THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 3
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017
Business / Agriculture
NRAC goes over USFS issues
BY TODD ARRIOLA
Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com
The Baker County
Natural Resource Advisory
Committee (NRAC) met
for its first, regular meeting
of the year, on Tuesday,
January 24, 2017, 3 p.m.,
in the Commission Cham-
bers of the Baker County
Courthouse,
Attendance included
NRAC Chair Doni
Bruland, Baker County
Commissioner Bill Harvey,
NRAC Coordinator Eric
Wuntz, Ken Anderson,
Chuck Chase, Cynthia
“Cookie” Long, Alice
Knapp, Jan Alexander,
Laurene Chapman, Lyle
Defrees, and Arvid An-
dersen. Public attendance
included Wanda Ballard.
Bruland mentioned
that, though a draft of the
NRAC by-laws was an
item on the agenda up for
discussion, they weren’t in
effect yet, and she asked
for an agreement as to
whether a quorum was
met, in order to conduct
business, and it was agreed
that there was a quorum.
The minutes from the
July meeting were ap-
proved, with a motion from
Long, and a second from
Defrees; and the minutes
from the August and the
October meetings were
approved separately, with
motions from Long, and
seconds from Alexander.
Harvey and Wuntz pro-
vided an update about the
agency-to-agency coordi-
nation process, between
the County, and the United
States Forest Service
(USFS), speaking primar-
ily about a meeting with
Wallowa-Whitman Forest
Supervisor Tom Montoya,
and the new Blue Moun-
tains Forest Plan Revision
(BMFPR) Team Leader,
Victoria Anne, on Monday.
Harvey said that the in-
formational meeting went
well, and that the focus
was determining consisten-
cies and differences be-
tween the BMFPR, and the
County’s Natural Resource
Plan (NRP). He said that
the USFS has agreed that
coordination is the law,
though the USFS’s and the
County’s definitions of that
term differ, but Montoya,
post-meeting, seemed to
realize that the USFS has
more in common with the
County than originally
thought.
Wuntz echoed Harvey’s
comments regarding the
USFS and County effort,
to determine consisten-
cies and differences with
the BMFPR and the NRP.
Wuntz said that, in the area
of watersheds, the past
thinking was to do basi-
cally nothing with them in
terms of management, but
now, the USFS has agreed,
that can’t continue to be
the plan. Chase said that
he thought the City hasn’t
had a strong enough stance
with its watershed manage-
ment, as opposed to the
USFS, and Harvey said
that he agreed with that
opinion. Harvey said that
he’ll be emphasizing focus
on the watersheds in future
meetings, including adding
Sumpter’s to the conver-
sation. He said that, to
Montoya’s credit, Montoya
agreed that action needs to
be taken now, in order to
address watershed issues.
Wuntz discussed the
Sparta Project Environ-
mental Analysis (EA), and
he provided those present
with a copy of a letter to
Whitman District Ranger
Jeff Tomac, dated January
12, 2017, which includes
Baker County’s comments
regarding the project.
Wuntz said that the com-
ment period ends mid-
February, and, according
to the letter and to Wuntz,
Alternative #2 is the one
preferred by the County.,
which he views as a better
one than Alternative #3.
According to the letter,
“Selection of Alternative 2
will best meet the Purpose
and Need for the Sparta
project while protect-
ing wildlife habitat and
enhancing forage; does
not adversely affect listed
animals and plants; pro-
tects cultural resources, air
and water quality; meets
Forest Plan Standards; and
provides economic oppor-
tunity and access for local
Local landowners,
producers, and agency
personnel gathered on the
evening of January 20th
for a very important rea-
son: conservation in Baker
County.
Each year, the Baker
County Soil and Water
Conservation Districts
(consisting of Baker Val-
ley, Eagle Valley, Keating,
and Burnt River SWCDs)
host their Annual Din-
ner and Awards Banquet;
recognizing the dedication,
willingness, and hard work
that it takes to implement
conservation practices at
the local level.
