The City of Salem has begun a community-wide effort to develop a Climate Action Plan for Salem. The Climate Action Plan will set the course for the city to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and increase its resilience to climate change. The planning process will seek to develop strategies that reduce emissions and strengthen infrastructure. It will also pursue strategies that build community partnerships, spur innovation, and increase equitable access to services. This approach will help ensure Salem’s resilience through climate change expected through the coming decades.

The first step was a survey to determine a supported direction, hoping that wildfires, floods, and drought have made an impact for support. The fires of 2020 and the flood of 2012 are two of the most notable examples for a needed action plan.

While Climate Action Plan assumes drying and drought, still we are warned of a cold winter on the horizon. So, Salem has -- as is their usual practice -- removed the floating boat docks at Wallace Marine Park and Minto Brown Island Park. The floating boat docks are removed in mid–to-late Fall each year to prevent them from collecting debris, being damaged, or being carried away as river levels rise. They will be reinstalled when water levels recede in the spring.

This may all be an effort to be in line-step with Governor Brown’s next strategy for Cap and Trade. Many in the community are scratching their heads asking why now, which appears to be in contrast with Marion County.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2020-11-04 15:54:59

Last Update: 2020-11-04 19:30:25