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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (March 6, 2014)
8 march6 2014 Salem Report By Representative Brad Witt in other words/community I want to call your attention to an important bill for our District. As you know, there has been a lot of conversation lately about both the presence and the increase of rail cars carrying crude oil through our area. Recognizing this, Senator Betsy Johnson and I, along with several similarly minded colleagues, co- sponsored HJM 201A, urging Congress to enhance rail car safety. We are calling for stronger safety standards for all rail cars transporting flammable liquids, including crude, and cars that can’t be retrofitted should be phased out. There have been a lot of questions as to what we can do at the local and state level to regulate rail traffic and the answer is: not much. Freight rail activity is overseen at the federal level by the US Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Regional offices are responsible for administering and inspecting assigned safety programs and evaluating performance. In spite of the lack of local control, I am pleased to report that the US DOT issued an Emergency Order requiring stricter standards to transport crude oil by rail. Effective immediately, those who offer crude oil for transportation by rail must ensure that the product is properly tested and classified in accordance with federal safety regulations. The Emergency Order also requires that all Class III crude oil shipments be designated as Packing Group I or II, thereby requiring the use of a more robust tank car. Packing Group III, a lower risk designation, will not be accepted, until further notice. This should go a long ways toward addressing many of the concerns voiced by those communities most impacted by rail traffic. In advance of this Emergency Order, railroad owner/operators were already stepping up safety measures. In the past few weeks an agreement was drafted between the Association of American Railroads and the US DOT to adopt wide-ranging safety measures and thousands of strengthened tank cars have been ordered. In our district, and all along the lower Columbia, rail is operated by Portland & Western Railroad, and they have committed to rail safety and the prosperity of our region. In Oregon, ODOT’s Rail Division is doing their part by continuing to inspect tracks, hazardous materials and operating practices. Although they are not authorized to set policy, as the agent for the FRA they are the boots-on-the-ground inspectors who make sure safe practices are being followed. Finally, I must believe that the passage of HJM 201, along with all of the other states that passed similar legislation, made a difference. There is strength in numbers. My office will continue to monitor the situation to make sure that the transport of hazardous materials receives the diligent inspection that it deserves and that the safety of my constituents and their communities remains at the forefront of rail commerce in District 31 and throughout our state. Bills of Interest… SB 1541: Reinstates the tax credit to farmers for donations to children, the homeless, unemployed, elderly or low-income individuals. HB 4055: Includes prepaid cell phones in the funding stream for 911 beginning in October 2015. SB 1577A: Establishes the “Silver Alert” program, a public notification system to broadcast information on missing persons, primarily seniors with Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, or other mental disabilities, in order to aid in their return. SB 1563: Increases the cap on entrepreneurial development loans from $70,000 to $100,000, and extends the loan period from five to ten years. Free Training to Help Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence With the on-going debate in Columbia County over jail funding and the possibility of its closure, SAFE of Columbia County has seen a groundswell of concern about the effects on victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The organization, which was founded in 1979 as Columbia County Women’s Resource Center, is the county’s only agency specializing in support and advocacy services for domestic and sexual violence survivors. SAFE also operates the county’s only emergency shelter, a 24-bed facility known as The Starting Place. In 2013, SAFE served 865 individuals in its advocacy and shelter programs. It also provided prevention education to 262 students in three Columbia County schools. With strain on the agency’s budget and capacity and with the potential for even greater need in the months to come, SAFE relies on community support and volunteers to ensure that individuals are able to access safety planning and support networks throughout the county. Beginning March 6 and running through March 15, SAFE will offer a 40 Hour Basic Advocacy Training, which is free to anyone interested in directly serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact Katie Troha, Volunteer Coordinator and DVSA advocate to register and for more information: 503.397.7110 ext. 19 or katiet@safeofcolumbiacounty.org. The training meets State of Oregon’s standards for individuals who work with domestic and sexual violence survivors. The training helps volunteers understand the causes and effects of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and empowers volunteers to calmly and compassionately assist victims in crisis situations. Volunteers who complete the 40 hour training receive a certificate and will qualify to serve as crisis line operators, community navigators, support group facilitators, and a number of other roles within SAFE’s organization. They will also be better equipped to provide care to others in their personal and/or professional lives. continued on page 11
