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• 121. [Article] Who's in place, who's out of place : examining the politics of natural resource collaboration

  A qualitative research approach composed of three strategies was employed to systematically examine the politics of natural resource collaboration. First, using the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Who's in place, who's out of place : examining the politics of natural resource collaboration Author: Cheng, Antony S. A qualitative research approach composed of three strategies was employed to systematically examine the politics of natural resource collaboration. First, using the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds as a case study, the behavioral assumptions of natural resource policy instruments enabling collaboration were uncovered and analyzed. Three key assumptions emerge: 1) stakeholders are internally motivated by strong social values to work with others to save salmon and restore their watersheds; 2) stakeholders are willing to take action in their watershed but lack the capacity to do so, such as financial, technical, and information resources; 3) stakeholders are capable of learning about, testing, and processing feedback from alternative restoration approaches. Second, theoretical perspectives focusing on the social influence of place were integrated with Elinor Ostrom's behavioral theory of collective action. The resulting theoretical framework proposes that place is a variable that influences choice of behavioral strategies in natural resource collaboration by: 1) providing a means for stakeholders to identify and, therefore, understand how to relate to one another; and 2) influencing the probabilities that stakeholders can expect to interact with one another in the future. Third, a qualitative, comparative case study of two watershed councils in western Oregon applied the framework and identified three key dimensions of group identification related to place: 1) group identities related to stakeholders' interest and values in the watershed; 2) group identities related to stakeholders' ways of knowing the watershed; and 3) group identities related to social ties within the watershed. The qualitative research approach sheds light on the diverse behaviors stakeholders exhibit in natural resource collaboration. It challenges the notion that stakeholders are strictly motivated to maximize material self-interest in natural resource politics. Stakeholders vary in their interactions depending on the geographic scale of the landscape in question. The study also provides compelling evidence that stakeholders' collective identification to a shared place generates a higher likelihood of sustaining collaborative relationships and trust in one another. Title: Who's in place, who's out of place : examining the politics of natural resource collaboration Author: Cheng, Antony S. A qualitative research approach composed of three strategies was employed to systematically examine the politics of natural resource collaboration. First, using the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds as a case study, the behavioral assumptions of natural resource policy instruments enabling collaboration were uncovered and analyzed. Three key assumptions emerge: 1) stakeholders are internally motivated by strong social values to work with others to save salmon and restore their watersheds; 2) stakeholders are willing to take action in their watershed but lack the capacity to do so, such as financial, technical, and information resources; 3) stakeholders are capable of learning about, testing, and processing feedback from alternative restoration approaches. Second, theoretical perspectives focusing on the social influence of place were integrated with Elinor Ostrom's behavioral theory of collective action. The resulting theoretical framework proposes that place is a variable that influences choice of behavioral strategies in natural resource collaboration by: 1) providing a means for stakeholders to identify and, therefore, understand how to relate to one another; and 2) influencing the probabilities that stakeholders can expect to interact with one another in the future. Third, a qualitative, comparative case study of two watershed councils in western Oregon applied the framework and identified three key dimensions of group identification related to place: 1) group identities related to stakeholders' interest and values in the watershed; 2) group identities related to stakeholders' ways of knowing the watershed; and 3) group identities related to social ties within the watershed. The qualitative research approach sheds light on the diverse behaviors stakeholders exhibit in natural resource collaboration. It challenges the notion that stakeholders are strictly motivated to maximize material self-interest in natural resource politics. Stakeholders vary in their interactions depending on the geographic scale of the landscape in question. The study also provides compelling evidence that stakeholders' collective identification to a shared place generates a higher likelihood of sustaining collaborative relationships and trust in one another. Close

• 122. [Article] Geographically and environmentally driven spawning distributions of tuna species in the western Mediterranean Sea

  This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Inter-Research and can be found at: http://www.int-res.com/journals/meps/meps-home/.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Geographically and environmentally driven spawning distributions of tuna species in the western Mediterranean Sea Author: Lopez-Jurado, J. L., Balbin, R., Ciannelli, L., Alvarez-Berastegui, D., Reglero, P., Alemany, F. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Inter-Research and can be found at: http://www.int-res.com/journals/meps/meps-home/. Title: Geographically and environmentally driven spawning distributions of tuna species in the western Mediterranean Sea Author: Lopez-Jurado, J. L., Balbin, R., Ciannelli, L., Alvarez-Berastegui, D., Reglero, P., Alemany, F. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Inter-Research and can be found at: http://www.int-res.com/journals/meps/meps-home/. Close

