Archive for March, 2008

Posted by Wade Nkrumah, The Oregonian March 25, 2008 17:58PM

Categories: Breaking News, Cycling, Portland

Wade Nkrumah/The Oregonian An unmarked Portland Police car prepares to pull over a motorist stopped inside the green bike box at Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard and Seventh Avenue. During a two-week grace period, police will be alerting bicyclists and motorists of violations by issuing warnings and distributing information explaining the intent and use of the boxes.

Bicyclists and motorists were on their best behavior during today’s evening commute at the intersection of Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard and Seventh Avenue.

It was all about respect for the bike box, a 14-foot-long green box painted across traffic lanes.

Of course, it helps that Lt. Bryan Parman was among about a half dozen Portland Police officers monitoring the intersection.

Parman, of the traffic division, said educating motorists will be the initial focus, with police distributing brochures explaining the changes.

Motorists who enter the boxes at a red light, or who turn right on red, could face a fine of $242. Also, subject to fines will be bicyclists who don’t go back into the bike lane on the far side of the intersection.

“Those types of yielding violations,” he said.

When traffic signals are red, only bicyclists are allowed in the green boxes. Cars and trucks must line up behind the boxes. Motorists at the intersections no longer can turn right on red, even if bicyclists aren’t in the boxes or in green-painted bike lanes leading to and from the boxes. Traditionally, Oregon law has allowed right turns on red after motorists come to a complete stop.

The goal is to reduce the chances of motorists turning into the path of bicyclists, so-called “right-hook” crashes.

Still, Lorn Hildreth, an avid recreational cyclist, wasn’t impressed while surveying the scene from the sidewalk at the intersection.

“I think it’s something that’s impeding traffic,” he said.

“As an outside sales rep, I do a lot of driving,” he said. “You have cyclists - and bike messengers are probably the worst in this city - that don’t adhere to the rules of the road. So, when I see something like this that’s trying to increase awareness .¤.¤. I don’t think it’s going to work that well. I think it’s going to create more animosity between drivers and cyclists. And I’m going to see cyclists probably take advantage of the situation.”

Parman disagrees. He believes the boxes are a good device in helping to try and prevent collisions like those that killed two bicyclists in October.

“The green paints really calls motorists attention and bicyclists attention,” he said. “This is an area where mixed modes of traffic come together. And we need everybody to have their head up and be paying attention to other vehicles.”

There will be about a two-week grace period for cyclists and motorists to adjust.

“For right now, it’s just warnings and education,” Parman said of police oversight. “We want everybody who travels this way day in, day out to get used to this and understand the rules before we start handing tickets out to people.”

The boxes are experimental, and the city will team with Portland State University to evaluate how well they work. The research, expected to last at least six months, will include videotaping motorists and bicyclists using the intersections. The city will install about a dozen of the boxes around the city during the test period.

This month, 22 billboards and signs on 40 TriMet buses have debuted with the slogan “Get Behind It” as part of an education campaign, says Rich Newlands, bike box project manager.

In addition, traffic signs installed as part of the $200,000 project will show motorists where to stop and where to yield to bicyclists, he says.

– Wade Nkrumah; wadenkrumah@news.oregonian.com

Pamplin Media Group, Mar 11, 2008

COURTESY OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH & GAME

Zebra mussels are only about the size of a dime, but they can cause millions of dollars in damage. Their appearance in California has Oregon officials concerned.

Invasive mussel species threatens Oregon

Pacific Northwest invasive species coordinators met in Portland on Feb. 26 to discuss the threat posed by a tiny shellfish that can cause big headaches.

The zebra mussel has caused millions of dollars’ worth of damage to water works and hydroelectric facilities in the eastern United States. The mussels turned up in California in January, and Oregon officials are worried that it’s only a matter of time before the pests show up here.

“They’re six and a half hours away right now. What we need to do is prevent them from getting into the state,” says Jim Gores, the invasive species and wildlife integrity coordinator for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The mussels can attach themselves to hard surfaces such as the hulls of boats and can survive out of water for up to 27 days in cool, moist conditions.

Officials fear that traveling boaters will pick up the creatures in affected waters elsewhere and infest Oregon lakes and streams when they put in here.

In addition to their impact on dams and reservoirs, Gores says the mussels can damage undeveloped waterways as well.

“They strip the plankton layer, disrupt the food chain, and slowly starve the whole ecosystem,” he says. “An anorexic salmon isn’t going to live too long.”

Scientists say ‘dead zone’ unprecedented

For each of the past six summers, an oxygen-starved “dead zone” has appeared in the ocean off Oregon’s coast. Now researchers have confirmed that this development is as unusual as it sounds.

In findings reported in the Feb. 14 issue of the journal Science, researchers led by Oregon State University’s Francis Chan confirmed that the low-oxygen events are unprecedented during the past five decades in which records have been kept.

“People keep asking us, ‘Is this situation really all that different or not?’ ” Jane Lubchenco, a professor of marine biology at OSU, said in a statement.

“Now we have the answer to that question, and it’s an unequivocal ‘yes.’ The low oxygen levels we’ve measured in the last six years are abnormally low for our system. We haven’t seen conditions like this in many, many decades, and now with varying intensity we’ve seen them in each of the last six summers.”

The low-oxygen zones develop when wind patterns cause an upwelling of nutrient-rich but oxygen-poor water to the surface. Plankton populations boom temporarily, then die. Their decomposition robs the water of what little oxygen it had left.