The Districts aid private
landowners in restoring,
enhancing and improving
their land through many
different activities; includ-
ing livestock watering sys-
tems, spring developments,
cross fencing, irrigation ef-
ficiency, streamside plant-
ings, diversion structures,
and much more.
Dinner guests enjoyed a
video presentation, high-
lighting all of the ongoing
and recently completed
conservation projects in
the county.
Along with enjoying a
delicious prime rib dinner,
attendees welcomed newly
elected SWCD directors
as they recited the oath
of office, presented by
County Commissioner
Bruce Nichols; as well
as said goodbye to three
retiring directors: Mike
Williams of Baker Valley
SWCD, Dave Clemens of
Eagle Valley SWCD, and
Tim Heater of Eagle Valley
SWCD.
Between these three di-
rectors, they have dedicat-
ed over 55 years of service
to their respective soil and
water district; and their
knowledge, input and sup-
port has been invaluable.
As in years past, the Bak-
er County SWCD directors
and staff nominated two
individuals for outstanding
conservation efforts. Steve
Brink of Idaho Power was
recognized as the 2016
Partner of the Year, and
Dave Clemens, who lives
in Richland, was recog-
nized as the 2016 Conser-
vationist of the Year.
Friday, January 27, 2016 — Eastern Oregon
Prices trended generally steady in a limited test
compared to week ago prices. Most demand
lays with the retail/stable hay. According to some
producers, horse owners prefer lower sugar, higher
protein hay. The recent snows slowed movement as
trucks cant get to the farms to get loaded.
Tons Price Range Wtd Avg
Alfalfa — Large Square Good
380 130.00-130.00 130.00
Alfalfa / Orchard Mix — Large Square Good
300 100.00-100.00 100.00
Timothy Grass — Large Square Premium
120 180.00-180.00 180.00
USDA Market News Service—AMS.USDA.gov
Todd Arriola / The Baker County Press
The Baker County Natural Resource Advisory
Committee.
residents.”
In discussing the NRAC
draft by-laws further, Bru-
land said she had sent the
document to members, via
email, for review and edits.
Highlights include limit-
ing the number of NRAC
members to thirteen (it
needs to be an odd num-
ber), and Harvey explained
that what prompted this is
that, for various reasons,
many members have been
unable to attend the meet-
ings on a regular basis.
Another included detail is
that meetings should be at
least quarterly (most likely,
more often).
Bruland spoke about
an NRAC draft advisory
letter, which she said she
would like to present to
County Commission-
ers during the regular
Commission session on
Wednesday, February 1,
regarding mining concerns,
on the Bureau of Land
Management’s (BLM)
Proposed Withdrawal
from Mineral Entry in
Sagebrush Focal Areas.
She urged members to
review documents she
sent via email, including
an executive summary on
the withdrawal (the actual
withdrawal document is
over 400 pages), and she
said that comments need to
be formed by mid-March.
Bruland said that there is
no withdrawal planned for
Baker County currently,
but support should be
shown for other counties.
Bruland said that her main
message, per the advi-
sory letter, is that federal
agencies need to adhere
to their own rules. She
asked members, especially
miners, to review the letter,
for accuracy and thorough-
ness.
For the second Public
Participation segment,
Ballard (who briefly com-
mented also during the
initial Public Participation
segment) said that she
considers a gate placed
on any previous County
road that’s closed, by the
USFS, to be giving the
USFS too much, rather
than just pushing for no
gates period (she refer-
enced the Sparta comment
letter, which states that
the County would rather
have gates on closed roads,
than tank traps, to allow
for easier future manage-
ment, and for faster fire
and emergency response
times). Harvey said that,
where the County pushes
back, is the timing of when
a gate is closed. He said
that the County’s effort is
to keep all the roads open,
but he doesn’t want tank
traps, or boulders in the
way, and if the County can
keep the roads partially
open for now, the gates can
be opened later.
The next NRAC meeting
is scheduled for Tuesday,
February 28, 3 p.m., in the
Commission Chambers of
the Baker County Court-
house.
