sNok signflz JUNE 15, 2023 5 Lamprey harvest season runs through July 31 Photo by Michelle Alaimo The Tribe is purchasing the Hanson House Bed & Breakfast property, located at 23005 Yamhill River Road, in Willamina. The purchase is expected to close in mid-June. Tribal Council approves purchase of two properties By Danielle Harrison Smoke Signals assistant editor/staff writer Tribal Council approved purchas- ing two properties to use for its new Community Transitions Program during the Wednesday, May 31, meeting. The properties are the 9.27-acre Hanson House Bed & Breakfast located at 23005 Yamhill River Road in Willamina and the 8.5- acre Sabey property located behind the Chachalu Museum & Cultural Center in Grand Ronde. During a Legislative Action Com- mittee meeting held on Tuesday, May 30, Tribal Lands Department Manager Jan Reibach said the purchases are part of Health & Wellness Department Community Transitions Program projects and completely funded by the Project Turnkey grant with zero Tribal dollars being used. The property purchases are expected to close by mid-June. “These properties will provide supportive housing options for Tribal members with safe, structured and supervised housing,” Reibach said. According to a press release from the Oregon Community Foun- dation, which administers the state-funded grants, Project Turn- key was first approved by the state Legislature in 2020 and allocated $65 million to acquire motel and hotel properties for use as safe shel- ters for people experiencing home- lessness, at-risk of homelessness or displaced by the catastrophic wildfires. In less than seven months, Proj- ect Turnkey resulted in 19 new shelters in 13 counties, a 20-per- cent increase in the state supply of shelter beds. Each property is locally owned and operated by a local nonprofit organization or gov- ernment entity. Project Turnkey 2.0 was ap- proved by the Legislature in March and allocated $50 million in new funding for more transitional hous- ing around the state. The Tribe’s Health & Wellness Department rehired former Gen- eral Manager David Fullerton earlier this month to lead the new Community Transitions Program by ensuring the properties are de- veloped and ready for occupancy, as well as developing program policies and procedures. In other action, Tribal Council: • Approved the second supplemen- tal budget increase in 2023 for $2 million in additional funding for the Tribal Sponsorship Program (Tribal member grants), which will be funded by the gaming dividend; • Approved the Oregon Housing and Community Services home- ownership development program grant for $1.5 million, which will be used to partially fund six new homes in the Tribe’s new home- ownership development project for future ownership; • Approved a grant application to the Trillium Community Health Plan 2023 community benefit ini- tiative grant for $400,000, which will be used to fund a mobile opioid treatment unit; • Approved a modification to the Arrow Thin Logging Unit contract to allow for removal of downed and damaged trees from an area near the Tribe’s disc golf course next to Uyxat Powwow Grounds; • Approved a memorandum of understanding with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Depart- ment to jointly manage the Fort Yamhill State Park property with the eventual goal of the Tribe taking over ownership of the property; • Appointed former Grand Ronde Gaming Commission Executive Director Michael Boyce to serve as interim director of the com- mission due to the resignation of Tanner Fish, who is moving to Texas; • And enrolled two infants into the Tribe because they meet the enrollment requirements under the Tribal Constitution and En- rollment Ordinance. One approved authorization to proceed also was included in the May 31 Tribal Council packet to draft a cultural significance letter for the Willamette Wildlife Mitiga- tion Program for fiscal year 2025 project proposals. To watch the entire meeting, visit the Tribal government’s website at www.grandronde.org and click on the Government tab and then Videos. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has set lamprey season to run through Monday, July 31. Harvesting hours are from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Monday. Harvesting is not permitted Tuesday through Thursday, and is confined to the east side of Willamette Falls and does not include the “horseshoe area” at the peak of the falls. Harvesters should also avoid any lamprey ramps. Gear is restricted to hand or hand-powered tools only. A permit is required, but Tribal members are allowed to use their enrollment card in lieu of a state-issued permit. In addition, Tribal members may harvest for distribution to other Tribal members but this must be done without charge. Commercial sale of lamprey and use of lamprey as bait in fisheries is prohibited. The catch must be recorded on a harvest card available from the Tribal Natural Resources Department, 47010 S.W. Hebo Road, or the Clackamas ODFW office, 17330 S.E. Evelyn St. All harvest cards must be returned by Thursday, Aug. 31. Community Health Program Services Medical Transport Services Medical transportation services are available to Tribal members within the six-county service area when an alternate means of transportation is not available. Advance notice required. Please call 503-879-2078 to schedule a reservation. SAVE THE DATE! VETERAN SUMMIT & RESOURCE FAIR 10 A.M. – 4 P.M. • July 7, 2023 Uyxat Powwow Grounds, 9600 S.W. Hebo Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347 Join us for a day of gathering, healing and connection. Come learn about various benefits and resources. Enjoy lunch and connect with others! TRIBAL VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE Ad by Samuel Briggs III