Scientists say the wind patterns that cause the phenomenon are consistent with theories about global warming.

Tax code changes would favor renewable energy

On Feb. 27, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008. The act contains a wide range of incentives for renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and geothermal power.

It also reduces existing credits for fossil fuels, including the controversial repeal of $18 billion in tax subsidies for oil companies.

Also included are four provisions introduced by U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore. One of these provisions eliminates the so-called “Hummer tax loophole,” which offers a tax break for the purchasers of the largest SUVs on the market.

Another creates an incentive for small wind turbines that can power individual homes, farms or businesses. Blumenauer also sponsored a commuter benefit for people who ride bicycles to work.

The bill now moves on to the Senate.

OSU researcher offers sobering climate model

An oceanographer at Oregon State University has produced one of the most sophisticated computer models yet devised for studying Earth’s climate, and the results suggest that global warming may be an even tougher challenge than many thought.

According to the simulation, even if greenhouse gas emissions are reduced now, the planet’s temperature might keep rising for another 100 to 200 years.

This assessment is the work of OSU researcher Andreas Schmittner, and was published in February in the journal Global Biogeochemical Cycles.

“The results of the model are somewhat alarming because it shows that we cannot wait until we are in danger before beginning to address global warming,” said Schmittner in a statement released by the university. “We need to be ahead of the curve.”

Schmittner’s model differs from most previous simulations in that it takes biological factors into account when making its predictions.

Other climatological models have tended to ignore the interaction between climate and phenomena like increased plankton blooms, which could exacerbate warming.

One of Schmittner’s scenarios showed that even if greenhouse emissions are reduced to zero by the year 2100, global temperatures still would rise by an additional 4 degrees Celsius over the subsequent 200 years.

Portland tops list of green cities

Portland edged out San Francisco for the title of America’s greenest city, according to a list published Feb. 8 by Popular Science magazine.

The magazine used census figures and other data to rate American cities with populations over 100,000 by 30 criteria, which were then divided into four broad categories: electricity, transportation, recycling and “green living.”

“America’s top green city has it all,” the article notes approvingly. “Half its power comes from renewable sources, a quarter of the work force commutes by bike, carpool or public transportation, and it has 35 buildings certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.”

The Rose City scored an impressive 4.8 out of 5 in two categories: green living, which counted sustainable buildings and green spaces, and “recycling and perspective,” which rated citizen attitudes toward environmental issues as well as recycling efficiency.

In spite of our buses and bike lanes, Portland’s worst score was in transportation.

– Marty Smith and Anne Marie DiStefano

 PORTLAND’S LARGEST SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLE SHOW - PORTLAND EXPO CENTER

MARCH 28-29, 2008

GREEN NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD

In case you haven’t noticed, green is hip. That means new products, new ideas and evolving attitudes. Now there’s an event in Portland where it all comes together in one place. It’s simply too good to miss.

We’ll introduce you to businesses and groups in our region that will help you make choices you feel good about. All presented in an entertaining way like you’ve never seen before. Floor Plan

6 Festival Pavilions for Shopping & Inspiration!

LIFESTYLE • HOME & GARDEN • CONSERVATION

CLEAN TECH • TRANSPORTATION • FOOD & BEVERAGE

OPENING DAY ONLY!

You’ve seen him in movies and on TV for years. Now see the star of Living with Ed on Friday, March 28 at 7:00 pm on the Sustainable Life Stage. Ed Begley, Jr has dedicated his life to helping the planet. Hear his insights on the path to a more efficient existence that can be achieved without feeling burdened, compromised or overwhelmed.

Book Signing on Friday!

Buy your very own copy of Living Like ED and get it signed signed by the author from 2 - 3 pm at The Corner Bookstore.

The SE Area ARTWalk will allow you the opportunity

to go on the EcoShuttle for a FREE, self-guided tour by visiting the studios,

home workspaces, galleries, host homes and businesses

within the “walkable/bikeable/busable” boundaries of

SE 9th - SE 41st & SE Hawthorne to SE Powell Blvd.

Shuttle runs from 10am-5pm to all the hot gallery spots every 25 minutes. Walking maps provided.

What: Portland Center Stage presents two productions simultaneously in repertory sharing sets, costumes and many of the same actors in both productions. (These two plays will be playing on alternating nights and require purchase of separate tickets.) “The Beard of Avon” is Amy Freed’s bawdy, delicious, mind-bending comedy about the true authorship of Shakespeare’s plays. An aspiring young spear carrier (Will Shakespear) is enlisted by Edward de Vere (infamous murderer, lecher and nobleman) to serve as his front man for the plays he wants to see mounted.As their partnership develops, Will’s knowledge and understanding of the theater also grows and the line between mentor and protégé gets very blurry. Who actually wrote the plays? An uneducated actor who was losing his hair? Or the brilliant but tawdry Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford? Or was it Sir Francis of Bacon? Or Christopher Marlowe? Or, dare we dream it Her Majesty, Elizabeth Regina herself. Directed by Jane Jones, Found and Co-Artistic Director of Seattle’s Book-It Repertory Theatre, whose delightful production of Pride and Prejudice was one of the hits of the 2005/2006 season.

Where: Portland Center Stage
128 NW Eleventh at Davis
Portland, Oregon 97209

How:  EcoShuttle picks you up at your home and takes your group to watch this great play!  Reserve NOW!