SWCD holds awards banquet
Submitted by Tara
Phillips of SWCD
— Weekly Hay Report —
— Cattle Market Report —
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Vale, Oregon
Cattle sold through the auction: 690
Steer Calves
300-400# Bulk 137.00-169.00 Top 170.00
400-500# Bulk 153.00-176.00 Top 177.00
500-600# Bulk 134.00-160.00 Top 163.00
Heifer Calves
300-400# Bulk 126.00-141.00 Top 143.00
400-500# Bulk 124.00-142.00 Top 143.00
500-600# Bulk 126.00-140.00 Top 141.00
Yearling Steers
600-700# Bulk 127.00-137.00 Top 138.00
700-800# Bulk 126.00-136.00 Top 137.00
800-900# Bulk 114.00-121.00 Top 122.00
900-1,000# Bulk N/A Top N/A
Yearling Heifers
600-700# Bulk 113.00-126.50 Top 127.00
700-800# Bulk 105.00-124.50 Top 127.00
800-900# Bulk 101.00-111.00 Top 111.00
900-1,000# Bulk N/A Top N/A
Thin Shelly Cows 35.00- 49.00
Butcher Cows 51.00-57.00
Butcher Bulls 45.00- 59.00
Pairs Young N/A
Hfretts. 65.00
Stock Cows Young - N/A
ProducersLivestock.com
541-473-3136
— Log Price Report —
Prices are based on the majority of saw mills in
Northeastern Oregon and Central Idaho. The prices
listed below are a composite prices of various saw-
mills willing to visit with me about this topic.
Ponderosa Pine—small diameter class 8-11 inches
diameter class $250 per mbf. Only one sawmill was
willing to buy small diameter pine at this time.
Ponderosa Pine—medium diameter class 12-17
inches diameter class $300 to $350 per mbf
Ponderosa Pine-large diameter class 18 plus inches
diameter class $380 to $410 per mbf
The Pine prices are still approximately $40 per mbf
below average lumber/log market due to 2017 fire
salvage
Doug Fir & Western Larch—$380 to $420 per
mbf. Normal prices typically ranged between $425
to $475 per mbf.
White Fir-$300 per mbf. Normal prices typically
ranged between $340 to $360 per mbf.
Engelmann Spruce—$350 at one Idaho sawmill,
other sawmills including with White fir prices.
In general, the log prices still impacted from 2015
fire season and fire salvage that resulted. Sawmills
are starting to get log yard inventory in line with
sawmill production needs. With a new Administra-
tion as of 1/20/2017, a more normal economic envi-
ronment should result and hopefully a more healthy
housing situation will result in a better climate for
Northeast Oregon Sawmill and private forest land-
owners.
Courtesy of Arvid Andersen,
Andersen Forestry Consulting
— Precious Metals Report —
Submitted Photo.
From left: Mike Williams, retiring Baker Valley Di-
rector; Whitney Collins, District Manager; and Myron
Miles, Baker Valley SWCD Chairman.
Both of these men have
dedicated their lives to
being good stewards of the
land, and have been instru-
mental in getting restora-
tion projects on the ground
in Baker County.
Farmers and ranch-
ers truly are the most
dedicated conservation-
ists in the world, and the
staff and directors of the
Baker County SWCDs are
beyond proud to represent
this hard-working com-
munity; and we’ve all been
busy!
Subscribe today! See page 9 for how to get a year of news for just $29.95.
Price per ounce, USD
Gold: $1,209.00
Silver: $17.48
Platinum: $998.55
Palladium: $761.81
Bloomberg.com
— Ag Commodities —
Corn: $367.00/bu/USD
Wheat: $431.40/bu/USD
Soybeans: $1,036.00/bu/USD
Oats: $252.50 bu/USD
Rough Rice: $9.54/cwt/USD
Canola: $511.60 CAD/mwt
Live Cattle: $113.90//lb./USD
Feeder Cattle: $122.35/lb./USD
Lean Hogs: $69.03/lb./USD
Bloomberg.com