NEWS BRIEFS
Kent Howe, planning director for Lane County,
responded to LandWatch’s concerns via email, saying
“as you know, the development policies at the
(federal), state and county levels do not prohibit
development in the floodplain areas.” He writes that
Images of flooded homes and fields filled the news
while structural development is not recommended in
during the mid-January floods this year. Lane County has
these flood hazard areas, these particular lands have
been soliciting information from homeowners on how
portions that are considered developable, though they
much damage the high waters cost them in order to apply
would need to follow code requirements that the first
for federal disaster relief funds. So LandWatch Lane
floor is “2 feet above grade to protect the structure.”
County wants to know why the county would consider
Lovinger and LandWatch are also concerned about
allowing even more houses in areas prone to flooding.
the effect on water that building homes on and
Robert Emmons, president of LandWatch Lane
putting their septic
County, has previously
tanks into lands prone
urged
the
Land
to flooding might have
Management Division
on Lane County’s
(LMD) to deny the
clean water.
“template
dwelling”
“Serious negative
requests on about 80 acres
impacts to countless
near to Siuslaw Road and
life forms that depend
Territorial Highway near
- Nena Lovinger of LandWatch
on healthy waterways
the Lorane General Store
are a sad end result,”
and Deli. The land used to
Lovinger says.
be a beet field.
When presented
Emmons had been
with the information,
informed by Lorane
Commissioner Rob
residents that this land
Handy asked, “What
floods in high-water
can we do at Lane
years, probably about
County LMD to better
twice every 10 years.
protect
these
However, LandWatch
communities?”
He
says that despite this
says, “It appears the
information
LMD
risks
are
only
approved at least 15
increasing. Decisions
template
dwelling
being made at LMD
requests for the farmland.
are
rife
with
A template dwelling is
exceptions
and
basically
when
the
exemptions that are putting septic tanks in
construction of a home is permitted on what it otherwise
floodplains.” He says the floods are affecting wells
a rural tract, often forestland. Opponents say template
and other drinking water sources, and in some
dwellings promote urban sprawl onto farms and other
instances drinking water sources are getting mixed
rural lands.
with septic waste.
Approving the placement of houses in floodplains
Handy says he expects the LMD 2012 Workplan,
“sets people up for grief,” Nena Lovinger of LandWatch
which might address these issues, will be appearing
says. “It is expensive and wasteful in many ways,
on an upcoming commission agenda.
including dashed hopes, lost houses and huge insurance
— Camilla Mortensen
costs,” she adds
BUILDING HOUSES
IN FLOODPLAINS?
‘Serious negative impacts to countless life
forms that depend on healthy waterways
are a sad end result.’
CONTINUED FROM P.7
As far as Johnson is concerned, beer is a beautiful
thing and beer people are conscientious and engaged —
she thinks that the world should know, including women.
“I just want to share my tasty and fulfilling ascent into
beer enlightenment,” she says.
The KLCC Microbrew Festival will feature 57
breweries from Oregon, California, Colorado, Idaho,
Washington, Utah, Hawaii and Vermont. It also features a
used CD and record sale, and Karen Lovely and Ty Curtis
Band playing live music. To learn more about Women
Enjoying Beer, visit www.womenenjoyingbeer.com and
for more on the Microbrew Festival go to klcc.org
— Caitlin McKimmy
ACTIVIST ALERT
• A public work session on wave energy will be from 5:30
to 9:30 pm Thursday, Feb. 2, in the Eugene City Council
Chambers, 777 Pearl St. The meeting will discuss Oregon’s
ocean resources and renewable energy development in the
territorial sea, which is the area up to 3 nautical miles
offshore. Public input is sought on where renewable energy
development will occur on Oregon’s Coast. See www.
oregonocean.info for more information.
• A free lecture on “Black Muslim Feminism: Sunni
Muslim Women and the Nation of Islam” by author Jamillah
Karim will be from 4 to 6:30 pm Thursday, Feb. 2, at the LCC
Center for Meeting and Learning room 104. See http://wkly.
ws/16h for more information.
• A circle of progressive local organizations will party
from 5 to 7 pm Friday, Feb. 3, at Cowfish, 62 W. Broadway,
during the First Friday Art Walk.
