I Record-Courier
4
THURSDAY, MARCH 31,2016
|^^ear Friends of the Blue Mountains,
We are writing to share an update on the revi­
sion of the Blue Mountains Forest Plans, which
will guide the management of approximately 5
million acres of the Malheur, Umatilla, and Wal­
lowa-Whitman National Forests. To begin, we
want to acknowledge those who have been in­
volved in this Forest Plan Revision process: We
have been encouraged by how much you value
your public lands, and we thank you for helping
to shape how we manage these National
Forests on behalf of the American people.
Over the past year, as part of a public re-en-
gagement effort, we have visited with over 700
individuals in 24 public listening sessions held
in communities across eastern Oregon, eastern
Washington, and western Idaho. Although we
have heard differences of opinion about how to
best manage these spectacular landscapes and
ecosystems of the Blue Mountains, most agree
that these National Forests should continue to
be managed for the many uses and benefits
they provide, both now and into the future.
We found the input shared during the public
re-engagement process to be very helpful, and
we are using this input in a variety of ways. For
example, the public listening sessions have
brought additional context to the 2014 formal
comments and have given us a better under­
standing of how different Alternatives may affect
our diverse publics. In response, we are cur­
rently crafting two new Alternatives, which we
will analyze in detail in the Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS):
The first Alternative will emphasize restoration
and has been informed by formal public com­
ments, re-engagement input, and revised rec­
ommendations by Forest Service resource
specialists.
The second Alternative will build upon the first.
This Alternative would considerably increase the
pace of forest restoration during the plan period
(15 years) by moving a larger portion of the
forested landscape toward the Desired Condi­
tions - i.e., thinning densely forested stands, re­
ducing fire severity, and decreasing the risks
posed by insects and diseases.
We will provide public updates with new infor­
mation as we develop these additional Alterna­
tives and continue with the analysis’ of other
Alternatives within the EIS. While we seek to.be
responsive to all of our diverse publics, any Al­
ternative we consider must be analyzed for
compliance with federal laws, regulations, and
policies governing National Forest manage­
ment. Also keep., in mind that the Forest Plan
Revision is still a work in progress, and the de­
ciding officer (the Regional Forester) has not
made any final decisions.
What are the next steps? The final products
of this Forest Plan Revision process will include
three separate Forest Plans - one for each of
the Malheur, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman
National Forests. Before these Forest Plans
jk ACTON
PLUMBING ry
Since 1990
Complete Residential
& Commercial
NEW - REMODELS - REPAIRS
Serving Union & Baker Counties
CCB# 103084
Baker City 541-523-7990
La Grande 541-963-9534
Dave Billings & Wendy Kohl-Billings
Owners
27
can be finalized, we will consult with federal
agencies on the Endangered Species Act and
continue our government-to-government consul­
tation with appropriate American Indian Tribes.
We will also continue to address questions and
concerns from all of you who continue to be in­
terested in the Blue Mountains Forest Plans.
When the final EIS, three revised Forest Plans,
and three draft Records of Decision are ready,
these documents will be available for public re­
view for 60 days during the objection period. In­
dividuals and entities that submitted substantive
formal comments (36 CFR 219.62) during the
opportunities for public comment may file an ob­
jection (36 CFR 219.5) if they do not feel their
issues were satisfactorily addressed. Once the
objection process is finished, the Regional
Forester will sign each Forest’s Record of Deci­
sion.
In closing, we would like to express our appre­
ciation for your involvement in the stewardship
of your National Forests. We are committed to
using the information you have provided to
shape the revised Forest Plans. Over the com­
ing months, we will strive to keep the lines of
communication open through the sharing of in­
formation via email, mail, phone, and the web.
Please refer to www.fs.usda.gov/goto/Blue-
MountainsPlan Revision for the most up-to-zdate
information, and if you have any questions,
please email bluemtnplanrevision@fs.fed.us. .
Sincerely,
STEVEN K.
BEVERLIN,
Forest Supervisor,
Malheur National
Forest
GENEVIEVE
MASTERS,
Forest Supervisor,
Umatilla National
Forest
THOMAS
MONTOYA,
Forest Supervisor,
Wallowa-Whitman
National Forest
Narcotics Arrest Made
On March 25, 2016, at about
11:19 pm, the Baker City Police
Department began investigat­
ing a potential delivery of
Methamphetamine in Baker
City. BCPD Detective Sharon
Bass was able to observe what
appeared to be a delivery of
narcotics at a local residence
and then Officer Rand Weaver
conducted a traffic stop on the
North Powder Girls’
Volleyball/Basketball
14th Annual Alaskan
Halibut Fundraiser
April 23, 2016
4 sessions
Powder Valley Gymnasium
1:00 to 2:00 P.M.
2:00 to 4:00 P.M.
4:00 to 6:00 P.M.
6:00 to 8:00 P.M.
$20 per plate
(Please make checks to PV Girls’ VB/BB Teams)
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Includes: Alaskan Halibut, baked potato,
coleslaw, french bread, dessert, and drink
Hotdog tickets are also available for $5.
This includes hotdog, chips, cookie, and drink.
Benefits Powder Valley Girls’ Volleyball and
Basketball teams - Camps and Activities
For more information, please contact:
Coach Allen Bingham 541-898-2871
Coach Marji Lind 208-880-5855
Coach Suzi Dixon 541-898-2244 ext 8887(school)
Betsy Nedrow. 541 -898-2862 (home)
541-898-2244 ext 8847 (school)
Nichols a Proven
Businessman
To the Editor:
I believe Bruce Nichols is well
suited for the tasks of County
Commissioner.