• 123. [Article] Modulation of translational fidelity by small subunit ribosoma RNA from Escherichia coli

  Ribosomes are ribonucleoprotein particles that are essential for the process of protein synthesis in all living systems. Escherichia coli, eubacterial organisms, have ribosomes which display a 70S sedimentation ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Modulation of translational fidelity by small subunit ribosoma RNA from Escherichia coli Author: Abdul-Latif, Fazilah Ribosomes are ribonucleoprotein particles that are essential for the process of protein synthesis in all living systems. Escherichia coli, eubacterial organisms, have ribosomes which display a 70S sedimentation coefficient. They are formed by the association of two ribonucleoprotein subunits which sediment at 50S and 30S. The 30S subunit is a construct made of 21 different proteins and 16S ribosomal RNA. The 3'-terminus of this rRNA was the focus of the research recounted in this dissertation. This tract of 10 nucleotides in rRNA is absolutely conserved in eubacterial organisms and is asserted to be crucial for proper initiation of protein synthesis in eubacteria. Here I report the results of experiments done with 16S rRNA missing a part of the conserved 3'-terminus. These experiments were undertaken to provide a refinement of our understanding of the requirement for and function of this conserved segment of 16S rRNA. The deletions were made directly within mature 16S rRNA using RNase H and a 10 nucleotide synthetic DNA complementary to the 3'-terminus of 16S rRNA. The synthetic DNA was hybridized to 16S rRNA and then treated with RNase H. RNase H will only attack RNA when it is basepaired with DNA. This permits site-directed mutagenisis on the mature RNA. This deletion strategy efficiently yielded a 3'-terminal nucleotide deletion in E. coli 16S rRNA. This 3'-terminal deletion did not impair in vitro 30S subunit assembly. Therefore, the conservation of the sequence is not necessary for ribosome assembly. To investigate the functional properties of the modified particles an in vitro protein translation system primed with a natural mRNA was employed. The mRNA was viral MS2 messenger. Modified particles did translate the MS2 mRNA but the fidelity with which the translation occurred was diminished. Title: Modulation of translational fidelity by small subunit ribosoma RNA from Escherichia coli Author: Abdul-Latif, Fazilah Ribosomes are ribonucleoprotein particles that are essential for the process of protein synthesis in all living systems. Escherichia coli, eubacterial organisms, have ribosomes which display a 70S sedimentation coefficient. They are formed by the association of two ribonucleoprotein subunits which sediment at 50S and 30S. The 30S subunit is a construct made of 21 different proteins and 16S ribosomal RNA. The 3'-terminus of this rRNA was the focus of the research recounted in this dissertation. This tract of 10 nucleotides in rRNA is absolutely conserved in eubacterial organisms and is asserted to be crucial for proper initiation of protein synthesis in eubacteria. Here I report the results of experiments done with 16S rRNA missing a part of the conserved 3'-terminus. These experiments were undertaken to provide a refinement of our understanding of the requirement for and function of this conserved segment of 16S rRNA. The deletions were made directly within mature 16S rRNA using RNase H and a 10 nucleotide synthetic DNA complementary to the 3'-terminus of 16S rRNA. The synthetic DNA was hybridized to 16S rRNA and then treated with RNase H. RNase H will only attack RNA when it is basepaired with DNA. This permits site-directed mutagenisis on the mature RNA. This deletion strategy efficiently yielded a 3'-terminal nucleotide deletion in E. coli 16S rRNA. This 3'-terminal deletion did not impair in vitro 30S subunit assembly. Therefore, the conservation of the sequence is not necessary for ribosome assembly. To investigate the functional properties of the modified particles an in vitro protein translation system primed with a natural mRNA was employed. The mRNA was viral MS2 messenger. Modified particles did translate the MS2 mRNA but the fidelity with which the translation occurred was diminished. Close

