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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 30, 2012)
NEWS BRIEFS CONTINUED FROM P. 7 redacted public records requests by OPB’s EarthFix. The port has since confirmed it is in negotiations with Mitsui, Metro Ports and Korean Electric Power Company. Eugene- based Beyond Toxics and the Sierra Club have been battling the port over releasing full public records on the coal export plan. DeFazio says when it comes to coal exports, “There’s really nothing to support or oppose. There are conditions under which coal can be exported, and what I can do to mitigate that potential problem.” DeFazio says he contacted the International Port of Coos Bay in January about fugitive dust and said, “I’d like to see negotiating totally enclosed cars which can’t leak dust.” DeFazio says according to his research, “It is entirely feasible to ship coal in an enclosed car.” And he says the coal could be unloaded in an enclosed facility with scrubbers and misters to control the coal dust. He says it’s unclear whether enclosed shipping can be required and that might require legislative action. Coal opponents are concerned not only about the effects of coal dust on Eugene as the trains go through town, but also on farms and natural areas the coal cars would pass through. DeFazio worked to secure millions in grant money and federal funds to restore the Coos Bay Rail Link that runs from Eugene to the coast. He says he helped secure the line from a hedge fund company that wanted to “buy it and rip it up.” The loss of the line meant lost jobs, DeFazio ACTIVIST ALERT says, and the restored rail link diverts trucks from the roads. He says at the moment the rail line would be totally incapable of carrying the proposed trainloads of coal and when asked if federal funds would be used to improve the line replied that “changes or improvements would have to be paid for by the shipper.” DeFazio says that while Eugene is free to pass a resolution against coal trains through the city — the vote on a resolution was delayed until September — “but under the WTO, which I voted against, and the federal law commerce clause, we can’t ban the shipment of coal.” DeFazio says that hazardous chemical loads, such as chlorine tankers that could “potentially kill thousands of people,” can’t be legally kept off the rail lines. Some have speculated that DeFazio has taken more right-leaning stances - Rep. Peter DeFazio on issues such as coal or logging because of the opposition he faces in the election from Tea Party Republican Art Robinson, but DeFazio says, “I don’t find any grounds for agreement with Art Robinson on anything.” He points to statements such as one printed in the November 1993 issue of Robinson’s Access to Energy: “Moreover, it now appears likely that the release of carbon through the burning of coal, oil and natural gas during the past century has already increased the total mass of plants and animals on the earth and contributed positively to the lush environment that we now enjoy.” DeFazio calls such comments “nutcase statements.” — Camilla Mortensen • The Occupy Eugene Foreclosure Committee will hold a roundtable discussion on the new Oregon Foreclosure Law, which gives homeowners new rights to help defend against foreclosure at 7 pm Thursday, Aug. 30, at EWEB. Contact Fergus Mclean at 937-3034 for more information. • The local BikeInShapes bike blog is organizing a Labor Day “Be Noble” Ribbon Ride celebrating the life of Erin Noble. The mountain bike ride begins at 6:30 pm Monday at St. Martin’s Trailhead and will finish at the Ninkasi Tasting Room, 272 Van Buren St. Ninkasi will be donating 25 percent of beer sales to Erin Noble’s Fund to Save the Amazon Creek Headwaters. See bikesinshape.wordpress.com for a map of the route. • A 2013 pavement rehabilitation project for Willamette Street from 19th to 24th avenues is the topic of a neighborhood open house at 7 pm Tuesday, Sept. 4, at Washington Park Cottage, 2025 Washington St. Contact reed.c.dunbar@ci. eugene.or.us for more information. • Oregon Wild will preview the documentary film A Fierce Green Fire: the Battle for a Living Planet will be shown with a discussion panel at 6:30 pm Wednesday, Sept. 5, at the Knight Law Center, Room 110 at UO. See the trailer at oregonwild.org • Health Care for All-Eugene will meet at 7 pm Wednesday, Sept. 5, at EWEB. The group is organizing a new campaign with 55 Oregon organizations moving forward for single payer health care. Email ruthduemler@comcast.net to get on the mailing list. ‘There are conditions under which coal can be exported, and what I can do to mitigate that potential problem.’ CORRECTIONS/CLARIFICATIONS • In our “Celebrate the Music” story last week about musicians performing at the Eugene Celebration, we inadvertently got the call letters mixed up for KRVM, the radio station that was sharing the stage with Eugene Weekly. • In our News Briefs story last week, “A Conservative Position on Pot,” we left out the word “million” in the third paragraph. It should read: “regulating marijuana like wine would generate more than $140 million per year in taxes — which could be put into both the general fund and drug treatment programs, while eliminating the unsavory elements related to the black market.” Activities Eugene Sunday Streets is a FREE community Amazon Park event that opens the streets for people to run, 12:00 – 4:00 bike, walk and roll along a car-free route connecting Eugene’s Fairmount, South University, and Amazon Neighborhoods. This fun-for-all ages event features activity centers with Eugene Masonic Cemetery try-for-free fitness classes, live music, and games at Amazon, University and Washburne Parks. Event Route 19th Ave University St Activity Centers Restrooms No Parking on Route 22nd Ave Emerald St 23rd Ave University Park 24th Ave Columbia St Elinor St Onyx St University St Potter Harris Kincaid 27th Ave Agate St 26th Ave Alder EUGENE WEEKLY Hilyard St 8 AUGUST 23, 2012 Amazon Park 12:00 - 1:30 12:00 – 4:00 12:00 – 4:00 12:30 – 1:00 1:00 – 1:30 1:00 - 2:30 1:00 – 4:00 1:30 – 3:00 2:30 – 4:00 3:00 – 3:30 3:30 – 4:00 Upstart Crow Performance SELCO Yard Games SUNA Self-Guided Walking Tour Partner Yoga Kids Yoga Sustainability Walking Tour Petanque Yoga Fundamentals Stephan Nance (folk rock) Sun Salutations Yoga for Athletes All yoga at University Park provided by Eugene Yoga Nixon St Masonic Cemetery Learn more or sign up to volunteer: eugenesundaystreets.org Call to volunteer: 541-501-0390 Find the Veterans Game Masonic Cemetery Walking Tour Masonic Cemetery Walking Tour Washburne Park Miami Ln 25th Ave Washburne Park 21st Ave Onyx St Harris St Eugene Sunday Streets is brought to you by: Kincaid St Alder St Hilyard St Sunday, September 9th NOON - 4:00 PM Potter St Bike Parking 20th Ave 12:00 – 4:00 1:00 – 2:00 3:00 – 4:00 University Park 18th Ave Motor Vehicle Access Points 1:00 – 2:00 2:00 – 2:30 Bicycle Expo, Bicycle Registration with Eugene Police, Kids Traffic Garden and Helmet Decorating Tricycle Drag Races Track Stand Competition 12:00 – 12:30 DJ Rain on Stage 12:00 – 4:00 Slacklining 12:30 – 2:00 Barefoot Leroy on Stage (Americana) 12:30 – 1:30 Hula Hoop Class 1:30 – 2:30 Acro-Yoga Demonstration– Bring-Your-Own-Mats (if you have one) 2:00 – 2:30 DJ Rain on Stage 2:30 – 4:00 Conjugal Visitors on Stage (bluegrass) Look for Samba Ja (Brazilian percussion ensemble) playing along 24th from 1:00 – 3:00! 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