I Record-Courier
THURSDAY, JANUARY 7,2016
WHAT WOULD YOU DO
says an earthen dam and reservoir
at the Rivers End Ranch withholds
water from the lake. He believes
long-term impacts of a dry lake
threaten migratory bird populations.
Although he concedes water users
have historic rights, Conte believes
those rights might be superseded by
international migratory bird treaties,
which he says guarantee protection
of the birds. Asked if it’s more im­
portant to maintain communities,
ranches and,jobs coated by irriga­
tion than migratdty'birds, Conte
says, “It’s more important to hold to
treaties.”
Ranchers believe they’re being un­
fairly targeted with suggestions that
increased water use is the cause of
the lake’s lack of water. “It’s the
snowpack,”
explains
Mark
Williams, manager of the ZX
Ranch, one of the nation’s largest.
“You can have all the good mois­
ture,” he says referring to precipita­
tion from rain instead of snow, “but
if you don’t have the snowpack...”
“We’re using water that has been
used for generations,” says Joe Vil­
lagrana, manager of the J Spear
Robert Allen Chastain
continued from page 12
Ranch. “It’s drought-driven. It’s
during the bad years you hear it’s a
problem.”
Experts and officials familiar with
agriculture agree. Pete Schreder, an
Oregon State University Lake
County Extension agent, says irri­
gation is not the issue.
Records show water levels in
Abert are cyclic. The lake was dry
or nearly dry most years between
1926 and 1937 and he says he
doubts water flowing into the lake
would be greater if the river was still
the marsh that existed before diver­
sion canals were created in 1916, ef­
fectively creating a river where
none existed, writes Juillerat.
Schreder also believes waterfowl
and wildlife along the lower
Chewaucan that benefit from irri­
gated fields would suffer if water
was channeled directly to Abert.
“It’s a larger ecosystem than Abert,”
he says. “If we dry up the river and
put water in the lake, what is the im­
pact?”
Craig Foster, an Oregon Depart­
ment of Fish & Wildlife biologist,
says there’s no mystery why Lake
Red-Tailed Hawks with Tags
A message from Joanne Britton: For
any of you out and about at any time,
please check out any Red-tailed Hawks
you see for a red or orange tag on the
wing. These are fairly large patches,
and are most visible on either wing
when the hawk is perched sideways to
you. Ifyou see one, check for a number
on the tag and memorize the location.
Let me know and I’ll send you contact
information, where you can enter the
number, and enlarging the small map
gives you road landmarks to pinpoint
the site where you saw the hawk. Brit­
ton can be reached by emailing
jobr@oregontrail.net.
Photo by Sheila Holman
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Abert is drying up. “The biology of
Lake Abert is most of the water
comes from spring snowmelt. When
you don’t get a good snowpack in
the mountains the water drops. Any­
time you get two drought years, the
level drops. It is what it is. It’s been
dry before. It’s a drought-driven sys­
tem. We’re in a drought.” He also
believes impounding water at the
Rivers End Ranch is not an answer
because draining the reservoir,
which also provides habitat for fish
and waterfowl, would only raise
Abert’s water level two-tenths of an
inch and evaporate in three hot sum­
mer days.
Villagrana says steps are being
taken to monitor the lake by in­
stalling computerized measuring de­
vices so “we’ll know what each
ditch is pulling out. All the water
that’s going out of the river will be
accounted for.” He emphasizes the
information isn’t designed to placate
the High Lakes and other groups, but
is intended to help irrigators better
manage their water allocations.
The rancher used last spring’s
drought forecast to modify the J
Spear’s operations. “We’ve had to
change how we irrigate,” he ex­
plains, noting by late August irriga­
tion water was being used on only
about 100 of the ranch’s 2,000 acres
along the Chewaucan. Eartier in the
year he decided to wean and sell
calves earlier than usual and not
carry over as many cows through the
winter.
“There’s not a rancher who wants
to see the lake go dry,” says the ZX’s
Mark Williams. “Mother Nature is
our director and from there we all
use water in the most beneficial way
we can. I hope calm heads and calm
thinking prevails.”
“The bottom line comes down to
we need snow,” says Sonny Simms.
“The solution for all of us would be
for Mother Nature to cooperate and
give us some good winters.”
All told, irrigation is not the issue.
The people of Oregon fear losing
their homes, property and livelihood
to a piece of paper and a special-in­
terest group with a single focus.
Baker County Cattlemen
to Discuss Grass Banks
At the next BCLA meeting on Jan
21, they will continue to address
grazing. Specifically, they will ad­
dress the possibility of establishing
"grass banks" to assist those who lost
grazing due to the wildfires last sum­
mer. The meeting will be held at the
Sunridge at 7 p.m. with dinner pre­
ceding.
»
President Jake Bingham wants to
thank everyone who bought tickets
for the four-wheeler. The winning
ticket was a man from Astoria who
was in Halfway hunting and pur­
chased a ticket.
HISTORIC THEATER
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May 1933 - Dec. 2015
Robert Allen Chastain, 82, of Emmett, Idaho,
died on Dec. 28,2015 at Meadow View Assisted
Living Center in Emmett, Idaho. A funeral serv­
ice was held on Monday, Jan. 4,2016 at the Pine
Valley Presbyterian Church. Interment at Pine
Haven Cemetery in Halfway.
Bob was bom on May 23,1933 in Pine, Baker
County, Oregon to Homer P. Chastain and
Geneva May (McCarver) Chastain.
Bob attended schools in Halfway through eighth grade. He worked on
his parent's farm, milking cows, haying, driving tractor and anything else
that needed to be done. He raised his own herd of sheep and purebred cows.
