Update from the Western Region TOSC and TAB Programs

In September, the Western Region TAB program helped organize the 2002 Oregon Brownfields Conference. The event was the fourth annual conference held in Oregon and drew record attendance. More than 200 representatives from local government, state and federal government, and the private sector met to learn about the new brownfields legislation and the redevelopment process.

Presenters led sessions on financial resources, environmental liability, investigation and cleanup of contamination, and sustainable development. A fieldtrip gave attendees a chance to visit Portland area redevelopment projects and talk with the developers, government leaders, and consultants that made the projects happen.

The Western Region TAB program joined with many others to organize the event. Other sponsors included: the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, the Portland Brownfield Showcase Program, Rural Development Initiatives, Inc., and the Northwest Environmental Business Council.

For more information about the conference and assistance with organizing similar events please contact Michael Fernandez at (michael.fernandez@orst.edu, 541-737-4023) or Jerry Orlando at (jerry.orlando@orst.edu, 541-737-5736).