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A coalition working to preserve and nurture a healthy regional system of parks, trails and natural areas

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  2. Action Alerts & Recent Advocacy

Action Alerts & Recent Advocacy

Action Alerts

To receive action alerts by email, please make sure you are signed up for our partner listserv.

2025 Oregon State Legislative Priorities 

1. Prioritize trails and green infrastructure in a transportation package.

The Intertwine Alliance is part of Move Oregon Forward, a transportation justice campaign. Our role in the campaign is to elevate trails and green infrastructure in the broader conversation about transportation priorities and funding. We stand with the Oregon Trails Coalition in our top ask being an additional $50 million for the massively oversubscribed Oregon Community Paths Program.

Currently included in the package is HB 3362, a tire pollution tax to fund salmon restoration, wildlife crossings, and rail transit. We support this! 

STATUS: The draft framework released in late April is a good starting place and includes many of Move Oregon Forward's priorities. But the attached dollars aren't anywhere near sufficient yet, so we've got our advocacy work cut out for us the next two months. Stay tuned for opportunities to testify.


2. Keep Oregon's trails open. Pass SB SB 179

The Intertwine Alliance and many partners helped pass temporary legislation in 2024 to shore up Oregon's recreational immunity law and reopen trails through the end of this year. Now we're seeking lasting protections through SB 179. SB 179 removes the sunset from the current law.

Recreational Immunity refers to laws that encourage public and private landowners to open their land to the public free of charge by providing basic liability protections. Access to nature and outdoor recreation provides so many benefits to individuals and communities. However, recreating in constantly changing outdoor environments also carries possible risk of injury. Without recreational immunity, landowners fear the real risk of expensive lawsuits and cannot afford to keep their trails and lands open to the public.

Intertwine Alliance support for SB 179.pdf

Intertwine Alliance support for SB 179.pdf (PDF) 128.78 KB

STATUS: SB 179  passed the Oregon Senate in March. Attached is testimony that The Intertwine Alliance submitted. On May 14, the bill passed unanimously out of the House Judiciary Committee. Rep. Mannix will carry the bill on the House floor. We don't have a date yet. This will be the last hurdle before going to the Governor's desk for signing. It's a great time to send your state legislative rep a quick note asking for their support when it goes to the House Floor, and sharing why keeping trails open is important to your community. 

Thank you to the 100+ advocates who joined us for Trails Day at the Capitol on March 10! 


3. Help county parks

Intertwine Alliance support for HB 3209.pdf

Intertwine Alliance support for HB 3209.pdf (PDF) 130.42 KB

HB 3209 updates county RV registration fees and creates a fund to clean up abandoned RVs-- taking some financial pressure off small and struggling county parks departments.

STATUS: A public hearing with the Joint Committee on Transportation was held on Mon, 3/31. Intertwine Alliance testimony is attached. Stay tuned for next steps. 


4. Support HB 2980, the Wildlife Stewardship Program

Wildlife Stewardship Program HB2980-2-19-25.pdf

Wildlife Stewardship Program HB2980-2-19-25.pdf (PDF) 975.08 KB

The Wildlife Stewardship Program will invest $1,053,000 in the Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop a Living with Wildlife public education and outreach campaign and to establish a grant program supporting Oregon’s wildlife rehabilitation centers, which serve on the frontlines of human-wildlife interaction.

The Wildlife Stewardship Program is another piece of legislation that had its origins last session, supported by a coalition led by former Intertwine Alliance Board Member Bob Sallinger. The Intertwine Alliance supported the concept then and is proud to sign on now.

STATUS: HB 2980passed unanimously out of the House Committee On Climate, Energy, and Environment with a due pass recommendation to the Joint Ways and Means Committee. It's time to send emails to the Joint Ways and Means co-chairs with your perspective on why this bill is important and should be funded. 

Senator Kate Lieber
Sen.KateLieber@oregonlegislature.gov 

Representative Tawna D. Sanchez
Rep.TawnaSanchez@oregonlegislature.gov 


Recent Advocacy Work

State 

2024 Oregon State legislative session

2023 Oregon State legislative session


Regional 

METRO: Nov 2022, Supported the campaign to pass the Parks & Nature 5-Year Operating Levy Renewal

Result: Passed with 72 percent of the vote. The levy raises approximately $19.6 million per year to protect water quality, restore habitat, and provide safe and welcoming public access to nature. 


METRO: Nov 2019, Helped run the campaign to pass the Parks & Nature Bond

Result: Passed, bringing in $475 million to protect clean water, restore fish and wildlife habitat, and provide opportunities for people to connect with nature close to home. 


Subregional

May 2024, Supported the campaign to fund the new Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District through a $150 million bond measure. The new District increases flood safety while prioritizing environmental upgrades and equity. 

Result: Passed 


TUALATIN HILLS PARK & RECREATION DISTRICT: May 2024, Participated in the YES for THPRD Parks campaign to pass a 5-year levy to preserve existing parks and service levels and improves safety and maintenance in parks, natural areas and on trails.