In 1980, Geneva (Jean) sold the farm and moved into town to a tittle
house across from Halfway Elementary School. This opened up a new
world of adventure for Bob. He became a familiar face at school sporting
events, the coffee shop and the various businesses in town. Eventually, he
was invited to become a Lions Club member and served them loyally until
he moved to Emmett in 2010.
He was also invited to become an assistant “coach” to Little League
teams for many years, a position he truly enjoyed. He served as “bell
ringer” at the Presbyterian Church for many years and volunteered at the
Hells Canyon Journal, labeling the papers for mailing. He rarely missed
an evening of Bingo at the VFW Hall. In short, Bob was Halfway’s biggest
supporter. If there was an event scheduled, it was on his schedule as well.
He loved the people of Halfway and considered everyone his friend.
In 2010, as Bob’s medical needs increased, he moved to Meadow View
Assisted Living Center in Emmett, Idaho. He accepted the move with his
always-positive attitude. It wasn’t long before Bob found a new world of
activities and friends among the staff and residents.
Bob, we will miss you so much.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Geneva, and his
step-sisters, Dorothy Huff and Lila Walter.
He is survived by his niece, Janice Douglas of Alberta, Canada; nephews,
David Huff of Emmett, Idaho, Mike Walter and Larry Walter of Halfway,
Oregon and numerous great-nephews and great-nieces.
Those who would like to make a donation in memory of Bob may do so
to the Halfway Little League or the charity of one’s choice through Tami's
Pine Valley Funeral Home PO Box 543 Halfway, OR 97834. Online con­
dolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome .com
Elvina Bailey Hughes
Nov. 1927-Jan. 2016
Elvina Bailey Hughes passed away Friday, Jan.
1, 2016 at her home in Baker City, following a
short illness under the loving care of her daugh­
ters and Heart and Home Hospice. She passed
peacefully and painlessly in her sleep. A celebra­
tion of her life will be postponed until the spring
to facilitate out of town travelers.
Elvina was bom on Nov. 3, T927 to Rosetta L.
and Cloyd R. Bailey in Mullen, Idaho. When she was two years old, the
family moved to Salmon, Idaho. She lived there for 12 years and then
moved to Wilder, Idaho where she met her husband Eldon Hughes. They
were married in 1947 and moved to Baker City where they lived for most
of their lives.
Elvina had many occupations in her life. When she was young she
worked in farm fields and sheds picking and sorting strawberries, potatoes
and onions. She often told us how her father got her up at the crack of dawn
to work in the fields. During her married years, she worked as a waitress
and also for many years at “Crown Cleaners,” However, the job she loved
most of all was working at the 10th Street Market not only as an owner,
but also as anI.^rnnlnyae.[She.OVP
that she met her best friend Mary Coulter and many people, who no doubt
missed her when she retired.
Elvina was a member of the Community of Christ church, where she
served as a Deacon, a calling truly suited for her as she has always been a
caregiver. She cared deeply about people and their comfort.
After retirement, Elvina took care of all of her grandchildren and great
grand children from time to time as well as several people who were sick,
or dying. Elvina loved her family and friends and church family and she
was happiest when surrounded by those people.
Elvina always said, “The greatest gift I ever received in life was my chil­
dren and grandchildren and great grandchildren,” and she was a great gift
to them. She was always willing to help wherever needed for as long as
needed.
* Elvina loved to read and do word search puzzles. She loved music and
would often be found singing while working around the house.
She was preceded in death by her parents Cloyd and Rosetta Bailey, her
son Thomas Steven Hughes who (tied in Viet Nam, her husband Eldon
Hughes, and her siblings Ivan Bailey, Irvin Bailey, Richard Bailey, Pearl
Christensen, and Virginia Carter.
Elivina is survived by her children, Shirley McLin, Theresa Copeland
and Tracy Hughes, all of Baker City, her sister Sandra Cartwright of Grants
Pass and her brother E. Joe Bailey of Baker City. She is also survived by
13 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild,
numerous nieces arid nephews and their children and grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to your favorite charity through
Tami’s Funeral Home & Cremation Services PO Box 543 Halfway, OR
97834. Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfiiner-
alhome.com
Dorothy Anne Cotton
June. 1943 - Dec. 2015
Dorothy Anne Cotton, 72, of Baker City, passed away at her residence
Dec. 17,2015. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Dorothy was born June 26,1943 in Los Angeles, Calif., to Harry David
Plank and Clarica Annie (McCallum) Plank. She attended University High
School and later attended Santa Monica Junior College. Dorothy received
training to be a Licensed Practical Nurse through Memorial Hospital in
Southern California and spent many years working as a Licensed Practical
Nurse at St. Elizabeth's Hospital before retiring in January of2003.
On Sept. 21,1963 Dorothy married Arthur Lee Cotton at the First Baptist
Church in WestLos Angeles. Dorothy enjoyed reading, gardening, and
most of all, her family. She was also a proud member of the Shadow Moun­
tain Community Church.
Dorothy is survived by her husband Arthur Lee Cotton of Baker City
and her children; Rachel Laverne Burk of Baker City, Beverly Anne Cot­
ton-Spencer of Baker City, Rebecca Louise Davis of Amity, Sarah Lynn
Mader of Forest Grove, Brian Lee Cotton of Bend, Elizabeth Ann
Dougherty of Forest Grove, and Michael James Cotton of Baker City. She
is also survived by 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made, in honor of Dorothy, to the
Shadow Mountain Community Church through Gray's West & Co Pioneer
Chapel by sending them to 1500 Dewey Ave. Baker City, OR 97814.
To light a candle in memory of Dorothy, please visit: www.grayswestco.
com.