How are we feeling about this? Any foresters/ecologists have insight for us?

EWEB: Is the Willamette Treatment Plant being built to support data centers in Eugene?

These plants are notorious for cropping up in secret before people can react in an officially sanctioned way. Lookout has tried to dig up more information, but tech companies have not responded to requests for comment: Eugene asked to confirm if data center allowed at former Hynix site

There was also a request made for more information on zoning back in July of this year, and whether or not a site near the West Eugene wetlands would be suitable for a data center: FAQs: Understanding City review of allowed uses of the property at 1830 Willow Creek

These wetlands provide vital habitat for native species and also filter our drinking water it. Without it, you can kiss that free tap water goodbye.

I welcome any other resources you can post and sharing of this thread. And for those of you unaware of why people are pushing back against these data centers, you could read this article from the Harvard Gazette. Or, just google it, because people have seen its impacts on the local environment and communities already.

We have a city council meeting about this in less than a week, and you are encouraged to show up. 7:30pm at City Hall (500 East 4th. Avenue/the old EWEB building) on Monday the 14th. If you cannot come in person, you can submit written testimony, as well, or watch digitally.

For details on the City Council meeting and to sign up for speaking time, go here: https://www.eugene-or.gov/3360/Webcasts-and-Meeting-Materials

Now is the time to get loud! We are not alone, and we must protect the Eugene we love, its water, its animals, and its people!

Update: The use of this land has been reportedly denied to the data center that wanted to build there. The official document is here. But the fight is not quite finished, so do not become complacent! We must now watch for an appeal to this decision.

From the Oregonian.

How are we feeling about these data centers?

"This map shows public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management in western Oregon. The Trump administration is seeking to eliminate old-growth and wildlife protections to facilitate “maximum” logging capacity across 2.5 million acres of public lands. The proposal includes reducing logging buffers for endangered fish, potentially eliminating old-growth reserves, and expanding clearcutting and similar aggressive logging practices, which the agency has previously acknowledged increase fire risk."

If you value our beauty, our animals, our air and our water, write and call your representatives! Don't know who that is? Find out, here!

Congress: https://democracy.io/#/

Oregon house of representatives: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/house/Pages/RepresentativesDistrict.aspx

Couldn't hurt to talk to your mayors, too! Here are the Eugene officials: https://www.eugene-or.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2589/Mayor-and-City-Council-Contact-Information?bidId=

And here is Springfield's Mayor VanGordon: https://springfield-or.gov/city/mayor-and-city-council/mayor/

Let's get the ball rolling, before Trump allows the destruction of the irreplaceable!

I hear it's experimental, will it still be around after this month?

Really, though. How many times have you talked to somebody and had them go silent? How many times have you tried to wave and smile to be walked past? How many times have you stood quietly outside of the group of people talking because even though you knew each other to some extent, you were not a part of the conversation?

How many times were you told you were not allowed to join a group? How many parties have you been left out of? How many times have you walked into a room and had your wave met with sudden silence and a glare? How about having baking goods, made for everybody (including those with your dietary restrictions), that you spend your scant paycheck on and hours making denied by a person who literally said they were trying to fatten themselves up for no apparent reason?

Have you ever had to decipher whether or not somebody's friendliness is genuine? Did they really mean it when they told you "What are friends for?" or said that you were a friend? Have you ever had to ask if you were making somebody uncomfortable, or for clarification on where you stand with them?

Have you ever texted somebody who told you that you were friends and treated you kindly at multiple points only for them to ignore you for 14 messages in a row? For weeks? And felt like a desperate creep?

Have you ever waited on a response, not wanting to throw away two plus years of contact, hoping they'd answer? Have you ever been bypassed when you were hoping they'd step outside with you for a few moments to talk? Or had your voice ignored while they left with their much cooler friends?

I have never, EVER seen you face rejection. You're talented, and beautiful, and funny, and intelligent, with great moves and a great fashion sense, and even the girls you've scorned cannot help but love you.

The inconsistency from you is the worst part. I cannot understand how someone like you works. You seem so kind hearted. You've been there for me when you could have easily shut me down. But alternatively, you are so incredibly cold. And if it didn't fall on deaf ears, if you wouldn't likely ignore me crying, I would tell you to your face that you've hurt me. Again.

You know, I really don't think I know you well enough to call you my friend, although I wanted to.

At this point, everybody knows how I feel about you. Everybody. If you do not know it by now, how could I make it both clear to you and continue trying my best to obscure it from people who shouldn't know? Yesterday, I told three women about how you had come into my life and unexpectedly, over the course of years, become one of its focuses, through admiration and anger. They know now that you are not some mythical being, dreamed up by a lonely woman, but a living, breathing person of unusual gifts and beauty.

The rumors of us among your circle alone were enough. I endured them all. Given our circumstances, perhaps there are many reasons that, even if you are single, you should not be with me.

But all of the coldness, the times I saw you fall for another, all of the whispered things that can only hint at what you must think of me...I myself try to tear away with each new wave of hurt, only to be pulled in again with a dance, a conversation, anything that shows me you care for me. You are so sweet. Your attention is so fleeting.

Do I repulse you? Did I sweat too much? Am I too needy? I have asked so many times if I bother you. And I can see why you would lie, if I do. After all, your friends do seem to like to give people "the idea", rather than rejecting them kindly and outrightly.

Please, just accept the affection I give you. I may not have long to do so before you leave. You may forget all about me, and if you do, all I will have are memories. I want more of the ones of us laughing and grinning at each other.

I have done all I could to normalize it, to offer similar favors to others so that I could continue to quietly adore you. I was trying to subtract the pressure of my emotions upon you, hoping you would be happy to eat sweets, or tell me about your day, or laugh with me, thinking that I would treat any other with the same preference. It makes others happier, which brings me joy, as well. But it's not their smiles that I dream of.

This isn't just about romance. It's friendship. You don't have to love me past that.

HR 8330 is being brought before the house as we scroll. It aims to protect oil and gas from all liability:

.https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/8330?s=2&r=1

Do you feel like taking away the right to sue industries infamous for damaging the health of its employees, the environment, and surrounding people is a good idea? Because I sure as hell don't!

Contact your representatives!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

EDIT: Val Hoyle https://hoyle.house.gov/contact is who you have to contact, at this point, but I will leave up the information for the others as well, just in case you still have something you'd like to say to them.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In Eugene, that's Nancy Nathanson. https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/nathanson

In Springfield, that's John Lively. https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/lively

If you're somewhere else, find your representative here: https://ziplook.house.gov/htbin/findrep_house?ZIP=97405

Spread the word! Try to purchase accordingly! Invest in clean energy, not oil and coal!