• 124. [Article] Mechanistic insight into the conserved allosteric regulation of periplasmic proteolysis by the signaling molecule cyclic-di-GMP

  This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by eLife Sciences Publications Ltd. The published article can be found at: http://elifesciences.or...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Mechanistic insight into the conserved allosteric regulation of periplasmic proteolysis by the signaling molecule cyclic-di-GMP Author: Boyd, Chelsea D., Sondermann, Holger, Cooley, Richard B., O'Toole, George A., Chatterjee, Debashree, Mehl, Ryan A. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by eLife Sciences Publications Ltd. The published article can be found at: http://elifesciences.org/. Title: Mechanistic insight into the conserved allosteric regulation of periplasmic proteolysis by the signaling molecule cyclic-di-GMP Author: Boyd, Chelsea D., Sondermann, Holger, Cooley, Richard B., O'Toole, George A., Chatterjee, Debashree, Mehl, Ryan A. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by eLife Sciences Publications Ltd. The published article can be found at: http://elifesciences.org/. Close

• 125. [Article] Marine Protected Areas: A Case Study in Northerneastern Iloilo, Philippines

  Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can be considered as one of powerful conservation tools of fishery resource management in the literature. However, due to continuing environmental awareness and mismanagement, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Marine Protected Areas: A Case Study in Northerneastern Iloilo, Philippines Author: Fernandez, Cheryl Joy Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can be considered as one of powerful conservation tools of fishery resource management in the literature. However, due to continuing environmental awareness and mismanagement, the Philippine government has decentralized the power of legislation and management of its MPAs since the early 2000. This encouraged participation of various sectors such as the Local Government Units, Non-government Organizations, the academes, business enterprises, and multinational corporations though; it has very low success rate statistics. This paper presents an overview of MPA management in Northeastern Iloilo, Philippines and examines its several management strategies. It examines the interaction between the civil society and market forces of institutional arrangements in Northeastern Iloilo, Philippines. It further aims to determine the main conflict that causes trade off outcomes in terms of analyzing strategic interactions among economic agents of the different regimes. Several scenarios that resemble conflict between various national, local and international sectors are discussed. It also shows that conflict is one of the reasons why the country has very low success rate statistics - thus a proper evaluation current scenario is imminent. Title: Marine Protected Areas: A Case Study in Northerneastern Iloilo, Philippines Author: Fernandez, Cheryl Joy Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can be considered as one of powerful conservation tools of fishery resource management in the literature. However, due to continuing environmental awareness and mismanagement, the Philippine government has decentralized the power of legislation and management of its MPAs since the early 2000. This encouraged participation of various sectors such as the Local Government Units, Non-government Organizations, the academes, business enterprises, and multinational corporations though; it has very low success rate statistics. This paper presents an overview of MPA management in Northeastern Iloilo, Philippines and examines its several management strategies. It examines the interaction between the civil society and market forces of institutional arrangements in Northeastern Iloilo, Philippines. It further aims to determine the main conflict that causes trade off outcomes in terms of analyzing strategic interactions among economic agents of the different regimes. Several scenarios that resemble conflict between various national, local and international sectors are discussed. It also shows that conflict is one of the reasons why the country has very low success rate statistics - thus a proper evaluation current scenario is imminent. Close

• 126. [Article] Science to Soluntions: Grazing Management In Perspective: A Compatible Tool For Sage Grouse Conservation

