Support the work to create a Public Health Overlay Zone in Eugene!
Take Action to protect Eugene's air, water and soils NOW!

Beyond Toxics is fighting for better air quality!
Beyond Toxics is fighting to get ahead of the pollution problems confronting our neighborhoods. Based on what we have all learned from the debacle of extreme community harm caused by J.H. Baxter, we have proposed that the City of Eugene adopt a Public Health Overlay Zone. We need your voices - emails, phone calls, and testimony to city council - to support prioritizing public health over increasing industrial emissions inside our urban boundaries.
Let the Eugene City Council know you want to see our city step up to protect all our residents from air, water and soil pollution.
Read the talking points below to guide you.
What is an Overlay Zone for public health?
A Public Health Overlay Zone is an additional land use zoning code that applies to established residential neighborhoods and industrial zones. These types of zones are designed to ensure that future land development projects promote a healthy environment and improved quality of life for surrounding neighborhoods. The City of Eugene adopted a similar land use concept in 2017 when it annexed lands to add acres for industrial and manufacturing jobs in the Clear Lake Road area in West Eugene.
What will this do for Eugene communities?
The Public Health Overlay will uphold the community’s values around climate change, sustainability, health, local food systems, and conservation of natural resources. These new rules are designed to reduce pollution and improve public health for the local community going forward.
Why do we need a Public Health Overlay Zone?
Eugene needs a Public Health Overlay Zone (PHOZ) to correct and move away from historical patterns of placing working class and racially diverse communities closest to heavy industrial polluters. A PHOZ can protect our community by: