While this election season has left many voters confused and with a plate full of difficult decisions, Measure 100 should not be one of them.
As the home of the Hatfield Marine Science Center, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, and the Oregon Coast Aquarium, Lincoln County should have no problem voting yes for the Wildlife Trafficking Prevention Act.
If the act passes, Oregon would join Washington and California in prohibiting the sale of products and parts from 12 endangered animals (rhinos, cheetahs, tigers, sea turtles, lions, elephants, whales, sharks, pangolins, jaguars, rays and leopards). Oregon’s support of the measure would thus create a unified West Coast against importers, making it significantly more difficult for them to find buyers in the United States.
If you are wondering whether or not there are already federal bans on many of these items, the answer is yes. However, Oregon law enforcement rarely encounters endangered animal parts at the docks, but rather within state lines. Under current law, once those products are through the port of entry, the state has no authority.
Measure 100 states that a violation of the prohibition is punishable by a civil penalty of up to $6,500, or twice the total value of the prohibited part or product, whichever is greater, and allows the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission to adopt rules necessary to implement the prohibition.
Plus, the law is written so antiques and family heirlooms made from these parts will not suddenly be made illegal. It may be illegal to sell those items from here on out, but they can legally be possessed and passed to a family member.
Measure 100 is clear, concise and commonsense. Don’t you wish all decisions were this easy?
Vote yes on Measure 100.