THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 3
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2016
Business & Ag
BMFPR
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PAGE 1
In its latest newsletter,
the USFS has included up-
dates to include the topics
of Team Leader transi-
tion, the revised timeline,
intergovernmental coop-
eration and coordination,
consultation with tribal
governments, and consulta-
tion with federal agencies
on the Endangered Species
Act (ESA).
The newsletter began, “It
is with a heavy heart that
we share with you the sad
news of Sabrina Stadler’s
recent passing. Sabrina
passed away on September
7, 2016 due to complica-
tions with pancreatitis.
Her family, friends, and
colleagues are shocked and
saddened by this news.
Sabrina gave her all to the
Forest Plan Revision effort
for more than four years in
her role as Team Leader.
In August, she began her
new role as District Ranger
back home on the Plumas
National Forest in northern
California. Our hearts go
out to Sabrina’s husband
and two young daughters.
We will miss Sabrina
dearly. If you would like
to send condolences,
please address mail to The
Stadler Family, c/o The
Forest Plan Revision Team,
1550 Dewey Avenue, Suite
A, Baker City, OR 97814.”
Stadler, along with
BMFPR Team member and
Public Affairs Officer Peter
Fargo, Malheur National
Forest Supervisor Steve
Beverlin, BMFPR Team
Recreation Planner Dennis
Doherty, and Malheur Na-
tional Forest Public Affairs
Specialist Mike Stearly,
participated in the July
conference call.
The USFS announced in
the latest update that, while
it searches for a new Team
Leader, Michael Hampton,
of MLH Natural Resource
Consulting, will serve as
Interim Team Leader. Ac-
cording to the newsletter,
Hampton, a USFS retiree,
served for 38 years, a
majority of that time in the
Pacific Northwest Region.
He spent four years as a
Planner on the Umatilla
National Forest, and as
Acting District Ranger in
Walla Walla, Washington,
and from 2010 through
2015, he worked directly
with the BMFPR Team, as
Regional Planner.
On the topic of the re-
vised timeline, the update
stated that the original plan
for the publishing of the
Revised Plans, the Final
Environmental Impact
Library
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Dirt and oil can cause
discoloration and acceler-
ate deterioration, but he
said that wearing white
cotton gloves, a popular
practice, isn’t necessary,
and actually can be harm-
ful (some studies have
shown that the gloves can
pick up dirt and oil as well
as hands, the paper can be
damaged, because of the
lack of feeling in manipu-
lating the pages, and the
gloves can increase the
temperature of hands,
causing them to sweat, and
this can be transferred to
the paper through gloves).
Stokes spoke about the
push to digitize media,
and he said, “The Baker
County Press, I’m happy
to see, is getting involved
in the Oregon Digital
Statement (FEIS), and the
draft Records of Deci-
sion (ROD) had been for
the fall of 2016, but for
several reasons, they won’t
be ready to be published
until 2017, according to
the update. The announce-
ment for a revised publica-
tion date will come after
a Formal Consultation is
completed, with the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS), and the Nation-
al Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS).
Among the reasons
given for this delay are the
time required to develop
and analyze the two new
Alternatives that were an-
nounced this year, and the
time needed to revise com-
ponents related to water-
shed condition and habitat
conservation for aquatic
species (an example cited
was an unexpected delay,
caused by the need to up-
date vegetation modeling
across all Alternatives, to
ensure alignment between
different modeling pro-
cesses).
On the topic of intergov-
ernmental cooperation and
coordination, the update
stated that, because Na-
tional Forest management
involves and affects state,
local, and tribal govern-
ments, the USFS seeks
their input, and letters were
received from Oregon and
Washington States, as well
as many of the tribes, and
counties, during the formal
commenting period for the
Draft EIS (DEIS), and the
Draft Plan(s). “Additional
opportunities exist for the
Forest Service and other
government agencies to
cooperate and coordinate,”
it stated.
According to the up-
date, under the National
Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA), government
agencies can agree to serve
as Cooperating Agencies,
which allows the agencies
to work with the USFS
to share information, and
shape successful Plans; to
participate in special brief-
ings and discussions with
the USFS, regarding the
NEPA process; to have ac-
cess to certain draft docu-
ments in advance of the
publication of the FEIS,
and Revised Forest Plans;
to provide special expertise
to the Team, where ap-
plicable; and to be listed as
a Cooperating Agency in
the FEIS, and the Revised
Forest Plans.
The National Forest
Management Act (NFMA)
and its implementing
regulations, according to
the update, state that, “the
responsible line officer
shall coordinate regional
and forest planning with
the equivalent and related
planning efforts of other
federal agencies, state, and
local governments, and
Indian tribes.” (36 CFR
219.7, 1982). As part of
the BMFPR process, the
USFS “...reviews gov-
ernment planning and
land-use policies; assesses
the interrelated impacts
of the plans and poli-
cies; determines how the
revised Forest Plans should
deal with the identified
impacts (consistent with
federal law, policies, and
regulations); and considers
alternatives for resolving
conflicts with the revised
Forest Plans.” (36 CFR
219.7(c), 1982).