  Research evaluating effects of livestock grazing on greater sage-grouse nest survival suggests that a variety of locally-appropriate range management strategies support grouse populations. A new Montana ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Science to Soluntions: Grazing Management In Perspective: A Compatible Tool For Sage Grouse Conservation Author: Sage Grouse Initiative Research evaluating effects of livestock grazing on greater sage-grouse nest survival suggests that a variety of locally-appropriate range management strategies support grouse populations. A new Montana study comparing effects of specialized grazing systems on ranches enrolled in the NRCS-led Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) to ranches not enrolled in SGI grazing programs found no difference in nest survival: in both cases, long-term nest success (40-49%) was consistent with the rangewide survival rates of a stable sage grouse population. Researchers also reported heights of live and senesced grasses that were within a half-inch of each other on SGI-enrolled ranches versus non-enrolled ranches. The take-home message is that, done sustainably, grazing is a highly compatible land use for maintaining sage grouse populations, and is wholly preferred over habitat-destroying alternatives like cropland cultivation or subdivision development. Farm Bill-funded assistance through SGI to enhance grazing practices may contribute to protecting habitat by keeping ranching operations profitable and sustainable. Title: Science to Soluntions: Grazing Management In Perspective: A Compatible Tool For Sage Grouse Conservation Author: Sage Grouse Initiative Research evaluating effects of livestock grazing on greater sage-grouse nest survival suggests that a variety of locally-appropriate range management strategies support grouse populations. A new Montana study comparing effects of specialized grazing systems on ranches enrolled in the NRCS-led Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) to ranches not enrolled in SGI grazing programs found no difference in nest survival: in both cases, long-term nest success (40-49%) was consistent with the rangewide survival rates of a stable sage grouse population. Researchers also reported heights of live and senesced grasses that were within a half-inch of each other on SGI-enrolled ranches versus non-enrolled ranches. The take-home message is that, done sustainably, grazing is a highly compatible land use for maintaining sage grouse populations, and is wholly preferred over habitat-destroying alternatives like cropland cultivation or subdivision development. Farm Bill-funded assistance through SGI to enhance grazing practices may contribute to protecting habitat by keeping ranching operations profitable and sustainable. Close

• 127. [Article] Informing Management Strategies for a Reserve: Results from Valuation Surveys

  Suggested Bibliographic Reference: Challenging New Frontiers in the Global Seafood Sector: Proceedings of the Eighteenth Biennial Conference of the International Institute of Fisheries Economics and Trade, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Informing Management Strategies for a Reserve: Results from Valuation Surveys Author: Bui, Xuan, Sandorf, Erlend, Aanesen, Margrethe Year: 2016 Suggested Bibliographic Reference: Challenging New Frontiers in the Global Seafood Sector: Proceedings of the Eighteenth Biennial Conference of the International Institute of Fisheries Economics and Trade, July 11-15, 2016. Compiled by Stefani J. Evers and Ann L. Shriver. International Institute of Fisheries Economics and Trade (IIFET), Corvallis, 2016. Title: Informing Management Strategies for a Reserve: Results from Valuation Surveys Author: Bui, Xuan, Sandorf, Erlend, Aanesen, Margrethe Year: 2016 Suggested Bibliographic Reference: Challenging New Frontiers in the Global Seafood Sector: Proceedings of the Eighteenth Biennial Conference of the International Institute of Fisheries Economics and Trade, July 11-15, 2016. Compiled by Stefani J. Evers and Ann L. Shriver. International Institute of Fisheries Economics and Trade (IIFET), Corvallis, 2016. Close

• 128. [Article] The changing roles of environmental interest groups in national policy-making : a marine conservation case study

