By Alan Journet of SOCAN

Efforts to hold governments responsible for applying the Public Trust Doctrine to protecting our
environment for future generations have been unsuccessful where state constitutions do not explicitly
guarantee residents the right to clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment free from climate
change. This is in contrast to states where the presence of such a guarantee has been correlated with
judicial success. Oregon is one of the states that lacks such a constitutional guarantee.

A newly formed group of collaborating individuals and organizations, with which SOCAN is
collaborator, is attempting to redress this oversight. The Oregon Coalition for an Environmental Right
Amendment (ocera) is developing a plan to amend the state constitution via ballot measure (the only
way such an amendment can be undertaken). For more information, visit bit.ly/48zijlX.

It seems that a constitutional amendment is necessary if Oregonians are to achieve responsible
protection of our natural environment, including clean air, clean water, and a stable climate. While no
right is absolute, an appropriate constitutional amendment could provide an enforceable right requiring
the State to do its best to protect the environment, in the public interest, based on the best available
science. The justification for such an amendment comprises both legal and moral imperatives. The
coalition held its kick-off in Salem on May 4 th and now seeks Oregonians interested in promoting the
effort.

At the monthly SOCAN general meeting on Tuesday May 28 th at the Medford Public Library (205, S.
Central Avenue) Mel Martin from the OCERA strategy committee will deliver a presentation introducing
the efforts of OCERA and inviting Southern Oregonians to join the campaign. SOCAN’s general meetings

are free and open to the public.