The update stated that
the USFS’s “coordination
review” is currently in
progress, with results to be
included in the FEIS. In
conclusion, the newsletter
stated, “...the Forest Ser-
vice is the lead agency and
maintains decision-making
authority on the Forest
Plans, yet we also strive
to be good neighbors by
cooperating and coordinat-
ing with other government
agencies. This involves
exchanging information
and seeking win-win solu-
tions whenever possible.”
The Baker County Board
of Commissioners has
held several civil agency-
to-agency coordination
meetings with Wallowa-
Whitman Forest Supervi-
sor Tom Montoya, and
Whitman District Ranger
Jeff Tomac, and maintains
a firm stance as a coordi-
nating agency.
On the topic of consulta-
tion with tribal govern-
ments, the update stated
that tribes involved with
the BMFPR included the
Burns Paiute Tribe, the
Confederated Tribes of the
Umatilla Indian Reserva-
tion, the Confederated
Tribes of Warm Springs,
and the Nez Perce Tribe,
among others. “Their long
histories with these lands
are well-documented,
and their knowledge and
experience is helpful to
us federal land managers.
Therefore, we seek the
tribes’ advice and support
when making decisions for
these National Forests,”
according to the update.
The USFS has an obliga-
tion to uphold legal rights
granted to federally rec-
ognized tribes, identified
in treaties and clarified in
statutes, executive orders,
and case law, according
to the update, and these
rights include fishing,
hunting, gathering roots
and berries, and pastur-
ing horses and cattle. In
accordance with Executive
Order 13175 on Consul-
tation and Coordination
with Indian Tribal Govern-
ments, federal agencies
are required to establish
regular and meaningful
consultation and collabora-
tion with tribal officials in
the development of federal
policies having tribal im-
plications; to strengthen
the U.S. government-to-
government relationships
with Indian tribes; and to
reduce the imposition of
unfunded mandates on
tribes. “Through regular
consultation, we exchange
information and build
mutual understanding that
improves stewardship of
the ecological and cultural
resources that are signifi-
cant to the tribes,” accord-
ing to the update.
On the last topic, consul-
tation with federal agencies
on the ESA, according to
the update, the USFS has
a responsibility to “...con-
serve diverse habitats for
many different species, and
it is a responsibility that we
take seriously.” Under Sec-
tion 7 of the ESA, states
the update, any federal
agency whose actions may
affect species and their
critical habitats must con-
sult with the USFWS and/
or the NMFS, to ensure
that the agency’s actions
aren’t likely to jeopardize
the continued existence of
listed species or adversely
modify designated critical
habitats.
The USFS is currently
consulting informally with
the USFWS and the NMFS
about the potential effects
of Forest Plan components,
because the BMFPR may
affect ESA-listed species
and their critical habitats,
including Bull trout, Steel-
head, Chinook salmon, and
others, according to the
update. A Biological As-
sessment must be prepared
by the USFS, prior to
formal ESA consultation
with the USFWS and the
NMFS. From the time this
assessment and a request
for a formal consultation
is received by the USFWS
and the NMFS, both agen-
cies have 135 days, unless
extended, to complete a Bi-
ological Opinion. Included
in the update is a notice for
a public conference call,
scheduled for Thursday,
November 17, from 5:30
p.m. to 6:30 p.m., PST.
Dial 1-888-844-9904,
then enter Access Code
2651088#, in order to lis-
ten to the discussion live.
The broadcast-style, one-
way call will include topics
related to those covered in
the latest newsletter, and
questions can be emailed
to bluemtnplanrevision@
fs.fed.us, by November 10.
Newspaper Program...” He
stressed the importance
of preserving historical
records, and he noted that
the process to digitize
newspapers is better from
the original source paper
(the result has more clar-
ity, for example), than it
is from microfilm. The
Oregon Digital Newspaper
Program (ODNP), spear-
headed by the University
of Oregon Libraries, “...
is an initiative to digitize
historic Oregon newspaper
content and make it freely
available to the public
through a keyword-search-
able online database...”
The digitization of The
Record-Courier’s books
could be in the hundreds
of dollars range per vol-
ume, and Stokes said fund-
ing the project would take
serious consideration.
Stokes said the shelving
unit, which will be con-
structed out of metal, as
other units at the library,
will be installed in the
unused, north end of the
History Center, which will
provide enough space for
the books, in two sec-
tions (the books take up
between 14 and 15 feet of
space horizontally, stacked
upright). The books would
be shelved so that they’re
not located too low, or too
high, for interested patrons
to be able to handle them.
