development had developed a handbook for narrow streets in neighborhoods, but consistently ran into opposition of public safety officials concerned with access to areas for fire and other public safety equipment. The issue was raised in legislative sessions, and the Department agreed to use a collaborative process to resolve the issues. This case lasted for several years, but resulted in complete agreement over a new set of street design guidelines that are supported by multiple interests. The group reach consensus on a set of standards in November 2000, following which stakeholders circulated their agreement with their constituents for ratification.
2001 DOGAMI/ODOT Rogue River Region - Southwest
A stakeholder group was formed to deal with issues resulting from flooding in sections of the Rogue River. When significant issues were impeding progress of the group, the assistance of a neutral facilitator was provided to help the group work through its remaining issues in an orderly and efficient manner. The group proposed a river and floodplain management plan for a section for the Rogue River Channel along a three mile reach near Lower Table Rock in Jackson County, to enhance fish habitat and promote floodplain stability and function. The issues related to extensive floodplain gravel mining that had been ongoing for more than 30 years. The effort reached a mediated consensus plan for adaptive management along an altered reach of the Rogue River, consistent with the goals of the “Oregon Plan.”
2002 Native Fish Region - Statewide
The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission initiated a collaborative process using a mediator to help the various interests in the State’s native fish policy reach consensus on a recommended policy. The parties were able to reach agreement on the substantive issues and the resulting policy was adopted by the Commission.
2001 Pesticide Reporting Region - Statewide
The Department of Agriculture was charged with implementing controversial legislation related to pesticide use reporting. Assessment and design work with the stakeholders involved in this project led to the Department of Agriculture hiring a mediator/facilitator to work with the advisory group appointed to deal with implementing this statute.
2001 Fish Passage Task Force Region - Statewide
After an aborted and polarizing attempt to develop consensus, a state agency was directed by the legislature to try again to work with 25 stakeholder groups to develop solutions to highly polarized issues around conflicting statutes regarding requirements for fish passage in watersheds of the state. Third party neutral co-facilitators of the new effort, succeeded in convening the group, re-orienting it to a collaborative approach, and resolving the numerous issues. The group was able to develop and support draft legislation that would resolve the statutory conflicts and enact the new approach reached in the mediated process. The legislation was enacted in the 2001 session.
2001 WRD Dayton Lafayette Water Rights Region – Willamette Valley
Two cities and the Department of Water Resources used a mediator to assist them in resolving this contested case over water rights. The program played a major role in the early assessment, procurement and convening stage of the process.
2001 Land Application of Effluent Region - Statewide
Several state agencies had conflicting viewpoints about statutory requirements and the best policy for disposal of sewerage effluent on agricultural lands. An initial mediation set a framework for ongoing collaboration among the agencies, which resolved the issues.
2001 Yachats - 804 South Road Region - Southwest
Courts had found that an old right of way had not been vacated, though 70 houses had been built over it. It is estimated that over a million dollars had been spent on litigation. This long-standing dispute was resolved with the assistance of a mediator. The parties included the City of Yachats, the County, four title companies, the State, and three public access interest groups. The landowners were also integrally involved in the mediation. The collaborative approach produced an agreement centered on a mitigation approach. The approach created a settlement fund to provide alternative access to and along the beach, while allowing landowners clear title. The controversy was one of the more complex land use disputes ever undertaken with mediation assistance. It resolved significant litigation and legislative issues. 2001 Columbia River Gorge Commission - Nelson House Region-METRO/Hood River
This case addressed takings issues in the Columbia Gorge. An initial assessment provided a foundation for continued mediation participated in by all the parties.
2001 ODOT Oswego Creek Region – METRO/Hood River
A long-standing dispute between property owners and ODOT relating to the impact of road improvements on drainage and flooding for nearby property owners was resolved through the use of mediation..
2001 City of Salem – City of Keizer Sewer Treatment Plant Region – Willamette Valley
An assessment led to convening a mediation process which resolved this complex and long-standing dispute between Salem and Keizer over use restrictions near the regional sewage treatment facility. The parties agreed to a framework for settlement in July 2000, which was finalized in 2002. The mediation included representatives of property owners, the City of Keizer, Marion County and the City of Salem.
2001 Columbia River Gorge/Doug’s Beach Issues
Program staff assessed and convened discussions which were extremely helpful to Gorge Commission staff and other stakeholders. Ongoing mediation was not necessary to resolve this issue.
2001 Forest Service Recreation Initiative Region – METRO/Hood River
Program staff supported work of the Forest Service in obtaining a grant from the US Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution. The concept began in May of 2000 and ongoing coaching and technical assistance resulted in convening this effort with a partnership grant from the US Institute.
2001 ODFW Talent Irrigation District Region - Southwest
This case proceeded slowly over several years, reaching an agreement in mid-2001 with the assistance of a mediator. The issues involved a civil penalty for a fish kill resulting from herbicide used by the district to keep its canals open.