  Interest groups have participated in the American political system since the signing of the U.S. Constitution. Environmental interest groups, a subsection of the American interest group society, have been ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The changing roles of environmental interest groups in national policy-making : a marine conservation case study Author: Simler, Brooke S. Interest groups have participated in the American political system since the signing of the U.S. Constitution. Environmental interest groups, a subsection of the American interest group society, have been especially active in national policies since the proliferation of environmental laws and environmental advocacy in the 1960s and 1970s. When environmental laws were passed in the late 1960s, environmental interest groups were able to affect policy decisions through court action. These laws expanded a citizen's standing to sue and made it possible for environmental groups to use litigation to change environmental policies. Today, we are beginning to see environmental groups impact national policy decisions using alternative strategies in addition to their historically effective litigation options. This thesis examines environmental groups' new roles in national policy-making. Political science models describing how interest groups have affected national policies throughout history, including the iron triangle and issue network models, are discussed. Models describing how environmental groups fit into the policy process after the passage of environmental laws in the late 1960s and early 1970s is also included. A case study regarding the environmental community's ability to influence the fate of "The Coral Reef Bill" is used to illustrate environmental groups' new strategies and roles. The Coral Reef Bill, introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in March of 2000, was intended to establish protection and research programs for coral reefs in U.S. waters. The bill was amended in a manner that changed its conservation implications, which raised a great deal of concern among environmental interest groups, specifically marine conservation groups. The environmental (marine conservation) community was instrumental in striking down this undesirable amendment. How the environmental interest groups were successful in affecting policy is demonstrative of their new roles in national policymaking. The current and future status of marine legislation, and the environmental community's potential role in future legislation, is also discussed. Title: The changing roles of environmental interest groups in national policy-making : a marine conservation case study Author: Simler, Brooke S. Interest groups have participated in the American political system since the signing of the U.S. Constitution. Environmental interest groups, a subsection of the American interest group society, have been especially active in national policies since the proliferation of environmental laws and environmental advocacy in the 1960s and 1970s. When environmental laws were passed in the late 1960s, environmental interest groups were able to affect policy decisions through court action. These laws expanded a citizen's standing to sue and made it possible for environmental groups to use litigation to change environmental policies. Today, we are beginning to see environmental groups impact national policy decisions using alternative strategies in addition to their historically effective litigation options. This thesis examines environmental groups' new roles in national policy-making. Political science models describing how interest groups have affected national policies throughout history, including the iron triangle and issue network models, are discussed. Models describing how environmental groups fit into the policy process after the passage of environmental laws in the late 1960s and early 1970s is also included. A case study regarding the environmental community's ability to influence the fate of "The Coral Reef Bill" is used to illustrate environmental groups' new strategies and roles. The Coral Reef Bill, introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in March of 2000, was intended to establish protection and research programs for coral reefs in U.S. waters. The bill was amended in a manner that changed its conservation implications, which raised a great deal of concern among environmental interest groups, specifically marine conservation groups. The environmental (marine conservation) community was instrumental in striking down this undesirable amendment. How the environmental interest groups were successful in affecting policy is demonstrative of their new roles in national policymaking. The current and future status of marine legislation, and the environmental community's potential role in future legislation, is also discussed. Close

• 129. [Article] Outcome Distributions in Impact Assessment : Climate Change and Technology Adoption in Pacific Northwest Agriculture