He completed a Leo Adler
grant application last
week (due in October, and
awarded in December),
but, if approved, the grant
would cover part of the
cost, and the shelving unit
could be up to several
thousand dollars.
“I would guess, by
spring, we would have the
new shelving unit in-
stalled,” he said.
Stokes said the area
where the unit is expected
to be installed included a
station computer which
was used for genealogy
database access purposes,
“...but, really, you can get
to those databases on any
of our other computers...”
In speaking of the History
Center’s namesake, Pearl
Hayden Jones, he said, “I
didn’t have the pleasure of
meeting her, but I’ve heard
some wonderful things.”
Jones, a pivotal figure as
the library’s historian,
and a major contributor to
the collection and inter-
pretation of the history of
the community in gen-
eral, worked at Kennedy’s
Eastside Grocery for eight
years, and at the library for
16 years, before retiring.
She died, at 88, on April
23, 2006, at Idlewood
Manor, in Baker City.
Stokes said that, as of
this writing, there have
been no donations offered
from the public to help pay
for the project, but anyone
interested in donating may
contact him. The Library’s
number is 541-523-6419.
— Weekly Hay Report —
Friday, September 30, 2016 — Eastern Oregon
Prices trended generally steady compared to week
ago prices. Most demand lays with the retail/stable
hay. According to some producers, horse owners
are starting to prefer lower sugar, higher protein
hay. Many hay producers are selling or have
already sold most of their first and second cutting
hay, and are working on later cutting(s) resulting in
higher volumes of hay moving.
Tons Price Range Wtd Avg
Alfalfa — Large Square Supreme
60 140.00-140.00 140.00
Alfalfa — Small Square Good
250 100.00-100.00 100.00
Alfalfa/Triticale Mix— Small Square Fair
27 110.00-110.00 110.00
USDA Market News Service—AMS.USDA.gov
— Cattle Market Report —
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Vale, Oregon
Cattle sold through the auction: 1114
Steer Calves
300-400# Bulk 132.00 - 146.00 Top 150.00
400-500# Bulk 122.00 - 145.00 Top 145.25
500-600# Bulk 119.00 - 132.00 Top 134.50
Heifer Calves
300-400# Bulk 123.00 - 136.00 Top 139.00
400-500# Bulk 119.00 - 132.00 Top 134.50
500-600# Bulk 109.00 - 120.00 Top 121.00
Yearling Steers
600-700# Bulk 112.00 - 122.00 Top 123.00
700-800# Bulk 110.00 - 120.00 Top 121.00
800-900# Bulk 108.00 - 116.00 Top 118.00
900-1,000# Bulk N/A Top N/A
600-700#
700-800#
800-900#
900-1,000#
Yearling Heifers
Bulk 104.00 - 116.00 Top 116.50
Bulk 102.00 - 111.00 Top 115.50
Bulk 97.00 - 105.00 Top 111.00
Bulk 87.00 - 101.00 Top 105.00
Thin Shelly Cows 41.00 - 54.00
Butcher Cows 55.00 - 64.00
Butcher Bulls 49.00 - 68.00
Pairs Young 1210.00 - 1425.00
Hfretts. 61.00 - 76.00
Stock Cows Young - N/A
ProducersLivestock.com
541-473-3136
— Log Price Report —
Price per 1,000 board feet: Northeast Oregon
Currently the local log market is flooded with
fire salvage logs. The log buyer for Malheur
Lumber Co. stated they have all the logs they
need under contract and are not accepting any
new purchases. BCC/LLC of La Grande has
receive so many burned fire salvage logs they
are no longer accepting logs at the La Grande
log yard. Any additional pine logs have to be
delivered to the Elgin Log yard cut in plywood
lengths and to a 8 inch top. For these pine
logs cut in plywood lengths, BCC is offering
$280.00/mbf. They are also paying $420.00/
mbf for Doug Fir & Western Larch. For White
Fir they are offing $325.00/mbf. At the Pilot
Rock Saw Mill BCC is offing $360.00/mbf for a
12 to 15 inch top, for 16 to 19 inch top $400.00/
mbf & offing $425.00/mbf for 20 inch plus top
Courtesy of Arvid Andersen,
Andersen Forestry Consulting
— Precious Metals Report —
Price per ounce, USD
Gold: $1,274.10
Silver: $17.90
Platinum: $986.77
Palladium: $697.88
Bloomberg.com
— Ag Commodities —
Corn: $348.25/bu/USD
Wheat: $394.75/bu/USD
Soybeans: $963.25/bu/USD
Oats: $181.25 bu/USD
Rough Rice: $10.10/cwt/USD
Canola: $460.00 CAD/mwt
Live Cattle: $102.40/lb./USD
Feeder Cattle: $123.58/lb./USD
Lean Hogs: $43.68/lb./USD
Bloomberg.com