FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2016
THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 7
Outdoor Rec / Local
USFS’s proposed Eagle Creek purchase Wilderness
CONTINUED FROM
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Harvey explained at the
start of the meeting that it
would be just an informal,
question-and-answer ses-
sion, and the agenda items
would be discussed in
order, if there was enough
time.
Montoya discussed the
proposed Hells Canyon
Snake River user fee, say-
ing that, if implemented, it
would probably be from $5
to $10, per user, per trip.
He said that this proposal
was developed this sum-
mer, with the help of the
combined USFS/Bureau of
Land Management (BLM)
Snake River/John Day Re-
source Advisory Commit-
tee (RAC), in part because
river users had commented
about the need for more
maintenance, and USFS
presence.
Montoya said a se-
ries of meetings were
held, including in Boise,
Clarkston, and Riggins,
Idaho, and the public
provided guidance regard-
ing the structure of the
proposed fee. He said the
comment period on the
proposal has been extend-
ed through September 30,
2016, and no decision has
been made yet. He said
that the Snake River is the
only major river without
this type of fee imple-
mented.
Harvey expressed con-
cern about the possibility
of the fee discouraging
users from using the river,
and Bennett, also express-
ing concern, suggested
that the proposed fee, if
implemented, could be re-
evaluated within a reason-
able period of time—two
years, for example, instead
of a longer period—to
determine the impacts on
tourism.
Montoya said that the
fee could be reevaluated,
and adjusted. He gave an
example of that in Idaho,
where a fee had been
implemented, and when
projects were completed,
the USFS then reduced the
fee.
Danser asked, “The user
fee that you’re proposing,
is that inclusive to those
that are boating on the
river, or, does that include
people utilizing access on
the shore?” Montoya said
that the fee is primarily
aimed at boaters on the
river.
Wanda said, “I would
hate to think that I’m the
only one that objects to
any user fees...whether it’s
for boating, or hiking...I
totally object...”
Chase asked, “What do
these fees pay for?” Mon-
toya said that the USFS
experiences budget short-
falls, and that the fees fund
projects for the benefit of
river users.
Tork said, “I don’t agree
with the fee, also—any
fee, $5, $10...Ten dollars
for every person, I think, is
overwhelming...”
Chary asked, “Where
would this fee be collect-
ed?” Montoya said that the
fee would be collected at
one of the launch sites.
Harvey began a discus-
sion about a proposed
USFS land purchase,
located inside the Wild
and Scenic River corridor
of Eagle Creek, and East
Eagle Creek, two separate
tracts totaling about 388
acres, through the Land
and Water Conservation
Fund in 2018. The prop-
erty, according to a letter
of intent sent to Harvey,
from Montoya, is currently
owned by The Collins Pine
Company. The property
is described as the fol-
lowing: Ref. No. 5605,
Map No. 06S45, Tax Lot
400; Ref No. 11836, Map
No. 06S44, Tax Lot 500;
Ref. No. 12063, Map No.
07S44, Tax Lot 300; and
Ref. No. 12064, Map No.
07S44, Tax Lot 400.
Livingston explained the
purpose for the proposal,
and she said that the USFS
already owns the mineral
rights. She said that the
USFS is interested in
the property, because it’s
located within the pro-
tected corridor, and each
year, projects which would
benefit USFS management
of lands are determined.
In his letter, Montoya
said that, “Acquisition ef-
ficiencies realized through
this acquisition include:
minimized fragmentation
and development impacts
on significant scenic,
recreation, and wildlife
resources; reduction of
approximately 8 miles of
boundary management and
maintenance; increased
management efficiencies
through consolidation of
ownership for landscape
level invasive species
reduction, fuel treatments
and fire suppression;
increased efficiency by
removing the chance of en-
croachments on the forest,
and public trespass on the
private lands.”
Livingston said that
Collins Pine Company
has done an excellent
job with management of
the property, but that the
USFS would like to see it
protected, through this ac-
quisition. She said, at this
time, it’s only a proposal,
and that she’s not certain
that the project would be
fully funded in 2018.
Harvey commented that
it appears that Collins Pine
has managed the prop-
erty well, including fire
suppression, and when he
asked Livingston about
any issues with landowner
management in that area,
she said that she had heard
of none. He said that the
term “protected” is used
too much.
Bennett asked about
the likelihood of funding,
and Livingston said that
funding is likely, at least
regionally. Harvey also
expressed concern about
the likeliness of funding
for the project. Kerns
stated concerns about the
change in ownership, fire
protection costs, and the
loss in tax revenue for the
County. Harvey echoed
those sentiments.
Bennett said that he
respects the right of private
landowners to sell prop-
erty, but this is a special
case, and community
members have necessar-
ily shown interest in the
outcome. He asked about
the letter Montoya sent, in
which Montoya asked for
a letter from the County, in
support of the project, and
Montoya said the USFS
always does this as a cour-
tesy, to inform the County,
though the letter of support
isn’t needed. Harvey said
he appreciates the opportu-
nity to discuss issues such
as this one, since it affects
members of the commu-
nity, and Bennett said the
meeting provides a forum
for those members to voice
their opinions.
