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About The Record-courier. (Haines, Baker County, Oregon) 1932-2016 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 24, 2015)
5*1 **«,*««* **ECRLOT 0073A**C007 BAKER COUNTY LIBRARY 2400 RESORT ST BAKER CITY OR 97814-2721 Positively Baker County fiitwuo Mu mim www.therconline.com Thursday, September 24, 2015 Est. Haines 1901 ~ Haines, Baker County, Oregon Exp 05/07/2016 Volume 114, Number 39 • SETZTZJB It’s Good News: Sage Grouse Not Listed Under the Endangered Species Act afoul of the Endangered Species Act. There was a lot of negative spin off that could have Baker County Livestock Association come from this," Bennett said. president, Jake Bingham, isn't the only one Jan Kerns, a member of the county's NRAC thrilled about Tuesday morning's announce committee said, "This was many, many years ment that the sage grouse will not be listed of hard work and a collaborative effort by many under the Endangered Species Act. different segments of industry which would "It's always a worry that politics will get have been affected including mining, ranching, ahead of science, but I think all of the proactive oil. It shows what collaboration can measures taken by ranchers to help with accomplish." conservation efforts paid off. A lot of the turmoil Representative Cliff which was expected to follow if they were listed Bentz said he is happy will be avoided. It's good news," said Bingham. the hard work paid off. Ryan Phillips, of the Phillips cattle ranch in He stated it also shows Keating said, "We were worried [about what there is some local might happen] with all the fires. We saw a control after additional group of nine sage grouse when we were out land restrictions were gathering cows-we see them all the time. We put in place by BLM and are really happy." the Forest Service Commissioner Mark Bennett has been the across the 11 western point person for the county on the sage grouse states. Submitted photo issue and said he's been involved with the "Within the BLM plans Rep. Cliff Bentz process for the past five years. are new restrictions He said that at many times during the past where mining operations can be placed," Bentz five years he has felt extreme frustration but stated as an example. says he's proud of the fact they always While not a fan of additional land use remained polite and professional throughout restrictions, Bentz did say, "Because of these the process. and additional restrictions along with proactive "The process, as painful and seemingly conservation efforts including the CCAAs that ridiculous as it can be, really can work," many land owners entered into, it removed the Bennett said. need for Fish and Wildlife to add yet another "It's really exciting.They listened to us and all layer and kept the sage grouse from being of,the ranchers. There aren't any caveats to the listed." flsunyr Bennett said, emphasizing the impor-11 Beritz and others who actively sought fund fance of this. ing solutions to help support rehabilitation He also echoed Bingham's sentiments about efforts also influenced the decision that a listing the important role ranchers and landowners was not necessary, Bentz believes. He also played as they were proactive with juniper thinks investments into rural fire protection removal, providing escape ramps from water districts to help control fire, which is the biggest tanks and other conservation efforts. threat to the habitat for the bird, continues to be Bennett also believes the actions by NRCS, important. OWEB, SWCD and Baker County, all working "Working together prompted this decision," together, was important. He had special praise Bentz stated. for Holly Kerns, Planning Director. And while Bentz considers this a really good "Holly did so much by providing the staffing start, he reminds everyone there are no doubt behind the scenes. Everything from mapping, people who are not happy about the decision. reviewing plans, preparing documents, helping "We're not done," Bentz cautioned. "There to edit position papers. I can't thank her could be litigation. We don't really know at this enough," Bennett said. point what will ultimately happen. But today, I'm Senator Jeff Merkley released the following really happy." comment, “Today’s news is a victory for conservation and a huge relief for so many of our rural Oregon communities. A sage grouse listing could have been devastating for many Oregon ranchers, and for the economic vitality of Eastern Oregon. I applaud everyone who worked together and engaged in this unprece dented collaborative effort so that we could protect our local economies and our natural heritage at the same time.” Bennett stated that one of the concerns he had if the bird had been listed was how it might have adversely affected property values and the ability to obtain financing. "Today's decision also keeps landowners and ranchers from having to constantly look over their shoulder, worried they're going to run By Gina Perkins Special County Commission Meeting Thursday A special County Commis sion meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 24 at 9 a.m. in the Commis sion chambers of the Baker County Courthouse. Sched uled business begins at 9:05 a.m. with discussion of the Baker County Natural Re source Plan. Other scheduled ..........................J’.':.5?.'.’ business includes Resolution 2015-1005: A Resolution Supporting Malheur County's Opposition to the Owyhee Canyonlands Designation. Attend Unity Harvest Bazaar Saturday, Oct. 3 from 9-4, the Unity Commu nity Hall will be hopping with a Harvest Bazaar according to Joan Towell. The bazaar not only showcases the variety of talented local artists and craftsmen, but will be a chance for people to start their holiday shop ping. "There will be iron work, handmade wooden items, hand crafted leather, jewelry, quilts, pies and more," said Towell. She also said pies will be on hand and a special drawing for which peo ple need to be present at 2 p.m. "It [the drawing] will be of interest to men," Towell commented. The Burnt River FFA kids will have food con cessions, including lunch which will be a fundraiser for the chapter. People with questions may call Towell at 541 - 446-3314. Elkhorn Grange Fall Festival Taste of Baker Saturday, Oct. 3 4-6 pm in Haines Oct. 10 • 9-3 p.m. Vendors call 541-856-3435 Baker City f Graffiti or Alley Art Story/photos by Gina Perkins As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Such appears to be the case with 'Movie Mouse,' which first made an appearance on the back side of the Eltrym building in the alley five years ago, according to Dan and Teresa McQuis- ten, owners of the theater and the building. Movie Mouse is a small painting of a rodent holding a paint roller and can of blue paint with the word "MOVIE" in blue just to the left of the mouse. The image is small, especially consid ering the wall is 50 feet wide and approximately 25 feet high, or 1250 square feet. The mouse is located on the bottom right cor ner of the building in the alley. See MOUSE pn page 2 A Plan in Progress Story/photos by Gina Perkins Ramona Creighton expressed her frustration to the commissioners (and namely to Tim Kerns) at the close of the Sept. 16 regu lar Commission meeting stating that "by not adopting the 2015 Natural Re sources plan, you are keep Commission Chair, Bill Harvey ing the county from having made the motion to adopt the a seat at the table as equals 2015 Natural Resources Draft Plan as written. with the Forest Service." Wanda Ballard stated she could not understand why there were continued roadblocks and Chairman Harvey's wife, Lorrie, made comments in support of the volunteer Natural Resource Advisory Committee (NRAC) which she said had spent a great deal of time on the plan and had brought it forward for the commissioners to adopt. The plan was referred back to the committee at the last Commission meeting because public meeting notice had not been given, making prior votes of the commissioners and NRAC committee members void. Commissioners at that earlier meeting had voted to accept, but not adopt the plan. Bennett and Kerns had changes and edits they wanted to see included and they also objected because the public had not received the opportunity to see or weigh in on the plan. The NRAC committee voted again to approve the plan with 12 in favor, four against, and one abstaining, according to Chairman Bruland. The names of members approving, abstaining, or dissenting were not provided despite being requested. Not all of the requested changes were reflected in the document at Wednesday's meeting. Commissioner Harvey stated the fault of not giving proper public meeting notice for the NRAC meeting fell on his shoulders because he and other staff had been busy with the fires. Harvey made a motion at the Sept. 16 Commission meeting to adopt, as written, the NRAC plan. Commissioner Kerns offered an amended motion to adopt it minus the energy portion of the plan because he believed that section needed clarification in some of the language. See PLAN on page 5 Halfway Fall Festival Saturday, Oct. 3 Halfway (541) 523-3616
