Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (July 15, 1996)
4 July 15, 1996 SMOKE SIGNALS FHA to repair Agency Creek road flood damage By Chris Mercier One of the more important, if lesser known, mishaps brought about by last February's flood is on schedule to be fixed. That would be the Agency Creek road. Unbeknownst to most tribal members, but to just about every truck driver who takes the route, a small section of the road was literally washed away during the tor rents five months ago. About three hun dred feet of road eventually gave way to the rising creek and downhill fiowagc (both powerful erodcrs), taking the pavement, earth and a handful of trees with it. Evidently, troubles arc nothing new to that segment of road, which is located be tween a recently clcarcut slope, and Agency Creek itself. Recent times have seen it sag under similar conditions, but those prob lems were easily remedied. The current state of the strip calls for more longer last ing measures. Rather than rely once again on the er ratic earth to support the road, contractors, through the Federal Highway Administra tion, plan to excavate the supporting ground to a firm base, and replace the removed soil with rock. The base will feature very large boulders, some 3 feet in diameter, and atop that will be settled a layer of riprap, boulders varying from l foot in diameter. Over this will rest the pavement. A silt fence will be in place at the toe of the slope while work is being performed to alleviate any erosion that may come off the site. A scries of new drains will also be installed under and alongside the road, as the last drain was lost dur ing the rains. Ironically, none of these preventive measures are abso lute, as contractors and ex perts from Natural Resources agree that the area belongs to a much greater slide-prone re gion. Engineers have insisted that the new road will with stand most storms and win ters, but a repeat of the rains of 19 will produce no guarantees. Of course, such disasters are infrequent in Or egon and especially these parts, occurring every forty or fifty years at best. For now, logging trucks and others have - mm f. h'- 1 " - . v . . - , ' .jet- been using a detour route. But use of the Agency Creek road is more efficient, being shorter and producing less wear and tear. Road restoration has been slated for mid July, with a duration of approximately four to six weeks. Estimated costs have reached the $170,000 range, but will probably exceed that. None of the dollar amount comes from the Tribe's pocket, but the FHA. SPIPsIT MOUNTAIN fCXMPEDG August and $5 2 p.m. at the Grand Ronde tribal pow-wow grounds 2 miles west of Spirit Mountain Casino Highway 18, Grand Ronde, Oregon Bareback Riding o Saddle Bronc Bull Riding Calf Roping o Steer Wrestling Women's Barrel Racing o Team Roping Breakaway o Wild Horse Race Mutton Bustin' for kids o Live Band Country Western Dancing Food Booths Entertainment o Rodeo Clowns and More! We have several volunteers, but we could use a few more for ticket sales, advertising, parking, clean-up, and stock pens please call Susan Winters at 879-3704 or Ed Larsen at 879-5360 or 879-2301. Vendors and sponsors also needed please call Leonette Galligher at 879-5061. Call 1-800-760-7977 for more information. Tickets: $7 for adults, $4 for kids. Tickets Available at the Casino and TicketMaster outlets. Rodeo put on by Northwest Rodeo Association Stock provided by Howell Rodeo Company
