Along with the community organizing work, OPAL is concerned with the lack of voice and opportunity in local government–Portland is unique in having 5 levels of government authority (Federal, State, County, City and METRO, the only regionally elected government in the United States).
To that end, OPAL has crafted a legislative summary of environmental justice work for its’ OPAL People and Policy Campaign (OPP), as well as the 2007 General Legislative session in Salem. OPAL wrote the summary as part of the Oregon Conservation Network (OCN), an advocacy arm of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters (OLCV), and hopes to broaden the work of the OPP campaign to address policy and ordinance issues around gentrification and displacement, toxic exposure, citizens right-to-know, and inclusionary zoning.
Building on OPAL’s community organizing, we work to track, analyze and advocate for public policy which meets environmental, economic and social equity criteria. OPAL is a leading community member of the Oregon Governor’s Environmental Justice Task Force, and participates in various local and state public policy efforts that relate to environmental justice including:
- Portland Air Toxics
- Columbia River Crossing
- East Portland Action Plan
- Oregon Health Nail Salons Collaborative
- Oregon Conservation Network
- Urban League State of Black Oregon Advocacy
