| Environmental Principles and Priorities: Investing in Oregon's Environment |
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| Why is this important? What are the key issues? |
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Total spending on natural resources and environmental management by Oregon is a relatively small percentage of the total state budget. Yet, this small investment returns significant dividends. An even smaller percentage of state general tax dollars are used to support natural resource and environmental programs. Much of the expense is borne by the people who are directly served or regulated by these programs. Campers and boaters pay a large share of the costs of meeting their recreational needs. Hunters and anglers finance most of the cost of their sport as well as untold conservation enhancements that benefits us all. Industries pay for the state’s costs associated with environmental permits and monitoring. And the forest industry and private woodland owners pay harvest taxes to support the work of state foresters. Compared to elsewhere, the cost to taxpayers in Oregon relative to the quality of environment is a real bargain. The return on investment is expressed in abundant game populations, a large and diverse system of parks, open space and trails; well-managed state and private forest lands that offer multiple benefits as well as fiber for our economy; improved water quality in our streams and a land use system that has prevented sprawl and preserved prime farm and forestlands.
Oregonians have been quick to recognize that their investment in natural resources and the environment has been well-managed and delivered a tangible benefit. They have also readily recognized when more investment is needed and where our land, resources and wildlife have been neglected and become strained and diminished. The adoption of Ballot Measure 66 in 1998, which dedicated 15% of state lottery dollars to parks and watershed restoration is an outstanding example of our willingness to invest more when needed. Likewise, the men and women who purchase hunting and fishing licenses were quick to support an increase in their fees in 2003 when the need became apparent.
Human services, education and public safety represent the largest part of the state budget. Most of the cost of these three areas is dependent, now and in the future, on general tax dollars. Not surprisingly, there is little discretionary spending available in these areas. Thus, the prospect of increasing our investment in natural resources and the environment with general taxes is not good. Nevertheless, there are many strategies I intend to promote that will ensure that the investments we do make, and the increased spending we seek, are used efficiently to achieve the best return on investment.
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