A group wants Lane County commissioners to use their authority to put two issues before voters next year.
Community Rights Lane County is backing one measure that would ban aerial herbicide spraying. Another would ensure self-governance by local communities.
Group spokesperson Rob Dickinson says originally they gathered 30,000 signatures for each measure to be on the 2018 ballot.
“And because of a lawsuit by timber interests, we were denied that ballot access," Dickinson tells KLCC. "Those initiatives are in the Oregon Court of Appeals now, and we are hoping to have a favorable decision on those.
"But that process is exceedingly slow, and we would not likely actually hear an outcome before the 2020 elections.”
Dickinson says commissioners have a duty to respect the democratic process, and to protect the health and safety of county residents.
A spokesperson says no formal response will come from the Lane County Board of Commissioners, as the matter is still pending in the court.
Copyright 2019, KLCC.