Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (June 6, 2019)
8 community june6 2019 Beavers are Eager to Help Restore Watersheds continued from page 7 think these are wonderful treatments. But my perspec- tive is more state-wide, and I’m really concerned that, while these projects have good intentions, they may, in some areas, have some implications that folks aren’t thinking about.” Beavers and humans have a tendency to popu- late the same areas. “We both like low-gradient, fer- tile river valleys,” says Ben Goldfarb, an environmen- tal journalist with a master’s degree in environmental management. “That’s where we’ve built our towns and our farms and our infrastructure. Today, we’re occupy- ing a lot of the habitat that beavers would like to use.” And like humans, beavers like to modify their environment, which can lead to conflicts between the two. In 2018 Goldfarb published Eager, The Sur- prising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter, a book documenting stories of beaver habitat restoration and beaver relocation projects across the United States, and even in Scotland. Goldfarb talked with beaver activists, including wildlife biologists, hydrologists, environmentalists, and beaver trappers, and explores how they are all working together to develop unique, non-lethal strategies for dealing with troublesome bea- vers that come into conflict with humans. Goldfarb talked with several consultants who, like Steve Trask, are working to restore beaver habitat. He examines in detail a very successful project on Bridge Creek in Or- egon’s John Day River Watershed that has been ongo- ing since 2007. According to Trask there are currently no ef- forts to quantify beaver populations in Oregon. “Biolo- gists that spend a lot of time in the field, like myself, agree that beaver have severely declined in the Coast Range. This is strictly anecdotal, and based on a re- duction in the number of beaver dams observed during stream inventories,” said Trask. When beavers and humans come into conflict here in Oregon, there are several options on how the situation can be handled. One recourse is to try and remove them. Beavers on private land are considered a Predatory Animal under Oregon statutes, the same as coyotes, rabbits, and other rodents who may be de- structive to agricultural crops and activities. If a bea- ver dam is causing localized flooding, a landowner can remove a dam, although ODFW does not recommend it, as it is usually futile because beavers will quickly re- build, sometimes overnight. The removal of a lodge is BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON In the Matter of an Appeal of the Administrative Decision by the Land Development Services Director For the Issuance of a Building Permit For Placement of a Manufactured Dwelling in Space 10 of the Deer Pointe Meadows Mobile Home Park Permit No. 192-19-000377-MD also not recommended, and does require a permit from ODFW. It is illegal to move a beaver in Oregon without a permit from ODFW. Lethal control is recommended as a last resort and private landowners may lethally re- move a beaver without any type of permit. One successful technique Goldfarb explores in his book, is the installation of “flow devices” that can’t blocked by beavers and allow water to pass through dams and reduce water levels so flooding does not oc- cur. Goldfarb notes that a nationwide network of beaver enthusiasts has emerged, calling themselves “Beaver Believers,” sharing information, tactics, and contacts. A feature documentary The Beaver Believers, released in 2018, has recently been making the rounds of Oregon communities and receiving rave reviews. At a recent meeting of the ODFW Board of Commission- ers in St. Helens, I spoke with Danielle Moser, Wildlife Program Coordinator for Oregon Wild, who told me numerous people in Salem involved with wildlife is- sues are currently talking about beavers. “It’s the hot topic right now,” she said. continued on page 10 BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON ) ) ) ) NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ) (PUBLICATION) ) ) ) In the Matter of the Rate Adjustments for Solid Waste Curbside Collection Services in Unincorporated Columbia County ) ) NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ) (PUBLICATION) 1. The Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, at or after 10:00 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Room 308, at the Columbia County Courthouse, 230 Strand Street, St. Helens, Oregon. 1. The Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at or after 10:00 a.m. in Room 308, the Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Room, 3rd Floor, County Courthouse, 230 Strand Street, St. Helens, Oregon. 2. The purpose of this hearing is to consider proposed rate adjustments for curbside garbage and recycling services for residents and businesses in rural Columbia County (i.e., outside city limits), effective July 1, 2019. 3. The Columbia County Solid Waste Advisory Committee is recommending 2. The purpose of the hearing is to consider the appeal by Don Campbell on the administrative decision made by the Land Development Services Director for the issuance of a building permit for placement of a manufactured dwelling in space 10 of the Deer Pointe Meadows Mobile Home Park. Permit No. 192-19-000377-MD. that the Board adopt a rate increase for the following: Vernonia of 1.4% serviced by Waste Management, rural Clatskanie of 4%, rural St. Helens of 6% and rural Rainier for 5%, and the commercial drop box service in rural Rainier. This area is serviced by Waste Connections, dba Hudson Garbage Service. Residents and businesses in all collection franchise service areas within the County will be subject to a Transfer Station disposal rate CPI pass-thru adjustment calculated as provided in Section 5.04B of the Columbia County Solid Waste Ordinance. The CPI for 2018 was 1.9%. The proposed rate adjustments also affect drop box services in the aforementioned areas. 3. The subject property is located at 25231 Alderbark Road, Rainer, Oregon in the Rural Residential – 5 (RR-5) Zone and identified in the County Assessor’s records as Tax Lot 7315-020-01900. 4. Copies of the building permit are located in the Columbia County Courthouse, Land Development Services Department. Additional information about this application may be obtained from Matt Laird, Planning Manager, at (503) 397-1501. 4. This is a public hearing. Interested parties may appear and be heard. 5. This is a public hearing. Interested parties may appear and be heard. Columbia County does not discriminate on the basis of disability, and will provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with the County’s ADA Policy. To request accommodations or to review the County’s ADA Policy, please contact the Board of Commissioners office at (503) 397- 4322. 5. The hearing will be held according to the procedures established in the Columbia County does not discriminate on the basis of disability and will provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with the County’s ADA Policy. To request accommodations or to review the County’s ADA Policy, please contact the Board of Commissioners’ Office at 503-397-4322. Columbia County Solid Waste Ordinance. For additional information regarding the proposed rate adjustments, please contact Kathy Boutin- Pasterz, Solid Waste Program Coordinator, at 503-397-7259 or by visiting the County’s website at www.co.columbia.or.us/lds/. 6. The hearing will be held according to the procedures established in the Columbia County Ordinance and ORS 215.416(11). Dated this 20 th day of May, 2019. Dated this 17 th day of May, 2019. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON By: _______Henry Heimuller, Chair______ BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON By: _______Henry Heimuller, Chair______ NEW LOCATION Don’t Sell it! Pawn it! Need more room? For fast cash! See us for the lowest prices GUARANTEED! Debit/Credit now accepted 5x10 $39 Baseline Pawn, Inc. 503-530-8119 State Licensed PB-0388 10x20 $99 RV Storage $149 Outside storage available Totally fenced and gated Padlocks available 2245 Baseline St., Cornelius (Across from Fred Meyer) 10x10 $69 Open everyday at 10 a.m. 58605 Nehalem Hwy South • P.O. Box 292 Vernonia, Oregon 97064 (503) 429-7867 Fresh Roasted Coffee espresso • baked goods Open Every Day at 6:00 am 10-6 Tue-Sat 12-4 Sun 825 Bridge Street 503-429-0214
