Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Water ...
Disc ...
Continued from A-1
As far as water quality in the area, the river (and
creeks) are lower than usual due to lack of adequate
rainfall last winter, and with the extreme heat, in wider
and quieter sections of the river with less water flow,
naturally occurring algae blooms are cropping up.
When weather, sunlight and nutrients (nitrogen
and phosphorous) become optimal, algae can multiply
and bloom in any standing body of water, according
to Josephine County Environmental Health Specialist
Brad Carlson. While many blooms are blue-green in
color, some may be foamy, scummy, thick like paint,
pea-green, blue-green or even brownish-red.
People are typically exposed to algae blooms
through skin contact, inhalation, or ingestion, if water
is swallowed. While some blue-green algae strains can
produce toxins that may irritate the skin or get people
sick, toxins are not always produced, or produced at
high enough levels to cause rashes or illness. Still,
health experts recommend that people avoid contact
with all algae blooms — and to keep pets clear as well.
“People need to use common sense,” Carlson
said. “If you see an algae bloom, don’t touch it and
move away from it. Occasional exposure to most va-
rieties of blue green algae are probably not a problem,
but long-term exposure could cause trouble.”
Lake Selmac is another popular destination on
these hot days and so far this year, water quality has
been good, according to County Parks Ranger Josh
Sabota. Though during the Reeves Creek Fire, the lake
was utilized for a water source, causing water levels to
drop about a foot each day during the fire fight.
“Because of lower water levels people are swim-
ming farther out,” Sabota said. “So they’re coming
into contact with Hydrilla plants, and with the wa-
ter warming, it’s growing pretty fast right now. But
Hydrilla is not harmful to human health. We do try
to keep it off the docks and boat ramps and out of the
swimming areas, but it is really difficult to control.”
Hydrilla can form dense mats of vegetation that
interfere with recreation and compromise fish and
wildlife habitat, according to botanists.
“As of last week we’re also seeing Bryzoan,
which is looks like a large jellyish blob that’s brownish
green on the outside,” Sabota said. “If you cut it open,
it’s clear inside. The Bryzoan is usually attached to the
Hydrilla or downed trees in the lake, but it is actually
an algae-eating organism and indicates good water
quality. Contact with them won’t hurt you either.”
Lake Selmac water quality is tested regularly for
water borne organisms that could cause trouble for
humans or animals. Sabota says to keep an eye on the
triangular signs around the lake. The signs are green
when it is safe to swim, but flip down to display a
bright colored warning when there’s any danger in the
water.
Page A-9
Continued from A-1
Four work weekends are planned in October to install the facility. Ad-
ditional fundraising plans include bagging groceries at Shop Smart, sending out
requests for donations and in-kind pledges from the groups’ families and friends,
and sponsoring a benefit event or two.
“Anyone wishing to contribute is asked to contact Deelia Warner at 541-
592-6069,” Dickson concluded. “And if they have any questions about the proj-
ect, they can contact me at 541-592-8521.”
In a recent parallel development, Illinois Valley Community Development
Organization’s (IVCDO) President Roger Brandt wrote and won a grant for ad-
ditional park improvements. The IVCDO has just entered into an Adopt-A-Park
agreement with OPRD following the agency’s recent lease signing with the BLM,
which owns the land. For the past 7 years, no lease existed between the two gov-
ernment agencies.
“We have a Title II grant for $18,000 that is intended to be used for im-
proving wheelchair accessibility at the park, Brandt explained. “This may not be
enough to cover the cost of all improvements, but I am working on other grants
to help cover the cost and will be depending on community contributions and
volunteers to help get everything done.”
The projects include restoration of the wheelchair accessible loop trail, in-
stallation of concrete wheelchair accessible walkways, and the installation of a
wheelchair ramp so people can get up the 15 inch-high curb surrounding the park-
ing lot.
Brandt then read off his list of other improvements including the removal of
old tables and replacing them with precast concrete tables; and installing benches,
bicycle racks, and a concrete floor in the pavilion. The metal roof also is in need
of dormers or vents to allow heat to escape.
Brandt is quick to point out the many enhancements the park has enjoyed
over the past few years and express his confidence that the community’s relation-
ship with both government agencies will continue to improve as communication
pathways are strengthened.
Arrest ... Continued from A-1
ArtWalk
Featured
Artist
Michael
Spring
read his
poetry to an
appreciative
crowd at
Josephine
Community
Library.
According to OSP sergeant Jeff Fitzgerald, OSP detectives
identified stranger Raymond Davis, age 28, as a person of in-
terest in the August 2, 2014, shooting death of Michael Clyde
McDonald, age 61, from Cave Junction. The ongoing investiga-
tion indicated Davis may have fled to the Paradise, Calif. area
in Butte County. Working in conjunction with Paradise Police
Department, their officers found Davis and arrested him on an
unrelated warrant on August 6. A warrant was issued out of Jo-
sephine County for murder and Davis is now being held as a
fugitive from justice pending extradition proceedings to return
him to Oregon.
Previously released information indicated on August 2,
2014 at approximately 3:35 p.m., information was received by
9-1-1 and OSP Southern Command Center dispatch of a shoot-
ing in the 6000 block of Rockydale Road south of Cave Junction.
OSP Troopers responded and found a deceased adult male on the
property who had been shot at least one time.
OSP and members of the Grants Pass Dept. of Public Safety
Major Crime Team were dispatched to investigate. The deceased
male was identified as McDonald.
The lead investigator is OSP Detective Annie Harris.
The release also stated that no other information will be
released unless authorized by the Josephine County District At-
torney’s office.
— Daisy Proksch,
2014 recipient of the RCC
Outstanding Science Student Award
(Photo by Judy
Hoyle, Illinois
Valley News)
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