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SPIWT MOUNTAIN
STAMPEDE
Plans are underway for this years RODEO in GRAND
RONDE. We have special volunteers, but we need more people
for ticket sales, advertising, parking, clean-up, and stock pens.
This will be an 8 -event rodeo including: bull riding, saddle
bronc riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, women's barrel rac
ing, team roping, and wild horse riding.
If you are willing to serve on a committee, or would like
more information please call Susan Winters at 879-3704 or
Ed Larsen at 879-2301.
Public Notice
Environmental Assessment completed for the proposed
Sharkey's Bend Logging Unit, Grand Ronde Indian Reservation
The Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed Sharkey's Bend Logging Unit
is completed and available for review. Copies may be obtained at the Confederated
Tribes of Grand Ronde, Natural Resources Division in Grand Ronde. The EA discloses
the issues and environmental effects associated with the proposed action and alternatives
to the proposed action. The Natural Resources Division (NRD) of the Confederated
Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon propose three alternative actions for
the regeneration harvest of a 32.7 acre stand of 1 15 year old Douglas-fir and hemlock
located in Sections 15 and 16, Township 5 South, Range 8 West, Willamette Meridian,
within Yamhill County, Oregon on the Grand Ronde Indian Reservation. A "No Ac
tion" alternative is also presented. The project area lies approximately 20 miles north
east of Lincoln City. The harvest is proposed to meet the Tribe's sustained yield and
revenue generation obligations. Alternative A proposes a regeneration harvest of 32.7
acres of conifer including the construction of one temporary road. Alternative B differs
from Alternative A, in that riparian buffers would be maximized. Alternative C differs
from Alternative A by proposing to harvest an additional 0.4 acre "island" of large tim
ber. Alternative D is the no action alternative that proposes not to harvest this stand at
this time. Riparian leave areas are integrated with all alternatives to protect streams,
riparian flora and fauna, provide for a visual buffer along Agency Creek. The Tribes
have chosen Alternative A, the Proposed Action, as the preferred alternative.
The EA is available for public review and comment for 15 days. The public comment
period will begin on the first day after original publication of this notice. The public
official responsible for the decision regarding the alternatives is Stan Speaks, Portland
Area Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Written comments should be addressed to
The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Natural Resources Division, P.O. Box 70,
Willamina, Oregon. For further information or to provide oral comments, contact Mr.
Jeff Kuust at (503) 879-2379. Comments received will be considered by the Respon
sible Official before a final decision is made.
What's all the fuss about Watersheds?
The Tribal Natural Resources Division is involved with two local watershed basin coun
cils. Kathleen Feehan, the Tribe's Environmental Protection Coordinator, regularly at
tends meetings in McMinnvillc for the Yamhill Basin Council who serve most of Yamhill
and the northwestern portion of Polk counties. Kelly Doerksen, the Tribe's Fish and
Wildlife Biologist, is a member of the Ncstucca Basin Council. This council was formed
out of concern for the water resources connected with the Big and Little Ncstucca Rivers
and their tributaries such as Three Rivers and Beaver Creek. Local councils have the
opportunity to be important facilitators between local community and various levels of
government in support of water quality initiatives. Ideally, water quality programs should
be initiated at the local level as this community has the best opportunity to identify poten
tial problems with their water sources and has the most at stake when water quality in an
area is poor. Local stakeholders arc also usually in the best position to identify concrete
solutions to improve degraded water conditions.
A watershed is an integral part of the natural water cycle. Water filters through the soils
and vegetation in an area and is eventually released into streams or lakes. A watershed is
defined by the geography of an area. In other words, the area between two ridge tops
which drains into a distinct stream or lake is considered a watershed. In the process of
filtering water through the soils and vegetation, a watershed works as both a natural filter
and a storage reservoir. These functions increase water quality by removing excess nutri
ents and toxicants and regulating stream flow during high-water events.
Human activities often decrease watershed effectiveness or otherwise damage water
quality. By removing vegetation, increasing soil compaction, or otherwise making soils
impermeable to water, activities such as road building and construction increase run-off
and decrease an area's ability to filter water before it enters streams or lakes. Insecticides
or pesticides used near non-vegetated streams will enter the water source without proper
filtering. The grazing of cattle near streams will increase stream-side erosion and intro
duce animal feces directly into the water source.
As with recycling and waste reduction, there are things that individuals can do to
help protect local water supplies. The simple idea of the environment as a natural
filter and reservoir should help bring some ideas to mind. Here are a few to start the
process:
Leave existing vegetation along streams and ditches. Enhance or plant trees and bushy
vegetation along scarcely or non-vegctated streams, ponds, and ditches.
Keep the use of pesticides or herbicides away from rivers and streams. Apply such
chemicals sparingly and consider planting pest and disease resistant plants.
Develop off-stream livestock watering facilities or fence streams to control livestock
access to streams.
Recycle used motor-oil. Do not dump on streets or into run-off drains as these empty
directly into the nearest water source.
Use biodegradable soap when washing your car. Wash your car on the lawn instead of
the driveway to decrease run-off.
Water conservation activities around the house will help decrease excess run-off as well
as save water. Water lawns during the evenings and cooler times of the day. Use low-flow
faucets and shower heads.
Contact your local watershed council listed below to find out about stream restoration
projects planned for your area or other ways that you can help:
Yamhill Basin Council: Melissa Lconi, Coordinator at 503-472-6403.
Nestucca Basin Council: Bill Apple at 503-815-2562.
For questions or concerns about water quality in your area, or for a complete list of local
water basin councils, pleasw contact Kathleen Feehan or Katie Higgins-Wheeler at the
Tribal Natural Resources Department at 503-879-2395.
If you have recently moved or plan on moving, let us know so you
won't miss a single issue of your favorite newspaper. Smoke Signals
is available to anyone at no cost. Just fill out this form with your
name and address, then mail it back to Smoke Signals, Attn: Kim
Mueller, 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347.
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