community
december6
2018
Bonamici Bulletin
By Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici
It has been exciting to
start working with my new
colleagues in the House.
We welcomed several
amazing, qualified mem-
bers-elect, including many
women. The diversity of the incoming
members better reflects the population of
our country, and their voices will help Con-
gress better address the issues that matter
most.
I will continue working on the
issues that matter most to you: climate
change, affordable health care, quality
public education, strengthening our work-
force, and more.
Averting a Climate Crisis
In its latest attempt to diminish
science, the Trump administration re-
leased the Fourth National Climate Assess-
ment on the day after Thanksgiving when
they thought no one was paying attention.
But make no mistake – we noticed, and we
will fight for real action to protect our en-
vironment.
The National Climate Assess-
ment is too important, and too urgent, to
ignore. Without intervention, we will see
heat waves, more acidic oceans, raging
wildfires, unprecedented hurricanes, rising
sea levels, and a surge in extreme weather
patterns – all in our lifetime. Every day un-
til the new Congress starts and Democrats
are in the Majority, I will be sharing on
Twitter important findings from the report.
Please like, share, and retweet #Climate-
CrisisCountdown to raise awareness about
climate change and how it affects us all.
Investing in On-the-Job Training
Efforts to get our economy back
on track have benefited some, but far too
many workers are still struggling to make
ends meet. This month I spoke on the
House floor in honor of National Appren-
ticeship Week and Women in Apprentice-
ship Day to advocate for more investments
in apprenticeships and work-based learn-
ing programs.
In Oregon, we’re leading the way.
Women’s participation in Registered Ap-
prenticeship programs is more than double
the national average. Industry partner-
ships, like those at the Oregon Manufac-
turing Innovation Center (OMIC), support
the creation of apprenticeship programs
that benefit workers and the economy as
Elusive Coastal Marten
Proposed for Protection
Under Endangered Species Act
Concurrent proposed special
rule would exempt some routine
forest activities from restriction
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser-
vice is proposing to list the coastal dis-
tinct population segment (DPS) of the
Pacific marten as a threatened species un-
der the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
The coastal marten is a secretive cat-
sized predator that only lives in coastal
Oregon and northern coastal California.
Coastal martens are stealthy hunters that
lurk in dense shrub cover or areas with
closed forest canopy. Major factors con-
tributing to the coastal marten’s decline
include loss of habitat, wildfire, and in-
creased threat from predators.
The coastal marten historically
occurred throughout the coastal forests
of northwestern California and Oregon.
These mammals currently exist in four
small and isolated populations with a
population size that could be as low as
400 individuals or fewer.
The Service evaluated stressors
that may be impacting coastal marten
populations, including loss of habitat,
wildfire, changing climate, trapping, ve-
hicle mortality, vegetation management,
exposure to toxicants, threats from preda-
tors and effects associated with small and
isolated populations. After a thorough
evaluation of the best information and
data available, the Service concluded that
the cumulative impact of these stressors
rises to the level that the DPS warrants
listing as threatened.
If finalized, an ESA listing would
mean coastal martens and their habitat
are protected against harm (referred to
as “take” under the act). However, the
Service recognizes that certain forestry
management activities associated with
this species, while causing some take of
martens, actually benefit population and
are necessary for public safety. Accord-
ingly, the Service is using the flexibilities
inherent in the ESA to propose a spe-
cial rule that would exempt certain for-
est management activities from the act’s
take prohibitions. Activities proposed for
a whole. I stand ready to fight for
policies to help more people access
better-paying jobs and meet the de-
mands of our local employers.
Standing Up for the LGBTQ
Community
The Trump administration
is proposing to redefine ‘gender’ in
a way that would take away protec-
tions for 1.3 million transgender
Americans and for those who are
gender non-binary or intersex. I
firmly oppose these harmful efforts.
Equality for everyone and the right
to privacy are fundamental Ameri-
can values that we hold dear as Or-
egonians. I stand with those in the
transgender community and will
continue to speak out when anyone
disrespects you or tries to silence
your voice.
Don’t Forget: It’s Time to Sign
Up for Health Care!
Open Enrollment for health
insurance only lasts until December
15, so don’t miss your chance to
get covered for 2019. Most people
qualify for financial help and eight
in ten people can get covered for
less than $75 per month.
Contact Congresswoman Bon-
amici: Washington, D.C.
439 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-0855
Fax: (202) 225-9497
Beaverton Office
12725 Southwest Millikan Way,
Suite 220
Beaverton, OR 97005
Phone: (503) 469-6010
Fax: (503) 469-6018
3
Publisher and Managing Editor
Scott Laird
503-367-0098
scott@vernoniasvoice.com
Contributors
Congresswoman
Suzanne Bonamici
Superintendent Aaron Miller
Photography
Scott Laird
Want to advertise?
Have an article?
Contact: scott@vernoniasvoice.com
One year subscriptions
(24 issues) $35
Vernonia’s Voice is published
on the 1st and 3rd Thursday
of each month.
Vernonia’s Voice, LLC
PO Box 55
Vernonia, OR 97064
503-367-0098
continued on page 7
FULL
SPORTS
PACKAGE!
Cedar Side Inn
Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-7
EVENTS
• Specialty hamburgers
• 8 Draft beers & mixed drinks
• 5 Craft beers on tap
• Pool tables & satelite TV
• Free Wi-fi
• Beer & Kegs to go
Sun - Thurs 11 AM - Midnight •
733 Bridge St, Vernonia
Sat, Dec 8, 8:00 pm
Tavern Story Time
Willy Vlautin’s
A Jockey’s Christmas
“BIKER FRIENDLY”
Fri - Sat 11 AM - 2:30 AM
• 503-429-9999
Taco Tuesday
from opening until 9pm
3 hardshell or 1 softshell $4.25
Ladies’ Night
every Thursday 6pm-close
• Free Pool • Free WiFi • Specialty Pizzas
iheck our Facebook page for daily specials and upcoming events
756 Bridge Street, Vernonia
503-429-5841