PHOTO: Haines students get surprise visit
from Smokey during field trip. PAGE 12
BUSINESS: 10th Street business owners
gather for roundtable meeting . PAGE 3
The
Baker County Press
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Friday, October 16, 2015 • Volume 2, Issue 42
Elkhorns East Face project:
‘all hands, all lands’ approach
BY BRIAN ADDISON
Brian@TheBakerCountyPress.com
The East Face of the
Elkhorn Mountains Project
is a collaborative effort by
the United States Forest
Service (USFS), Oregon
Department of Forestry
(ODF), the Natural Re-
sources Conservation Dis-
trict (NRCS), and private
land owners.
The East Face project is
one of 13 projects across
the nation drawing $2.6
million from the federal
funds to reduce the threat
of wildfi re, protect water
quality in the Baker City
and La Grande watersheds,
and to improve habitat for
several species defi ned
in federal management
reports as “at risk.”
The USFS portion of the
East Face project currently
sits in the 30-day public
comment period on the
agency’s East Face Vegeta-
tion Management Project
Environmental Assessment
(EA) document. The EA
analyzes the activities pro-
posed on more than 47,000
acres of USFS and Bureau
of Land Management man-
aged lands and contains
fi ve alternatives.
“Collaborative ef-
forts not only with ODF
and NRCS but also the
Wallowa-Whitman Forest
Collaborative group have
ensured that treatments
proposed in the East Face
project area have been
closely coordinated with
the fuel reduction and veg-
etation management activi-
ties occurring or planned to
occur on adjacent private
and state lands,” said
Tom Montoya, Wallowa-
Whitman National Forest
supervisor. “This effort
has truly made this project
an integral part of the ‘all
hands, all lands’ National
Cohesive Wildfi re Strategy
principle.”
The fi ve alternatives
documented within the EA
contain a range of options
from which the USFS may
choose for the project.
SEE ELKHORNS EAST
FACE PROJECT
Photo Courtesy of the USFS.
PAGE 7
This map shows the East Face designated project
area.
Bus driver shortage
Dog pack
attacks, kills
alpaca
Submitted Photo.
Lise Madson’s alpaca, Amaretto, was attacked by
three pitbulls Sunday evening near her Sparta
home.
• ATTACK OCCURRED 100 FEET FROM
OWNER’S FRONT DOOR
Todd Arriola / The Baker County Press
BY KERRY McQUISTEN
News@TheBakerCountyPress.com
L-R: Debra Byrant (currently in training from John Day), Shanna Golden, Linda Ruby, Rachell Lemmon,
Wendee Morrissey and Nathan Osborn are among the bus driving staff currently working at 5J.
Around 5:45 p.m. last Sunday is when Lise Madson of
Sparta was alerted to a disturbance outside her home by
the bark of her standard poodle.
• BUS DRIVERS IN SHORT SUPPLY IN
OREGON AND 5J, EVENTS AFFECTED
SEE ALPACA DEATH PAGE 5
Sandy Lewis
appointed to
City Council
BY TODD ARRIOLA
Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Baker School District 5J Transportation Supervisor
Wayne Paxton and Dispatcher/Bus Driver Nathan Osborn
both have formed a singular opinion about the number of
available extra bus drivers: There aren’t any.
Paxton said, “I’m going to say, at least, the last four or
fi ve years—it’s been pretty tough. We’ve been getting by,
but it’s getting tougher and tougher.”
Paxton spoke about the already stretched-thin supply
of drivers for the District. He explained that it’s not just a
local issue, but statewide, there’s a shortage.
Attempted recruitment efforts for the positions have
largely gone unanswered, Paxton said, including listings
at the Oregon Employment Department, posts on social
media, and printed advertisements in local newspapers.
Osborn said, “There’s no incentive program. There’s no
reason for somebody to come work fi ve hours a day, for a
little over $14 an hour, with no benefi ts.”
He added, “And, if they do have benefi ts, they’re very
minimal. Or, for us, for instance, they’re pro-rated on our
insurance.”
He explained that only 18 to 20 hours of work a
week—which some drivers log—translates to paying for
Friday
Sunny. Clear skies and warm temperatures.
High near 80. Partly cloudy and mild, lows in the
mid 40s at night.
Saturday
Partly sunny with a chance for showers and
maybe a stray thunderstorm. Highs in the low
70s, chance of precipitation is 40%.
Sunday
Partly cloudy with a chance for showers. highs
in the mid 60s, chance of precipitation is 30%.
Partial clearing at night. Lows near 40
• CITY MANAGER KEE TO RETIRE,
GRAFFITI ORDINANCE REVIEWED
BY GINA K. SWARTZ
Gina@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Todd Arriola / The Baker County Press
Nathan Osborn and Wayne Paxton.
a signifi cant percentage of health insurance costs out-of-
pocket.
SEE BUS DRIVERS PAGE 5
Your weekend weather forecast for Baker County.
Our forecast made possible by this
generous sponsor:
Offi cial weather provider for
The Baker County Press.
Tuesday evening was a busy night at City Hall. Council
began the evening with an executive session addressing
concerns over the water/sewer rates and residual effects
after settlement of the Langrell lawsuit. After a short
break Mayor Mosier called to order the regular public
meeting at promptly 7:00 p.m.
SEE CITY COUNCIL PAGE 10
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Search & Rescue: ATV accident
Hunter injured on Dooley
Long’s Waterworks celebrates
Public Arts Commission: graffi ti
EOU president hosted at reception
Sumpter City Council coverage
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