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June 15,
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A Publication of the Grand Ronde Tribe
June 15, 2000
No contamination in city's water supply
Arsenic, creosote and other chemicals used to treat wood at Taylor Lumber have contaminated their site.
So far, the contamination has not showed up in tests of Sheridan's drinking water supply.
By Brent Merrill
Tribal members living in the Wil
lamina and Sheridan areas shquld be
aware that a potential danger to hu
man health and welfare is currently
being treated and cleaned up at Taylor
Lumber and Treating Plant.
According to the Environmental Pro
tection Agency (EPA), Taylor's wood
treatment facility at 22125 Rock Creek
Road is a contaminated site. The facil
ity is located at the intersection of Rock
Creek Road and Highway 18 one mile
west of Sheridan.
The contamination comes from chemi
cals used in the wood treating process
that have reached the groundwater
under the site.
"Chemicals used during the treat
ment of lumber at Taylor Lumber and
Treatment have been found in high con
centrations in the soil, groundwater and
drainage ditches around the facility,"
said the EPA in a press release on their
website. "Chemicals of concern have
also been found in water samples taken
from the Yamhill River. EPA has evalu
ated the site and determined that a
threat to human health and the envi
ronment exists from prolonged exposure
to contaminated soils and water. Im
mediate action is being taken to pre
vent exposure to and further migration
of the chemicals found at the site. EPA
is using authorities and funding pro
vided by the federal Superfund law to
conduct necessary immediate cleanup
activities."
Superfund is the federal govern
ment's program to clean up the nation's
hazardous waste sites.
Taylor Lumber has been working
with the EPA for the last year in clean
ing up their facility- Despite delays from
heavy rainfall this past winter, con
taminated soils have been excavated
continued on page 9
Vj
The Grand Ronde Tribe's Natural Resources Department will continue to
monitor the water quality of the South Yamhill River, which runs through
the city of Sheridan. Exposure of contaminates to endangered fish popula
tions and recreational users of the river has prompted local concern.
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ELDER HOUSING DEVELOPMENT: Each housing unit is energy efficient and
provides affordable heating costs and comfort for the resident. Units
are heavily insulated for noise and weather protection and completely
furnished with brand new appliances (including washer and dryer). A
wide concrete walking path with wheelchair access and seating areas
will surround the entire housing site.
Elder housing opportunities
in Grand Ronde still available:
Affordable rental units at the Elders Housing Development
n 4 lots available for lease to Elders at Grand Meadows
For more information, please contact Bryan Langley at 879-2467
Sjv Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde I PRESORTED
Community of Oregon FIRST-CLASS MAIL
W 9615 Grand Ronde Road y s POSTAGE PAID
MJ Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347 SALEM; OR
jf Address Service Requested PERMIT NO. 178
i University of Oregon Library
i Received on: 06-15-2000 y
Sen Smoke signals rariJ
129
Food Bank receives grant
of $15,000 to fight hunger
By Justin Phillips
The Grand Ronde Community Re
source Center Food Bank received a
grant that will assist with purchases
of a storage trailer equipped with a re
frigeration unit, more nutritious food
and a van for distribution and pick up.
The grant was awarded by the Native
American Hunger Program in associa
tion with First Nations Development
Institute and Kraft Foods to help allevi
ate hunger among members of 17 reservation-based
programs in 11 states be
ing funded to expand its meal program.
Since opening its doors last year, the
Food Bank has served an average of 42
families a month. On an average of
170 people that are served each month,
45 are Tribal members.
"Tribal Council has been a great
help," said Marvin Kimsey, vice presi
dent of the Food Bank. "Donations are
how we keep operating."
Oregon has one of the worst hunger
problems in the nation, according to a
study by the U.S. Department of Agri
culture. The state ranked sixth in what the
department calls "food insecurity," a
gauge of how many people either go
hungry or lack consistent access to ad
equate food.
The Grand Ronde Food Bank averages
4100 lbs. per month with four volun
teers working to help distribute the food.
"One of the reasons why the storage
trailer with refrigeration is needed is
so we can stock up just in case of an
emergency," said Tim Holmes, board
president of the Food Bank. "In the
event of an emergency right now, we
would run out of food."
Holmes and Kimsey would like to
thank Ha Berger, Chuck Eisle, Betty
Lambert, Betty Hull, Norris Merrill,
Tribal Council and several others for all
their hard work.
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The Grand Ronde Community Resource Center Food Bank recently received
a $15,000 grant from the Native American Hunger Program. The Grant will
help to fund a refrigerated storage trailer and a van to transport the food.
Pictured from left: Tribal Council members Ed Pearsall and Ed Larsen, Food
Bank Secretary Katrina Herber, Food Bank Vice President Marvin Kimsey,
Tribal Council member Butch LaBonte, Food Bank President Tim Holmes, Tribal
Council member June Sell-Sherer and Oregon Lobbyist for Kraft Foods Dave
Barrows. Photo by Brent Merrill