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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______
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