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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 28, 2013)
“The decision says that the way the code is written, they don’t have to do any site review at all,” says Dan Stot- ter, the attorney for the neighbors. “But the language is very poorly written, and it is ambiguous as to whether site review is required or not required if there’s a 200-foot buf- fer.” This 200-foot buffer around the mining site has served as a source of contention in the case. Last year, Lane Coun- ty Hearings Offi cial Gary Darnielle decided that LCRP’s truck traffi c passing through the 200-foot buffer counted as mining activity within the buffer, which triggered site review. The recent LUBA decision invalidated that ruling, al- lowing LCRP, a project of the McDougal brothers and Greg Demers, to continue their mining operations without site review. Stotter says he will petition to the Oregon Court of Ap- peals, where the debate will continue as to whether or not site review is required. “The neighbors have to challenge this issue,” Stotter says. “They’re seeking to have some control. Without site review, this is a completely unregulat- ed operation from the point of land use.” — Amy Schneider OSU STUDY LOOKS AT MCKENZIE FLOWS As winter turns to spring, the McKenzie River fl ows toward Eugene with impressive force. While powerful, the river is not invincible — in fact, snow-fed rivers with slow drainage systems like the McKenzie are more susceptible to the effects of climate change than other kinds of river systems, according to a new study out of OSU in Corvallis. Rivers like the McKenzie in the high Cascades water system are more vulnerable to climate change partly be- cause of the unique geological formations in the Cascades. According to Gordon Grant, a fl uvial geomorphologist with the Forest Service and co-author of the study, McKenzie Pass in the Cascades Range serves as a good example be- cause its lava fl ows are full of fractures and holes. Melted snow or rain that seeps into the porous rock at McKenzie Pass takes longer to reach a non-permeable surface, and after that, it is slowed even more by a lack of steepness. “It’s basically the same thing as if you were on a bicycle,” Grant says. “If you were going downhill and it wasn’t steep, you wouldn’t go as fast.” This slowness allows the water to gradually fl ow into river systems, lasting into late summer. The study looked at 81 watersheds over a 60-year period and determined that river systems with less steepness and more permeability will see diminished late summer fl ows as the climate warms. But this doesn’t mean the water will disappear anytime soon; in fact, Grant says these kinds of groundwater systems allow Oregon to have more water than other places. “But if you follow this idea that slow, snow-fed systems will lose the most water in the late season, we’ll have less water than we have now,” Grant says. This could affect water uses, in- cluding power generation, irrigation and fi sh survival. This information probably won’t spur much action to slow climate change, according to a recent Oregon Sea Grant survey. The online survey polled 348 Oregon coast leaders, and while 60 percent of them acknowledged that climate change is happening, and most believe that their professional efforts toward addressing climate change would benefi t the community, it was ranked less of a concern than a fl oundering economy or a tsunami threat. — Amy Schneider It’s TAX TIME save 25 % off with this ad • 2012 Long Or Short Form • starting at $95 after discount Applies to Federal/State long/short form and attachments Does the Government owe you money? When you have Accurate Bookkeeping & Tax Service prepare your 2012 return, we’ll review your 2009 through 2011 for FREE. Our Professional Staff Susan Ralls Certifi ed Public Accountant Carol Roberts Licensed Tax Preparer Cynthia Hauke Enrolled Agent, LTC William Giacomazzi Enrolled Agent, LTC Marcello Innocenti Enrolled Agent, LTC 5242 Elizabeth Northrop, Margaret Innocenti, Leah Ennion & Dan Baker Licensed Tax Preparers Accurate Bookkeeping & Tax Service 2757 River Rd. (Regular Business Hours) • 1170 Garfi eld (By Appt. Only) since 1992 • 541-689-7071 • www.abtscorp.com OPEN HOUSE Every Sunday at River Road Offi ce • Free Refreshments eugeneweekly.com • February 28, 2013 9