Public response to the
topic included comments
from Edge, who said, “Mr.
Montoya said that their
motivation for buying this
property is, they want to
comply with the dictates
of Congress...I find that
interesting...recently, Greg
Walden had a speech, be-
fore Congress...and he took
great issues with the BLM,
and the Forest Service, for
that very reason...He stated
that these agencies have
not been following the
intent of the legislation...
It’s my understanding that
government agencies...
cannot directly buy private
property. I’m kind of
confused...”
Montoya said that the
U.S. Congress does give
authority to the federal
government, to purchase
property, for example, in
corridors such as where
this property is located.
Livingston said that similar
properties have been pur-
chased, under different au-
thorities, which allow the
purchase of land outright.
Chase said, “There’s
been a big erosion from
our tax base, here in Baker
County, and it’s led to a lot
of problems...Every time I
see the Forest Service take
on a piece of property, I
guess I’m just waiting for
another match (he refer-
enced mismanagement and
wildfires)...”
Chary said, “I don’t
understand why the Forest
Service needs more land...
Collins has been managing
it... No matter who owns it,
it will be managed.”
Harvey said that he’s
concerned greatly, from a
management standpoint.
He said that the USFS’s
management guidelines are
more restrictive than the
Oregon Department of For-
estry’s (ODF), for exam-
ple. He said that the Col-
lins Pine Company logged
200 trucks’ worth of timber
from the property, with still
more possible, and that the
USFS’s standards would
not allow anything close
to that. Harvey said that
he’s greatly concerned that
the USFS would consider
“locking it up,” a term he
stated he used purposely.
Rusti said, “My big
concern is your manage-
ment goal...” She spoke
about the lack of proper
maintenance, regarding
roads and trails, by the
USFS. She said that she
hasn’t seen the USFS pick
up any trash, and, “I really
struggle with your com-
ment that you’re going to
maintain it, and make it
better...You don’t maintain
your campgrounds...”
Rusti asked about the
funding to maintain the
property, and Montoya
responded that the fund-
ing would come from the
U.S. Congress. He said he
understands her concerns,
and he said the employees
have to prioritize items,
and they do the best they
can, with the funding and
the time they have.
Stroy said, “I would en-
courage them (the Collins
Pine Company) to sell pri-
vately...We’ve had, what,
five forest supervisors in
the last ten years? Every
one of them buys property;
they can’t take care of
this, they can’t take care
of that...I’m just totally
against them (the USFS)
buying any more private
property.”
Tomac said he un-
derstands some of the
comments made, and he
encouraged the public to
speak with him about the
cited lack in maintenance,
and the issues with the
trails, campgrounds, etc.
Harlan, Resources Vice
President at The Col-
lins Pine Company, said,
“Collins has owned the
property for a long time...
We are at a place, compa-
ny-wise, where we need to
take a look at redeploying
our assets...We’ve suffered
a fire, at least 24,000 acres
of timber land...Everybody
up there’s been great to
work with--both the agen-
cies, and private landown-
ers...We understand the
issues, of public versus
private ownership...We un-
derstand, and we don’t take
this lightly. As I said, we
are looking at selling it...
We have some ideas about
management...We look to
do right by the property,
and the community, and
County.”
Further discussion
included comments from
Mike, who said, “This isn’t
a done deal; the Forest
Service is merely looking
at it...My suggestion is
that Baker County, and the
local communities adjacent
approach Collins Pine...
and we make them an of-
fer, and we preserve it for
the future, for our County,
communities...I can’t
help but think that if we
put something out in the
newspaper, that mentions
this property could be sold
to the federal government,
people would stand up and
say, ‘I want to buy a share
into that...’”
Mike asked whether
those in attendance support
the sale or not, and Harvey
said that he could not ask
for an “official” vote, but
that he would ask for an
“unofficial” vote, out of
curiosity. The majority
voted in opposition.
Bennett said he respects
Collins Pine Company as
a private business, and he
appreciates that Collins
brought the issue to the
Board and to the public,
though he also declined to
show support for the pro-
posed sale to the USFS.
Ladies golf and bridge scores
The Ladies Quail Ridge
Golf and Bridge scores
for August 24, 2016 are as
follow:
Golf Winners:
1st Flight Myrna Evans;
2nd Flight TIE Linda
Taylor/Kathy Hopkins; 3rd
Flight Carol Irvine.
Birdies: Virginia Babski
Bridge Winners:
1st Mary Jean Henry;
2nd Kathy Eidson; 3rd
Shannon Sullivan
9 week Winners:
1st Della Steele;
2nd Kathy Eidson;
3rd Marlene Cross;
4th Kitty Nichols;
5th Carol Arnstein;
6th Dianne Ellingson;
7th Carman Ott;
8th Tie Janice Smull/Joan
Colton.
