Piedmont. Portland's Emerald.

>Around the country, minority and low-income communities have been overexposed to toxic dump sites, contaminated air and other health hazards from industrial carelessness. Did you know you have a right to hold polluters accountable for the chronic health problems affecting your community?

Early next month, representatives from the Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will listen to and address environmental concerns in North and Northeast Portland. This community forum is sponsored by Sen. Chip Shields, Rep. Tina Kotek and Rep. Lew Frederick and graciously hosted by the North Portland Chairs Network, a monthly meeting of the chairs of North Portland neighborhood associations. The details are:

A representative from DEQ will briefly present information on how businesses and industries are permitted to operate in the state, how residents can file complaints, and discuss what kind of oversight and follow-up the agency does with businesses that violate their permits. DOJ will outline how their agency investigates and prosecutes criminal polluters. There will be time allowed to learn about practical steps that ordinary residents can take to make sure environmental concerns are being reported and dealt with. The last 20 minutes of the forum is reserved for a question-and-answer period.