Result: Passed


County

Public-Testimony-Tualatin Mountains Access.pdf

Public-Testimony-Tualatin Mountains Access.pdf (PDF) 62.91 KB

MULTNOMAH COUNTY: Oct 2023, Testimony before the Board of Commissioners in support of a nature park to be developed in the Tualatin Mountains

Result: Unanimous YES vote of commission


Local 

Intertwine Alliance opposition to PGE Harborton Reliability Project .pdf

Intertwine Alliance opposition to PGE Harborton Reliability Project .pdf (PDF) 151.46 KB

CITY OF PORTLAND: April 2025, Testimony to City Council requesting them to reject approval of the PGE Haborton Reliability Project's expansion into Forest Park. 


Intertwine-Alliance-supports-BUREAU OF NATURAL RESOURCES.pdf

Intertwine-Alliance-supports-BUREAU OF NATURAL RESOURCES.pdf (PDF) 130.05 KB

CITY OF PORTLAND: Nov 2023, Testimony to City Council in favor of a Bureau of Natural Resources to be part of city restructuring

Result: Amendment failed to advance, but The Intertwine Alliance continues conversations with the City of Portland about how to best meet natural resources needs as the city structure evolves. 


Intertwine-Alliance-OPPOSITION to draft Housing-Regulatory Relief Package.pdf

Intertwine-Alliance-OPPOSITION to draft Housing-Regulatory Relief Package.pdf (PDF) 122.33 KB

CITY OF PORTLAND: Oct 2023, Testimony to Planning Commission opposing the draft Housing Regulatory Relief Package that would suspend Green Roof and Bird-Safe Glazing Requirements until 2029

Result: Package was amended to: 

  1. Reject a suspension of the bird-safe glazing requirement, while requesting staff continue researching a temporary compromise.
  2. Amend the eco-roof suspension to apply only when the roof area is dedicated to solar panels in lieu of an eco-roof.

Written-testimony-FLOODPLAIN PROTECTION.pdf

Written-testimony-FLOODPLAIN PROTECTION.pdf (PDF) 140.93 KB

CITY OF PORTLAND: August 2023, Testimony to City Council in support of a strong Floodplain Resilience Plan
 


Intertwine Alliance support for public access to Oswego Lake.pdf

Intertwine Alliance support for public access to Oswego Lake.pdf (PDF) 127.83 KB

CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO: April 2025, Testimony to City Council asking them not to appeal the court decision requiring public access to Oswego Lake. 

Result: Council voted not to appeal the decision, and public access to Oswego Lake is proceeding. This is an outcome public access advocates have been working toward for more than 10 years. 


CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO: May 2023, Testimony to City Council in favor of work started to increase ADA access to parks and nature, and in support of access to Steven Meadows

Intertwine Alliance and Oregon Trails Coalition support of equitable access to nature.pdf

Intertwine Alliance and Oregon Trails Coalition support of equitable access to nature.pdf (PDF) 134.01 KB

 

Public-Testimony Equitable Access to Nature in Lake Oswego.pdf

Public-Testimony Equitable Access to Nature in Lake Oswego.pdf (PDF) 44.81 KB

 

 

 

 


 

 


CITY OF TUALATIN: Nov 2022, Supported the campaign to pass a new Parks & Nature Bond

Result: Passed with strong voter support, bringing in $25,000,000 to finance capital costs related to trails, natural areas, sports fields, parks, and river access; and is expected to include a new east-west trail corridor and public access point on the Tualatin River, new and improved sports fields, and parks improvements citywide.


CITY OF HAPPY VALLEY: Nov 2022, Supported the campaign to renew the Parks & Recreation 5-year Operating Levy

Result: Passed with strong voter support, the funding helps maintain over 100 acres of neighborhood parks, trails and natural areas across the City and provides equitable recreation programs for residents.

The Intertwine

P.O. Box 14039 
Portland, OR 97293

503-445-0991

info@theintertwine.org

© 2016 The Intertwine Alliance
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  • Outside Voice Blog
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  • Add Event to Calendar
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Power of Partnership

  • Vision for Inclusive & Accountable Events
  • Intertwine Summit 2024
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  • Intertwine Summit 2021
  • Regional Trails Advocacy Group
  • Connecting Canopies
  • Regional Urban Tree Policy & Programs Report
  • Other Partner Convenings
  • Equity & Inclusion Cohorts
  • Regional planning documents & other resources
  • Intertwine Projects
  • Partner Spotlights

The Alliance

  • Donate
  • Mission & Vision
  • Partners of The Intertwine Alliance
  • List of Partners (PDF)
  • Join The Alliance
  • Partner Dues
  • Board of Directors/Public Advisors
  • Staff
  • Action Alerts & Recent Advocacy
  • Policy Committee
  • Advocacy Position
  • Strategic Plan 2019-2024
  • Equity Strategy
  • Land Acknowledgment
  • Partner Testimonials
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