Trump and the Cascades: How Federal Environmental Policies May Impact the Northwest

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WHAT: Public forum for journalists examining Trump environmental policies

WHERE: Seattle Aquarium, 1483 Alaskan Way, Pier 59, Seattle, WA 98101

WHEN: July 6, 2017, 5:00-7:00 p.m. (reception to follow)

WHO: Society of Environmental Journalists

 

 

SEATTLE — Climate change and scientific research. Ocean acidification and forest health. Fossil fuel transportation and clean energy. President Donald Trump's sweeping changes in federal environmental policy and proposed funding cuts will have a profound impact on these issues in the Pacific Northwest as Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and Oregon Gov. Kate Brown voice their opposition to Trump's policies and positions. 

 

Leading journalists and top policy experts, including former EPA Region 10 Administrator Dennis McLerran, will examine how Trump administration environmental policies and regulations may impact, or are impacting, the Pacific Northwest at a forum July 6 at the Seattle Aquarium. 

 

The Society of Environmental Journalists, the world’s leading such group of professional reporters who cover a wide spectrum of these issues, is hosting this public forum for working journalists, opinion leaders, policy makers and other key stakeholders from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Reception to follow. 

 

“The natural environment and all that is tied to it is at the core of our Pacific Northwest,” said veteran Seattle journalist Jeff Burnside, an SEJ Board Member. “So this journalists’ forum will be of great interest to working reporters, news editors and other stakeholders.”

 

Journalists serving on the SEJ Board of Directors from across the U.S. will also be at the forum. “Changes in Trump administration environmental policies are not solely a Washington DC news story,” said SEJ President Bobby Magill, a New York-based senior science writer for Climate Central. “It’s a news story that impacts the special places across this country, which is why this forum is so important and newsworthy.”

 

For example, Trump policies could affect upcoming expansion of protections for endangered Southern Resident killer whales. After recent satellite research revealed the orca travel and feed along the Northern California and Oregon coasts, NOAA is preparing to detail its proposed protections in those areas, potentially impacting commercial fishing and coastal watersheds. NOAA still lacks a permanent administrator.

 

The forum will be composed of two moderated panels. The policy panel will seek to examine the impact of, and response to, specific federal actions whether they have already occurred or may occur in the future. Policy panelists are Karen McGaffey, Partner and Chair for Environment, Energy & Resources, Perkins Coie; former EPA Region 10 Administrator McLerran (now with Cascadia Law Group); and Washington Environmental Council Government Affairs Director Darcy Nonemacher. The journalists’ panel will seek to identify stories and examine the reporter’s role in covering them. Journalist panelists are Seattle Post-Intelligencer reporter and columnist Joel Connelly; Crosscut executive editor Greg Hanscom; Seattle Times reporter Lynda Mapes; and Robert McClure, InvestigateWest executive director.

 

KUOW environment reporter John Ryan will moderate the journalists panel. Burnside will moderate the policy panel.

 

The reporting done by members of SEJ are read or viewed daily by millions of news consumers across North America and overseas. The mission of the SEJ is to strengthen the quality, reach and viability of journalism across all media to advance public understanding of environmental issues. SEJ provides critical support to journalists of all media in their efforts to cover complex issues of the environment responsibly. SEJ addresses its mission and vision through effective programs designed by and for journalists who produce environmental coverage. To join, donate or learn more, go to www.sej.org

 

The forum is underwritten by a grant from the Bullitt Foundation and in cooperation with environmental news site Grist.