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David Biermann, with his son, Jacob, is one of several Southeast Portland residents concerned about the discovery of high levels of arsenic and cadmium.

(Beth Nakamura/Staff)

By Bob Stacey

The Oregonian/OregonLive editorial board correctly argues that "Portland and Oregon need a tougher DEQ."

"The scare is real," the board writes. "Pollution levels are and have been unacceptable in many places for many years."

But pointing the finger at state government is not the solution.

In a city that rightfully prides itself on being a national leader in sustainability, it has come as quite a shock for many of us to learn that Portland suffers from some of the worst urban air quality in the country. Portland has invested untold millions of dollars in urban planning, transportation infrastructure, parks and housing to create a city that we can all be proud to call home. Those forward-thinking efforts have paid huge dividends, positioning Portland as a strong leader in many emerging industries and fields of higher education, as people from all over the world flock to our beautiful city for its quality of life.

But events over the past few weeks have dealt a serious blow to our sense of security here in what many consider the most livable city in America. First, we learned that the U.S. Forest Service identified high levels of arsenic and cadmium in the air in Southeast Portland. Then we learned that there are large swaths of the city that also suffer from dangerous levels of toxic chemicals in the air. And most recently, Oregonian reporter Rob Davis reported on the Department of Environmental Quality's Portland Air Toxics taskforce, which did not produce regulatory changes or tangible benefits for public health.

As the evidence mounts, it has become crystal clear to so many people in this city that DEQ has failed to protect public health. There are many reasons why this has happened. The industry it is supposed to regulate quite literally wrote the rules that apply to their polluting activities. And the agency's budget is largely paid for by the permits issued to these industries. The system is broken.

It was therefore disappointing that the editorial board casually dismissed a strategic and systemic solution -- a regional air quality board that would assume jurisdiction from DEQ to regulate air quality in the Portland metro area. Cities and counties already have authority under existing law to set up a regional air quality board. The city of Portland and Multnomah County have already demonstrated the understanding and willingness to pass the local ordinances that are needed to put it in place.

There are many reasons to believe that a regional air authority would be more effective at protecting public health. First and foremost, a regional authority would be accountable to regional leaders and the citizens who are most affected by Portland's unique air quality problems. We would have the opportunity to start fresh and to imbue this local board with a better culture, one that keeps industry at arm's length and listens to the concerns of the public.

While there remain important specifics to resolve related to funding and the make-up of a regional board, those details should not stand in the way of giving citizens in the Portland metro area more say over their own well-being: air quality regulation of, by and for Portlanders.

With strong local leadership, we can solve this pressing problem.

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Bob Stacey is a Metro councilor who represents portions of Southeast, Southwest and Northeast Portland.