2001 DEQ TMDL Work Region - Statewide
The Program assisted the Department of Environmental Quality to assess the feasibility of using a collaborative approach to establishing TMDL’s in the state. A long-term process was assisted with funding from the US Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution and BLM.
2002 Eastside Riparian Region - Eastern
The Oregon Department of Forestry was asked to convene a collaborative work group to develop riparian standards for forest management for the East side of the Cascade Mountains. The group worked for several meetings without a neutral and then sought funding to hire a neutral facilitator to guide the process.
2002 Josephine Merlin North Valley Region - Southwest
This was a regional dispute between Josephine County, the City of Grants Pass and the unincorporated community of Merlin. Stakeholders included local government, state government, community interests, business interests, industrial interests and land use advocates. The process was aimed at reaching an agreement on a strategy to determine the appropriate service levels and service providers for portions of the Merlin-North Valley area that are targeted for economic development.
1999 DEQ Cleanup Program System Design Region - Statewide
The Public Policy Dispute Resolution Program assisted the Department of Environmental Quality respond to a legislative directive to develop an ADR system for the Independent Cleanup Pathway (ICP) for contaminated sites. The ICP is designed for sites with low to moderate contamination where property owners voluntarily undertake cleanup efforts and seek a No Further Action determination from DEQ. While the authority to make determinations in the Cleanup Program still resides with the DEQ Director, it is hoped that the ADR mechanisms can improve the efficiency and satisfaction with ICP determinations. DEQ worked with stakeholders to design the ADR system. The program includes a mediation process and the opportunity for an independent technical review.
1999 Willamette Restorative Initiative Support Region - Willamette Valley
A facilitator/mediator assisted the Willamette Restoration Initiative Board and strategy subcommittee in designing and implementing a collaborative process to create a restoration plan for the Willamette Basin. The WRI Board sent its initial recommendations for watershed restoration to the Governor on May 18, 2000. The board will continue to work with stakeholders on refinements to these initial recommendations and completion of a fully developed Willamette Restoration strategy.
1999 Portland Harbor Region – METRO/Hood River
The program assisted the Governor’s office, the Department of Environmental Quality and many state, federal and Tribal stakeholders prior to the listing of the Portland Harbor as a superfund site. This effort provided a forum for exploring various interests, issue and potential solutions. Although the facilitation effort did not result in an agreement on how to proceed, participants gained a better understanding of the issues and the variety of interests involved in this complex policy issue.
1997 Forest Practices Act Regulatory Stability Work Group Region - Statewide
The Governor’s office initially convened a small group of forest industry, fishing industry and conservation groups’ representatives to try to work out a compromise on legislation and brought in a third party neutral to facilitate the negotiations. In helping the group assess what they could and wanted to accomplish, the group decided no meaningful consensus on substantive issues was possible in the two weeks available to meet the timetable for this legislative session. Instead, they asked the facilitator to work with them to develop a true consensus process on the underlying issues, and to convene the appropriate participants to do so. The facilitator assisted the initial group to identify and convene the needed participants to develop agreement on revised legislation which formally constituted the consensus group process as an interim task force with a duty to report back to a legislative interim committee in 1998.
1996 Oregon Department of Energy/Energy Facility Siting Council Region - Statewide
Facilitated negotiations among the state, interest groups and industries over establishing a carbon dioxide emission standard for new power plants to recommend to the Oregon legislature. A larger task group had been established by the Oregon Legislature to address a number of energy facility siting issues. One key issue posed a substantial challenge to the Task Group. It suggested that representatives of industry, the state and the environmental groups try to suggest a standard they could all support. The initial sub-group was invited by the Oregon Department of Energy and an outside facilitator was asked to help the group see if it could develop a consensus. The facilitator assisted them in reviewing who needed to be there, how communications among parties who were not there needed to occur, and how to interrelate with the larger Task Group that was imposing deadlines and a report framework. The facilitator was able to help the group reach a consensus recommendation within three weeks and four meetings.
1991 Umatilla Basin Project, Phase II Water Rights & Exchange Negotiation
Region - Eastern
This facilitated process involved multiple parties, including state and federal agencies, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and public interest groups, discussing technical issues that are subject to governmental regulation and have tremendous economic and environmental impacts. The parties were successful in reaching a resolution satisfactory to all and within the acceptable legal parameters, which allowed water rights permits for this project to be issued. The process also involved considerable "troubleshooting" of difficult situations, for example, helping parties stay committed to working within the process and helping them deal with distrust and other personal feelings affecting the possible outcomes. The results of the collaborative effort are evident in the success of this project. The long term benefits are coming to fruition; native salmon are returning to the Umatilla River, which are critical to the Tribe’s culture and economy. A healthy farming economy in the region was sustained, with sufficient water for irrigation.
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