• The Friends of Buford Park and Mt. Pisgah is hosting a
winter hike at Buford Park from 10 am to noon Saturday,
Feb. 4. Meet at the Visitor’s Center. Pre-registration required
at www.bufordpark.org (click on tours) or contact Lyn at
344-8350 or email outreach@bufordpark.org for more
information.
• An International Day of Solidarity for Leonard Peltier,
an imprisoned Native American activist, will be observed at
1 pm Saturday, Feb. 4, at the Morse Free Speech Plaza,
followed by a 2 pm march to the U.S. Courthouse.
• The Abolition Project Fashion and Art Show will begin
at 7:30 pm Saturday, Feb. 4, at New Hope Christian College
Stuart Chapel on Bailey Hill Road in Eugene. Focus is on
“preventing and raising awareness of human trafficking
through art and media.” The cost is $10 per person. Find the
Abolition Project on Facebook.
sports
PHOTO BY JEFF BOERIO
BLOODY DERBY BOUTS
Church of Sk8in
scorer Jala Pain
Yo (44) sneaks
through the pack
8 FEBRUARY 2, 2012
EUGENE WEEKLY
In a bout marked by blood-splattering hits, a
revolving-door penalty box, five ejections, and an
appearance by Miss Oregon USA; our hometown men’s
roller derby team lost a testosterone-filled event. The
Lane County Concussion hosted the Deep Valley
Belligerents of Mendocino County, Calif., Jan. 15 at the
Willamalane Center in Springfield. The 198-154 score
does not accurately represent how close this bout was.
The Concussion started out slow, unable to maintain
jammer-stopping walls while getting pummeled by
Belligerent blockers. Ten minutes into the bout,
jammer Cougar Bait was able to break free to score 22
points giving the Concussion their first lead, 38-28.
With the help of 72-year-old blocker Merby Dick, Lane
County was able to maintain their advantage for the
remainder of the half, taking a tenuous 85-81 lead to
the locker room.
The Belligerents stormed back in the second half.
Five minutes in, Deep Valley gained a 33-point lead
behind three double digit-scoring jams. Still showing
some fight, Lane County’s Han Cholo posted 24 points
to put Lane County within 9 points with 15 minutes to
go in the game. But, stars Cholo and Cougar Bait would
soon foul out leaving Lane County short-handed. In
the end, Deep Valley proved to be the more resilient
team.
Deep Valley’s Mr. Dick led all scorers with 91 points.
Cougar Bait and GQ led Lane County with 44 points
apiece.
The Emerald City Roller Girls kicked off their
fifth season Jan. 28 at the Lane Events Center before
a crowd of 2,000-plus. The first bout of the
doubleheader pitted Emerald City’s three-time season
champion Andromedolls against Portland’s Heartless
Heathers. This game was close for about 17 minutes.
Then, the Heathers figured out how to neutralize the
Dolls’ blocking. Behind scoring by Untamed Shrew, who
led all scorers with 46 points, and blocking from
former Emerald City skater French Tickler; the
Heathers outscored the Dolls 78-6 over the next 20
minutes. Dolls rookie Scariel scored 12 of her team-
high 16 points late in the bout, but it was too little too
late as the Heathers skated away with a 168-60 victory.
The second bout between Emerald City’s Flat Track
Furies and Church of Sk8in was much more exciting.
The Furies held a slim lead for most of the first half
thanks to the scoring of Terrin Skirtz, who finished
with 35 points, and Frankie Facebreaker’s blocking. The
Furies went into the half with a 54-44 lead. Ten
minutes into the second half, Church was able to take
the lead after Betty Aim Fire went on a nine-point
scoring run. Church never trailed again. Church Jala
Pain Yo turned the night into a nightmare for the Fury
scorers finishing with 47 attacks on scorers. Church’s
Joy Toy led all scorers with 36 points as Church of
Sk8in held on for a 100-87 win.
Catch the Emerald City Roller Girls, along with the
men’s Lane County Concussion, at the Big O Feb. 10-12
at the Willamalane Center. Visit thebigotournament.
com for more info. — James Warmels
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