Tracy Loew

Salem

Senior Investigative Reporter at Statesman Journal

Science and environment reporter for the Statesman Journal.

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Articles

Attempts to regulate two Marion County farmland waste pits face delays

2 weeks ago | statesmanjournal.com | Tracy Loew

Two unpermitted waste pits on Oregon farmland face regulatory challenges. The owner of one pit in Aurora is appealing a DEQ order to remediate or decommission the site. The owners of a second pit in Hubbard have received repeated deadline extensions to demonstrate their waste is clean fill. Oregon’s attempts to regulate two controversial waste pits on Marion County farmland face further delays, with an appeal and a deadline extension of Department of Environmental Quality orders.
Oregon Legislature may fund study of Willamette Valley garbage woes

2 weeks ago | registerguard.com | Tracy Loew

House Bill 3794 proposes a task force to develop solutions for solid waste disposal in the region. Coffin Butte Landfill is nearing its capacity and takes waste from several counties. There are concerns about the proposed composition of the task force. The Willamette Valley is heading for a garbage crisis following the closure of the Reworld Marion municipal waste incinerator and Coffin Butte Landfill’s looming end of life, local lawmakers said Tuesday.
Oregon Legislature may fund study of Willamette Valley garbage woes

2 weeks ago | statesmanjournal.com | Tracy Loew

House Bill 3794 proposes a task force to develop solutions for solid waste disposal in the region. Coffin Butte Landfill is nearing its capacity and takes waste from several counties. There are concerns about the proposed composition of the task force. The Willamette Valley is heading for a garbage crisis following the closure of the Reworld Marion municipal waste incinerator and Coffin Butte Landfill’s looming end of life, local lawmakers said Tuesday.
Bill to protect Oregon’s most-contaminated groundwater areas is dead

3 weeks ago | statesmanjournal.com | Tracy Loew

A bill to restrict large livestock farms in groundwater management areas is dead. The bill was opposed by farm and industry groups who argued it would duplicate existing regulations and burden small farmers. The committee chair said he wants the legislature to get serious about groundwater contamination in Morrow and Umatilla counties.
Marion County opposes bill giving local control over solid waste

3 weeks ago | statesmanjournal.com | Tracy Loew

When the Reworld garbage incinerator in Brooks shut down Dec. 31, Marion County didn’t just need to find a different place to send residents’ garbage. It also lost a substantial source of income. By keeping a portion of the tipping fees charged to haulers, as well as other revenues from the burner, the county made enough to fund around three dozen positions in its environmental service department and to sock away millions of dollars each year.
Oregon bill would provide rebates for battery-operated leaf blowers

3 weeks ago | registerguard.com | Tracy Loew

Oregon lawmakers are weighing a bill to offer rebates to professional landscapers amd contractors that purchase battery-powered leaf blowers. Proponents of the bill say gas-powered leaf blowers are noisy and emit air pollutants. A House committee voted Thursday to advance the bill to the full House for consideration. Noisy gas-powered leaf blowers could begin to be replaced with cleaner, quieter battery-operated ones under a bill under consideration in the Oregon Legislature.
Garbage company, gravel mine among those fined by DEQ in February

4 weeks ago | statesmanjournal.com | Tracy Loew

The largest fines went to Columbia River Estuary Study Taskforce and B&B Leasing Co.Violations included failing to comply with permits, corrective orders, and reporting requirements. Fines may be appealed or potentially offset by environmental improvement projects. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality levied seven fines in February, totaling $55,340.
Oregon 'green amendment' could go to voters next year

1 month ago | registerguard.com | Tracy Loew

Oregon voters could decide next year whether to amend the state Constitution to ensure citizens’ right to a clean, safe and healthy environment. Legislators are considering a bill that would put the choice on the November 2026 ballot. Oregon’s SJR 28, also known as the “green amendment,” is among efforts in at least 20 states to add environmental rights to their constitutions. Pennsylvania passed an amendment in 1971, Montana in 1972 and New York in 2022.
Hearings set on Coffin Butte landfill expansion as EPA continues investigation

1 month ago | statesmanjournal.com | Tracy Loew

Republic Services wants to expand Coffin Butte LandfillThe EPA is investigating the landfill for excessive methane releasesPublic hearings will be held in April and MayBenton County has set a series of public hearings on the possible expansion of Coffin Butte Landfill. Phoenix-based Republic Services has asked the county for a conditional use permit that will allow it to expand. The 178-acre landfill is located near Adair Village.
Meet our Mid-Valley: Molly Waldner creating app to help parents with autistic children

1 month ago | statesmanjournal.com | Tracy Loew

Frustrated by the lack of tools to track her son's behavior, Molly Waldner is developing an app called "Track It" to help other parents. The app aims to simplify behavior documentation, crucial for autism diagnosis and treatment. Track It includes features like a timer, calendar, photo gallery, and report generation, all accessible from a phone's lock screen. Molly Waldner knew something was different about her son almost from the day he was born, a week late and with blue lips.