A8
LOCAL
Wallowa County Chieftain
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Local man to join Water Resources Commission
about how it applies to my the statewide goals of the fi rmed by the Senate and
property specifi cally. The commission.”
serve four-year terms.
resource of water is one of
Wolfe said he sees the
Merah, in explain-
the most valuable. I have ing the commission, said appointment and subse-
been diligent to understand it “sets statewide water quent service as a learn-
how that works.”
resources policy and over- ing opportunity and to be
Wolfe is fi lling a
on the forefront, he
vacancy in the sev-
said, of the changes
en-person commission
he believes are com-
“AS MUCH WATER AS
left by Bruce Corn,
ing concerning water
THERE IS FLOWING
according to Elizabeth
use.
“As much water
Merah, press secretary
THROUGH WALLOWA
as there is fl ow-
for Brown.
“He
will
rep-
ing through Wal-
COUNTY, IT IS A SCARCE
resent the Eastern
lowa County, it is
Region,
consisting
a scarce resource.
RESOURCE.”
of the Owyhee, Mal-
As our regional and
Woody Wolfe, appointed to the
heur, Grande Ronde,
global population
state’s Water Resources Commission
Malheur Lake, Mid-
grows, it’s going to
dle Snake and Pow-
have to be regulated
der drainage basins,”
to a greater degree,”
Merah wrote in an email sees the work of the Water he said. “Exactly what that
to the Chieftain. “Mr. Resources
Department. looks like, I don’t know. I
Wolfe will work with the Five commission members felt like it was in my best
other commission mem- each represent one of the interest to maybe, pos-
bers in carrying out the regional river basins, and sibly, have a say in what
duties of the commis- two members represent a that looks like and have a
sion. ... As he will repre- portion of the state in an voice in the decisions that
sent the Eastern Region (as “at-large” capacity.”
are made. If the rest of the
Commission members commission doesn’t share
described above), he will
bring his perspectives on are appointed to the posi- my perspective on certain
that region to contribute to tion by the governor, con- things, at least I will know
State Senate
approval set to
come today
By RONALD BOND
Wallowa County Chieftain
WALLOWA — A Wal-
lowa County man is set to
join a state committee.
Woody Wolfe, who
owns a farm between Wal-
lowa and Lostine, was
recently appointed to the
Water Resources Commis-
sion by Oregon Gov. Kate
Brown.
The appointment awaits
a fi nal confi rmation by the
state senators, with a vote
set to come today, Wednes-
day, Sept. 22.
“I guess it either means
I was qualifi ed or nobody
else applied,” Wolfe said.
“I had a couple friends
hit me up about applying.
They felt I would be a good
candidate. I’ve always been
interested in water law
and become fairly averse
what those changes are
when it happens.
“My perspective is that
if changes are made, we
need to try to gain effi -
ciencies in water use either
from a consumptive stand-
point or an evaporation
standpoint. I don’t really
have an opinion as far as
we need to see more reg-
ulation, I would be more
open to creative changes to
water law that can increase
effi ciencies.”
Wolfe has experience
with water effi ciency tasks
on his own property, fi nd-
ing ways over the years to
use the resource in an eff ec-
tive manner.
“I’ve been successfully
awarded a grant for an
irrigation effi ciency proj-
ect which was through the
Water Resource Depart-
ment,” he said. “That has
given me some experience
with water transfers and
water statutes and some
of the things that are ave-
nues to the use of the Water
Resource Department that
I think the average irriga-
tor doesn’t have. I’ve been
an active conservationist on
my own property, and that
has led me to work with
the Water Resource Depart-
ment on a fair amount.
I have some experience
there.”
He also believes he can
apply his knowledge of
Wallowa County to the rest
of the region he’ll cover for
the commission.
“I have extensive knowl-
edge of the geographical
region of a small part of
Wallowa County,” he said.
“Part of my task will be
applying what I know and
manipulating that to under-
stand how things work
in Ontario or Burns, or
places that are geographi-
cally diff erent and having
the thought process of ‘Can
things work there or can it
not apply.’”
The term Wolfe is serv-
ing runs through June 30,
2025.
First snow of the season arrives in Wallowa County
Conatact Elaine at 541-263-1189
After a mid-afternoon
rainfall on the fl oor of the
Wallowa Valley, on Saturday,
Sept. 18, 2021, the clouds
cleared enough to reveal the
fi rst snow of the season on
the mountains above.
Meet Timothy!
Timmy, born approx. April 20,
2021 is a neutered male marb-
led tabby. He was found in a hay-
stack with his two sisters Barley
and Alfalfa. Timmy is up-to-date on
vaccines, dewormed and is litter box
trained. Unfortunately, Timmy was on
hold for a paid adoption but it didn’t work
out so he’s back on the market! Timmy is full of
energy, full of love and dreams of a home
that will spoil him! Will that be you?
Photo by Bill Bradshaw/
Wallowa County Chieftain
Brought to you by,
Available for Adoption
Call Julia at 541-398-0393
$65 adoption fee
http://www.wallowacountyhumanesociety.org/
Volunteers sought for dog sled race
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The Observer
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teer fair for the Eagle Cap
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Wallowa County
FREE
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No meeting until further notice
but look forward to seeing you soon!
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not just propane!
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*Addtional rebates up to $100 apply.
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JOSEPHY CENTER FOR
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403 Main Street Joseph, Oregon
The Nature Conservancy Youth
Bull ELk
Hunt
Independent
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assisting you with your
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JAC’s Innovative Sales and Marketing Solutions
Contact Jennifer Cooney TODAY!
jacs.isms@gmail.com • 541-805-9630
OPPORTUNITY
On the 33,000 acre
Zumwalt Prairie
The Nature Conservancy would like
to offer a youth bull elk hunting
opportunity to the youth of Wallowa
County. Wallowa County youth
between the age of 12-17 with a
valid elk tag for Chesnimnus 258X
OR 258Y are eligible to apply for
permission to hunt the Zumwalt
Preserve. One permission per season
will be granted via random draw.
Youth must be accompanied by an
adult. Opportunity is for one bull elk
with 5 points or less on each side.
To sign up:
Email Chad Dotson at chad.dotson@tnc.org
Deadline to apply October 8th