Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (May 10, 2012)
PAID SUPPLEMENT Photograph by John Bauguess No Voice When a mine starts up in a community in Lane County (and it’s not that unusual thanks to out-of- date zoning laws) neighbors are usually given a say in how the mine operates through a process called site review. This process gives neighbors the ability to negotiate such things as how late a quarry can operate at night, how much prior notice must be given before blasting occurs or how many trucks a day may rumble past their houses. As Dexter resident Arlen Markus so aptly put it, it amounts to “a say in how our community is destroyed.” Initially, Lane County fined Lost Creek Rock Products for mining without a site review. The fines were appealed, and the case went before a hearings official. Dexter residents were allowed to testify but had no legal say in the case. After a confusing ruling by the official that required a site review for mining activity occurring within the 200-foot buffer zone but exempted mining imposed on the butte and its immediate surrounds, Dexter residents asked their elected officials to appeal the decision to the state Land Use Board of Appeals or to Circuit Court. But the right-wing majority on the Lane County Board of Commissioners, including the neighbors’ own representative, Faye Stewart, voted against this request. Before the majority voted to block the appeal, Tea Party Libertarian and West Lane Commissioner Jay Bozievich chided the Dexter community, saying, “I believe that the hearings official has given you half a loaf right now,” and that this is more than the community deserves. He said Dexter should be happy with what it got. However, since the three mining advocates on the board believe that Lane County should take no enforcement action when trucks and mining machinery cut through the 200- foot buffer, the stark reality is that Dexter got nothing at all. That’s not entirely true. Dexter got a harsh lesson in how Oregon’s land use planning goals can be subverted by big business interests. The first goal of Oregon’s land use program is “citizen involvement.” Dexter’s involvement has been to watch as Lost Creek Rock Products reaps huge profits by crushing a community heritage into a commodity. Neighbors have been awarded front-row seats to silently witness the removal of a historic landmark and cultural icon. As soon as neighbors learned that Parvin Butte had been purchased from the railroad for $361,000, they explored the possibility of buying the property from the new owners. Demers and the McDougals said they’d let it go for $30 million. Dexter-Lost Valley neighbors and their supporters are committed to demanding justice. Even if Parvin Butte is fully removed from Lane County, they will fight on, directing their energies to changing the political landscape until laws are drafted to ensure that communities are granted the legal right to defend themselves against callous corporate interests. “Silent Witness: Parvin Butte, OR” To help tell the story of Parvin Butte, the community of Dexter-Lost Valley is fighting the devastating mine with art. Artists have come forward to bear witness to an environmental issue in Lane County’s own backyard, the mining of Dexter’s Parvin Butte, a historical natural resource. May 14, 6pm - 8pm: Opening reception, photographs by John Bauguess and Pete Helzer May 16, 6pm - 8pm: Jazz musicians Don Latarski and Friends May 18, 7pm - 9pm: Closing reception and poetry reading by Cecelia Hagen, Carter McKenzie, Ingrid Wendt, Ralph Salisbury, Erik Muller and Anita Sullivan Volunteer We need your help and expertise in this important effort to save this beautiful historic landmark. We are currently seeking volunteers to help by supporting the community’s participation in the decision-making process with Lane County and with Dexter-Lost Valley Community Association fundraising efforts to pay for legal services and expert witnesses needed to address the adverse impacts of this proposal. DLVCA PO BOX 89 DEXTER, OR 97431 Donate Visit us online to donate by PayPal or donations can be sent directly by mail to the Dexter-Lost Valley Community Association (DLVCA). Please make checks payable to DLVCA. Join us! Maude Kerns Art Center 1910 East 15th Eugene 541 345-1571 find out more Visit Maude Kerns Art Center May 14-18, and see for yourself the photographs of John Bauguess and Pete Helzer. Find us online at saveparvinbutte.org for more information and updates about the battle for Parvin Butte. Share the site with your friends save PARVIN Butte saveparvinbutte.org
