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BAKER COUNTY LIBRARY
2400 RESORT ST
BAKER CITY OR 97814-2721
Positively Baker County
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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