Those interested in learn-
ing more about ladies golf
or bridge at Quail Ridge
can contact Janice Smull
at jsmull@q.com for more
information.
medical training
offered
Eastern Oregon’s leading provider of career technical
education is bringing critical first responder training to
Bend.
This October, outdoor educators, guides, search and
rescue members, and others who work and play in remote
areas can get Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certi-
fication in Bend taught by expert instructors from Baker
Technical Institute. The WFR course is scheduled for
October 3rd-7th in Bend.
In partnership with Wilderness Medical Associates
International (WMA), a leader in wilderness medical edu-
cation since 1981, the 5-day curriculum is comprehensive
and practical and includes all the essential principles and
skills required to assess and manage medical problems in
isolated and extreme environments.
Course instructors include BTI’s Dr. Kaare Tingelstad,
a physician who has trained EMS agencies, wilderness
guides and fellow medical professionals from around the
globe to care for patients who have sustained injuries or
illness in remote situations, and Adam Kaplan, a physi-
cian assistant specializing in wilderness, emergency and
remote medicine whose medical assignments have includ-
ed Alaska’s North Slope. Kaplan, who resides and works
in Bend is the newest addition to the wilderness medicine
instructional staff at BTI. “We are excited to have Adam
on our staff. Not only is he highly trained in the area of
remote emergency management, but he also lives the out-
door lifestyle that makes his teaching much more relevant
to students”, says Doug Dalton, BTI President.
Classes like Wilderness First Responder are offered as
part of BTI’s health services career program designed
to advance the skills of a particular workforce but are
also aimed at learners interested in pursuing a career in
healthcare, or for those simply wanting the skillsets for an
adventurous lifestyle.
“Interest for advanced emergency response medical
skills in a remote setting continues to be in high demand,
not only in Bend but across our region, which is why
we are intently focused on expanding BTI’s offerings in
this area,” said Kevin Cassidy, Baker Technical Institute
board member. “Future courses are planned across the
Pacific Northwest that range from Wilderness First Aid to
Wilderness Advanced Life Support.”
The cost for the course is $700 and includes course
materials. Deadline to register is September 23rd. Pre-
coursework is required, and enrollment is limited to
21 students. For more information or to register for the
course, call Baker Technical Institute at 541-403-1900.
About Baker Technical Institute: Baker Technical
Institute (BTI) is a leading provider of Career Techni-
cal Education programs focused on developing the next
generation of skilled workers, technology innovators, en-
trepreneurs, and community leaders in rural communities.
Headquartered in Baker City, Oregon, BTI offers cutting-
edge education and training, leading to certification in
high-salary, high-demand careers, such as agriculture
sciences, building trades, natural resources/environmen-
tal sciences, engineering, health services, welding, and
manufacturing. For more information, go to bakerti.org.
Symphony to
hold auction
The eleventh Annual Benefit Auction of the Grande
Ronde Symphony Association promises to be a memora-
ble event! Entitled An Evening with Spain - A Tribute to
Lorna, this year’s event will be held on Friday, September
24th from 6:00 to 8:45 p.m. at the Presbyterian Friend-
ship Center, 1204 Spring Street, La Grande. “We are
delighted to dedicate this year’s benefit auction to Lorna
Spain, a long-time supporter of the orchestra,” says Anna
Cavinato, chair of the organizing committee. “Lorna has
been a staple for the Grande Ronde Symphony Associa-
tion as a Board Member and as its president from 2005 to
2012 and her tireless efforts to support the organization
will be greatly missed.” Lorna, who was named Honor-
ary Lifetime President in 2011, will move to the west side
of the state to be closer to her children but her legacy will
live on through the many contributions she has made to
the GRSA over the years.
Tickets are $35 each and they can be purchased from
any of the GRSA Board of Directors, at Direct Music
Source, 1206 Adams Avenue in La Grande; at Betty’s
Books, 1813 Main Street in Baker City; or on our newly
redesigned website at granderondesymphony.org. A
limited number of tickets, if available, may be purchased
at the door.
For further information or to donate an auction item
contact Anna Cavinato at 541-786-5769 or at acavinat@
eou.edu.
Rail Fire grows
At the time of print, the Rail Fire outside Unity had
grown to nearly 41,000 acres and was 70% contained.
Personnel: 920; Resources: 22 Crews, 27 Engines, 6
Dozers, 34 Water tenders, 1 Masticator, 5 Skidders/
Skidgins. Aircraft: 4 Type 1 heavy helicopters; 1 Type
2 medium helicopter; 2 Type 3 light helicopters; and 2
Single Engine Air Tankers.
Because of the stability of the fire and containment
progress, Prairie City District Ranger Gregg Moon is
pleased to announce that Forest Road 13 was opening to
the public for firewood gathering on September 1 at 6:00
a.m.