Camas, Its Identity and Earth Day
The Camas paper mill (the Mill), first opened in 1884 and now occupies 660 acres including prime Columbia River waterfront. At one point it was the largest specialty paper mill in the world. The production of paper to generate jobs built a mill town that provided good working-class jobs. The mill was the centerpiece of the town and held the preeminent place. As of 1990 Camas’ population was 6,000, most of whom worked directly or indirectly at the mill (which peaked at over 2,500 employees). The mill was 70% of the city’s income. Today mill employment is down to 150, and the city is pushing 30,000 people and growing. The mill has dropped out of the top employers and contributes around 5% of the city’s income. Like many other 20th century industries, the Mill was not regulated. It created a trail of poor past waste handling and treatment practices that damaged the environment – contaminating our land, air and water. One could easily visualize Camas’ identity relegated to an old, run down, polluted eyesore at the core of its downtown. It takes someone with unique vision to look beyond the Camas of Denis’ childhood to understand a much better future. Denis Hayes understood that future, becoming the National Director of the first Earth Day in 1970. Using Pre-Internet grassroots efforts, the first Earth Day quickly quickly catalyzed seismic change. 20 million people - 10% of the country’s population, left their homes in cities and towns around the country demonstrating for clean air, land and water. Earth Day went on to become a continuing worldwide event. With a foundation built on Earth Day’s principles, Camas and its very identity can change.
Courtesy of Anna Norris
Courtesy of Anna Norris
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