  Increased temperature and precipitation variability and frequent extreme weather events due to climate change pose a threat to farming operations and agricultural communities. The recent IPCC assessment ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Outcome Distributions in Impact Assessment : Climate Change and Technology Adoption in Pacific Northwest Agriculture Author: Zhang, Hongliang Increased temperature and precipitation variability and frequent extreme weather events due to climate change pose a threat to farming operations and agricultural communities. The recent IPCC assessment shows that the projected climate change will, on average, reduce wheat yields by 5% in temperate regions without adaptation and even more if temperatures continue to rise. Designing policies for helping climate-vulnerable farmers requires a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of climate change on agricultural systems and potential adaptation strategies. This dissertation consists of three essays that address several relevant issues from an economic perspective. The first essay presents an empirical analysis to assess the impacts of climate change on farm-level economic outcome distributions for winter wheat systems (including winter wheat yield, farm revenue, expenditure, and net return) in the U.S. Pacific Northwest by using a flexible moment-based approach. Results indicate that a warming climate, on average, reduces winter wheat yield but increases farm economic returns in this region, while droughts have a large negative impact on the ex-ante distributions of winter wheat yields and farm net returns. Using the econometric estimates, the farm-level climate vulnerability is quantified and examined. The second essay examines the effects of conservation tillage (including no-till and other conservation tillage) on winter wheat yield and production risk. We test the hypothesis that conservation tillage practices are risk-reducing. We use farm-level tillage practice data from the 2012 Agricultural Census for the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Results are estimated using a three-stage approach by integrating a multinomial logit model with a flexible moment-based approach. We find that conservation tillage has a negative effect on winter wheat productivity. We also find statistical evidence that conservation tillage is risk-increasing. Implications of the results for using conservation tillage to adapt to climate change are discussed. The third essay compares the difference-in-difference and fixed effects approaches to estimate long-term climate impacts versus short-term weather effects on U.S winter wheat systems. A county-level panel dataset is used to assess the effects of climate and weather variables on winter wheat yield and farm revenue in the U.S. Pacific Northwest and the central Great Plains. The net effect of a warming climate is found to be negative on the winter wheat production both in the short run and the long run. Implications of the results for short-term adjustments and long-term adaptations are discussed. Title: Outcome Distributions in Impact Assessment : Climate Change and Technology Adoption in Pacific Northwest Agriculture Author: Zhang, Hongliang Increased temperature and precipitation variability and frequent extreme weather events due to climate change pose a threat to farming operations and agricultural communities. The recent IPCC assessment shows that the projected climate change will, on average, reduce wheat yields by 5% in temperate regions without adaptation and even more if temperatures continue to rise. Designing policies for helping climate-vulnerable farmers requires a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of climate change on agricultural systems and potential adaptation strategies. This dissertation consists of three essays that address several relevant issues from an economic perspective. The first essay presents an empirical analysis to assess the impacts of climate change on farm-level economic outcome distributions for winter wheat systems (including winter wheat yield, farm revenue, expenditure, and net return) in the U.S. Pacific Northwest by using a flexible moment-based approach. Results indicate that a warming climate, on average, reduces winter wheat yield but increases farm economic returns in this region, while droughts have a large negative impact on the ex-ante distributions of winter wheat yields and farm net returns. Using the econometric estimates, the farm-level climate vulnerability is quantified and examined. The second essay examines the effects of conservation tillage (including no-till and other conservation tillage) on winter wheat yield and production risk. We test the hypothesis that conservation tillage practices are risk-reducing. We use farm-level tillage practice data from the 2012 Agricultural Census for the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Results are estimated using a three-stage approach by integrating a multinomial logit model with a flexible moment-based approach. We find that conservation tillage has a negative effect on winter wheat productivity. We also find statistical evidence that conservation tillage is risk-increasing. Implications of the results for using conservation tillage to adapt to climate change are discussed. The third essay compares the difference-in-difference and fixed effects approaches to estimate long-term climate impacts versus short-term weather effects on U.S winter wheat systems. A county-level panel dataset is used to assess the effects of climate and weather variables on winter wheat yield and farm revenue in the U.S. Pacific Northwest and the central Great Plains. The net effect of a warming climate is found to be negative on the winter wheat production both in the short run and the long run. Implications of the results for short-term adjustments and long-term adaptations are discussed. 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• 130. [Article] Oregon biofuels and biomass: potential project survey including regulatory barriers

  The purpose of the study is to gauge the scope of bioenergy opportunities by identifying and profiling bioenergy projects and potential projects in Oregon, and learning directly from developers the key ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Oregon biofuels and biomass: potential project survey including regulatory barriers Author: Institute for Natural Resources, Northwest Environmental Business Council, Environmental Strategies, LLC, OSU Chemical Engineering Department The purpose of the study is to gauge the scope of bioenergy opportunities by identifying and profiling bioenergy projects and potential projects in Oregon, and learning directly from developers the key challenges and issues this nascent sector faces. Bioenergy projects are defined as projects that would produce biofuels (ethanol and biodiesel) and electric power from biomass or biogas. To gauge the potential of the bioenergy sector in Oregon and determine prominent regulatory and technology issues, the study included: 1. Telephone interviews with informed individuals to learn of Oregon projects, and 2. An electronic survey with a smaller group of individuals to identify permitting or regulatory barriers to siting biofuel projects in Oregon, and identify possible roles for a university–based research center to assist in promoting Oregon’s biofuel economy. Title: Oregon biofuels and biomass: potential project survey including regulatory barriers Author: Institute for Natural Resources, Northwest Environmental Business Council, Environmental Strategies, LLC, OSU Chemical Engineering Department The purpose of the study is to gauge the scope of bioenergy opportunities by identifying and profiling bioenergy projects and potential projects in Oregon, and learning directly from developers the key challenges and issues this nascent sector faces. Bioenergy projects are defined as projects that would produce biofuels (ethanol and biodiesel) and electric power from biomass or biogas. To gauge the potential of the bioenergy sector in Oregon and determine prominent regulatory and technology issues, the study included: 1. Telephone interviews with informed individuals to learn of Oregon projects, and 2. An electronic survey with a smaller group of individuals to identify permitting or regulatory barriers to siting biofuel projects in Oregon, and identify possible roles for a university–based research center to assist in promoting Oregon’s biofuel economy. Close