His government and private
business experience, coupled
with fiscally conservative man­
agement, will serve the County
well. Bruce views the Commis­
sioner position as part of a
team, a team striving to reach
a common goal requiring
thoughtful, researched discus­
sion, evaluation of conse­
quences and a long-term plan.
Bruce Nichols is fifth genera­
tion Baker County resident and
a life-long Republican, who
graduated from Baker High.
After an honorable discharge
from the Air Force, Bruce ob­
tained a Bachelor degree in
business and economics from
Eastern Oregon State College,
now Eastern Oregon Univer­
sity. In addition to the business
and economics courses, Bruce
included a variety of agri-busi­
ness-classes.
Bruce will be an asset to
Baker County government be­
cause he is a Certified Public
Account with over 35 years of
experience in auditing, budget­
ing and managing.
Bruce is a strong supporter of
the Constitution, the Second
Amendment, a member of the
National Rifle Association and
Powder River Sportsman Club.
Bruce feels his years of expe-
riende working with govern­
ment agencies and land
owners have given him insight
that agriculture, mining, timber
and tourism are the backbone
of Eastern Oregon's fragile
economy. Baker County needs
to expand its opportunities with
start-up, small business and
mid-sized manufacturing busi­
ness. He will encourage
County and City officials to
eliminate unnecessary fees
and restrictions on business, to
help keep and establish a
stronger small business econ­
omy and partner more effec­
tively with agriculture and
timber industries.
He will strongly support con­
tinued partnering with regional
high school and community
college I education programs
that are necessary to build a
foundation of employable indi­
viduals. The education of our
work force is critical to Baker
County businesses, industries
and the well-being of the hard­
working citizens of our county.
I encourage a vote for Bruce
Nichols, a proven business
man, to run the business of our
county.
Robert McKim
Baker City
relationship with many of the
smaller
communities
like
Haines.
I trust Bruce Nichols.
ViPla Perkins
Haines
The Best Big
Brother
To the Editor:
I am writing today about the
best big brother a girl could
have. He is intelligent and
witty. He is honest and trust­
worthy. He has always been
very transparent. You know
what he is thinking and how he
feels. I haven't known him to
be mean hearted or unkind. He
is the type of man that if you
want to know something aboift
him, just approach him and
ask.
I watched him with pride as
we were setting up for the Re­
publican Banquet and he
greeted Jeff Nelson with a
huge grin and handshake.
They are both running for the
position of Baker County Com­
missioner. They seemed to
both believe that there was no
need to be anything but wel­
coming and kind to one an­
other. I watched them support
and respect one another as
they both gave their speeches
that night as well. They were
the only two running for that
position that honored us
guests with their presence.
The big brother that I am
writing proudly to tell you about
is Kody Justus. I want you all to
know that this kind hearted
man sweet man is not a politi­
cian. He is a rancher, a father,
a husband, a Baker County
resident, and a friend of many.
He always greets friends yvith
a huge hug and handshake.
That's just the kind of guy he is.
I wanted to not only tell him
that I am proud of him, but I
wanted to share with all you
Baker County residents. I want
you to know that if you were to
vote for and elect Kody as your
next County Commissioner you
would be getting a good,
honest, and trustworthy man.
One that wants to stand up for
your and your rights, he loves
this nation and he loves this
county.
Kadie Cosby
Baker City
vehicle the suspect was travel­
ing in, near the intersection of
5th and Myrtle.
Editor's Note: Bruce Nichols,
Seized in the investigation
candidate for County Commis­
was: - 2.9 Grams of Metham­
sioner, explained he would be
phetamine, which had been de­
unable to attend the Republi­
livered to a local residence -
28.8 Grams of Methampheta­
can Dinner to Carole Dyke and
mine, located in the vehicle the
Tom VanDiepen at the time he
suspect was traveling in - Nar­
purchased his ticket. Nichols
cotics paraphernalia - $265.00
had a family commitment to
in cash.
take his elderly parents to their
Arrested at the scene for Nichols Helped
grandson’s wedding which he
Possession of a Controlled
had made months prior.
, Substance Methamphetamine Haines
and Conspiracy to Deliver
Nichols asked VanDiepen if he
Methamphetamine was: - Tracy To the Editor:
would be willing to read a
Leroy Hughes born March 25,
My late husband, Dwight and statement at the banquet.
1966. This investigation will be I, ranched for years in Muddy According
to
Nichols,
‘ continuing.
Creek before retiring and mov­ VanDiepen stated he was not
ing into Haines. We have been comfortable speaking in front
active in the community and of a group on a microphone so
have known Bruce Nichols for
Nichols asked Bob McKim to
many years.
read the statement. Suzan Ellis
Bruce helped resolve big
Jones, Chairman of the Repub­
problems for Haines, He
lican
Central
Committee,
Oregon
helped straighten out the
would not allow McKim to read
SeeJs Cemetery District, the City of the
statement or speak on
------------
~ZrtC.
Haines and helped us at the
Eastern Oregon Museum. He Nichols' behalf. Nichols also
Alfalfa • Grasses • Grains
100 "D" Street
will do the same for the County. stated he was not informed
North Powder, OR 97867
We need someone to take care . about the possibility of having
of business and he has a good a booth at the event.
541.898.7333