LOCAL
Wallowa.com
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
A3
Plan for East Moraine a step closer to completion
Survey shows
public concern
focuses on
preventing
overuse
MORE
INFORMATION
By ELLEN MORRIS
BISHOP
For the Wallowa County
Chieftain
ENTERPRISE — The
management plan for the
public lands on the south
end of Wallowa Lake’s East
Moraine is one step closer to
reality.
After seven months of
compilation, the survey of
public opinions, concerns
and vision for the 1,800-acre
county-owned property is
fi nally ready to become part
of planning.
The survey showed broad
support for maintaining the
East Moraine in its open,
natural state as it is now. But
it also revealed a need to
help the public understand
the essential working nature
of the property’s landscape.
More than 450 people
participated in the survey.
Sixty-three percent were
full-time residents, 16%
part-time residents with the
remaining 21% were visi-
tors. The majority (86%) use
the moraine for recreation.
Additional input came from
35 people in seven focus
groups. All but one live in
the county full time.
“The survey and focus
group
questions
were
designed to gather input
on specifi c values and uses
which the Wallowa Lake
Moraines Partnership (Wal-
lowa County, Wallowa
Resources, Wallowa Land
Trust and Oregon Parks and
Recreation Department) …
is committed to preserving,”
said Eric Greenwell, the
Wallowa Land Trust’s con-
servation director.
The survey also aimed
to identify potential con-
fl icts between multiple
uses. Those confl icts might
include grazing vs. recre-
ation or forest management
vs. cultural resource, for
example.
Many survey respondents
were concerned that the cul-
tural, wildlife and vegetative
resources not be overused.
“The moraine is beautiful;
people are attracted to it,”
the survey summary says.
“Respondents worry that we
might ‘love the moraine to
death.’”
“If actions are taken to
call attention to the East
Moraine or turn it into an
attraction beyond what it has
been in recent years, tourist
impact will increase and nat-
urally create confl icts with
wildlife and what have been
traditional uses in recent
decades,” one respondent
wrote.
Most respondents recog-
nized that conserving Nez
Perce cultural resources is
important, and nearly 20%
specifi cally mentioned the
need to protect sacred sites,
cultural artifacts, landmarks
and archeological areas.
But some expressed con-
cern about recognizing only
indigenous cultural sites and
considered local traditions
The 1,800-acre Yanke
property on the south
end of the East Moraine
became Wallowa County
property in January
2020. The funds used
to purchase the prop-
erty were raised by the
Wallowa Lake Moraines
Partnership, which was
formed in August 2011
and is comprised of
Wallowa County, Wallowa
Resources, Wallowa Land
Trust and Oregon Parks
and Recreation Depart-
ment. The acquisition
was funded by a combi-
nation of federal, state,
tribal and private dollars,
with the expectation
that their support would
further the partnership’s
stated vision for the
greater moraines of
Wallowa Lake:
Ellen Morris Bishop/For the Wallowa County Chieftain
The East Moraine provides a commanding view of Wallowa Lake. A management plan for the public lands on the south end of
Wallowa Lake’s East Moraine is one step closer to reality.
• Maintain sustainable
working landscapes of
farms, forests and range-
land to contribute to the
local economy and rural
ways of life.
• Provide public ac-
cess respectful of the
landscape and its scenic
beauty.
• Protect open space for
wildlife, recreation, and
natural resources.
part of cultural heritage.
Dogs’ potential to create
problems for cattle, wild-
life and recreationalists was
a potential source of confl ict
for many. More than 40% of
respondents said they’d like
to see dogs on leash at all
times or restricted in some
way, including banning dogs
from the East Moraine.
Respect for private prop-
erty was important. More
than 60% of comments sup-
ported posting signs or other
information about private
property. Some proposed
fi nes, physical barriers, or
even trail cameras.
The Partnership is com-
mitted to managing the East
Moraine’s forests as a sus-
tainable working landscape,
including some harvest as
part of management. About
70% of comments indicated
a support for some logging,
especially selective thinning
and sustainable forestry.
Some comments supported
use of fi re as a management
tool. But, the survey sum-
mary notes, “A fair number
of responses simply rejected
the premise that any logging
should be allowed. The proj-
ect faces continued consen-
sus-building ahead.”
Grazing, which would
also be part of the moraine’s
working landscape, also
faced some concern and
opposition.
“Some folks saw posi-
tives in grazing … in keep-
ing with traditional use,”
the report states. “How-
ever, many tempered their
response with caveats: make
sure it’s well-managed in a
scientifi c way, don’t allow
overgrazing, etc.”
Questions about events,
including concerts, large
weddings and other fund-
raisers that can help pay for
Ellen Morris Bishop/For the Wallowa County Chieftain
Riders enjoy the grassy landscape atop the East Moraine property. A management plan for the public lands on the south end
of Wallowa Lake’s East Moraine is one step closer to reality.
management were included
in the survey. More than
a quarter of respondents
opposed any special events.
But about 75% of respon-
dents said they would sup-
port some events, including
weddings and special sport-
ing events such as walks,
runs or triathlons. Educa-
tional camps and musical
concerts got a positive nod,
along with nature fi eld trips
and events compatible with
working lands uses.
“Education about the
land’s multiple use and
its regulations will be an
important part of the East
Moraine’s management to
both dispel misconceptions
about natural resources and
stewardship and continue an
ongoing public information
program,” Greenwell said.
“Again and again, respon-
dents echoed the sentiment
‘keep it as it is,’ or expressed
concerns about a future of
increased use, confl icts and
over development.”
The East Moraine Com-
munity Survey summary
report may be read and
downloaded from a link
provided at https://www.
morainecampaign.org. The
link to the report is located
just beneath the main banner
on this page.
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