10A COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL JANUARY 18, 2017
Record number of eagles counted in Cottage Grove
BY CAITLYN MAY
cmay@cgsentinel.com
A group of bird enthusiasts
gathered on Jan. 14 to embark
on a cold journey to Cottage
Grove reservoir. Their goal? To
count bald eagles in the area and
report back.
The count occurs every year
but this yearಬs frigid weather
broke a record with tempera-
tures dipping down to 28 de-
grees during the count. Allison
Center, a Bureau of Land Man-
agement retiree who has been
taking part in the county for
over 20 years, led the group on
Saturday.
ಯWe report the number to
the Oregon Eagle Foundation,ರ
she said. Center also noted that
the Cottage Grove reservoir is
home to a resident pair of bald
eagles.
The animals can be found in
nearly all 50 states, Canada and
Mexico. They typically make
their homes near large bodies
of water and are known for their
stick nests which can be found
in higher branches of conifer
trees. The birds mate for life and
lay one to three eggs per year.
According to U.S. Fish and
Wildlife, the bald eagle was
removed from the federal list
of threatened and endangered
species thanks to the banning
of a specifi c pesticide and pro-
tections afforded to the animals
under the Endangered Species
Act. The act allowed for habitat
protections in areas bald eagles
use for nesting.
Cottage Grove, according to
Center, is home to a resident
pair of bald eagles but since the
species continues to thrive since
State of the City
an OBON Society exhibits
were huge successes in 2016.
It’s amazing for a library in a
community of just under 10,000
to have the number of programs
and activities.
Community Center stays busy
and full, the list is huge of all
the events and meetings that are
held in the community center. It
is truly a hub in the community
and is always busy.
Armory fundraising contin-
ues, and the window restoration
work will be completed in 2017.
With heat in the Drill Hall we
continue to see more use of the
building. This past year’s Model
Train Show, KNND’s Business
Expo, Eugene Film Festival,
Mayor’s Ball and the upcoming
Chamber of Commerce Ban-
quet all show how the building
can be used when restoration is
complete.
The City is continuing to
maintenance of the entire Row
River Trail. The trail and Scenic
bikeway are bringing a substan-
tial number of cyclists to the
community. We will continue to
work with the BLM to enhance
the maintenance of the trail to
maintain this valuable asset.
The Cities Row River Wa-
ter Treatment Plant was named
“Small Treatment Plant of the
Year” by the Northwest Mem-
brane Operator Association that
represents the 9 state region.
In an effort to continue to fi nd
ways to provide housing for all
members of the community the
City Council has supported the
efforts of the Cottage Village
Coalition in partnership with
Square One Village to develop
a tiny home project that will
provide much needed low cost
housing in the community.
Some challenges we face in
the New Year include:
Public safety and crime con-
being taken off the endangered
list, that number can change.
ಯTheyಬre could be more on the
reservoir,ರCenter said. ಯBut itಬs
hard to spot because they donಬt
develop the white head until
they are three or four years old.
Younger birds look like dark
brown osprey.ರ
Saturdayಬs fog dampened ef-
forts to capture photographs of
the birds but according to Cen-
ter, the group counted a record
number of the animals.
“We saw the most bald eagles
today that we have ever seen in
20 years,” she said. The group
noted eight birds at Dorena in-
cluding four adults and three ju-
veniles. Cottage Grove provid-
ed the group a sighting of two
adults and one juvenile.
continued from A1
tinue to be a concern
We will shortly exceed the
population of 10,000 Our infra-
structure. More housing.
In order to address these is-
sues, City council will start the
New Year with a goal setting
session. This session will be an
opportunity for councilors to
discuss in depth their goals for
the next year. We will prioritize
these goals 3 or 4 that will be
achievable in the short term as
well as steps to achieve longer
term goals.
2017 is shaping up to be
an incredible year for cycling
events in Cottage Grove. Right
now there are 4 major cycling
events that will be coming to
Cottage Grove,
We will be working to ad-
dress the needs of the swinging
pedestrian bridge. We are wait-
ing from OBEC engineers that
will identify cost estimates for
repair or replacement options
on the bridge.
Main Street Bridge, Harrison
Bridge and Silk Creek Bridge
on River Road will be repaired
this spring to address inspection
defi ciencies.
Taylor Pump Station is under-
way. This $1.1 million project
will eliminate a pump station
on the water distribution system
and improve water service and
fi re protection for a portion of
town. Included in the project are
upgrades to the remaining pump
station on Holly Avenue as well
including backup power.
E/BID was extended. I am
excited to be working with E/
BID for the next 5 years as they
continue to improve the econo-
my of Cottage Grove. We have
already seen the results with
the Main Street program the
Downtown Halloween, Turkey
Drop and Christmas Downtown
have been successes and have
brought people downtown, not
just on the days of the events but
back down other days. I hope
that work continues and more
businesses and individuals see
the essential need of the Main
Street program and the import-
ant role that the E/BID plays.
Already seeing the impact of
the part-time Code Enforcement
Offi cer in Community Develop-
ment and Community Service
Offi cer in the Police Depart-
ment. The Code Enforcement
Offi cer is getting a handle on
the issues and will be providing
some ideas for code improve-
ments. The Community Service
Offi cer in the Police Depart-
ment is nearing the completion
of training and we are already
seeing an increase in time offi -
cers are spending on patrol and
other duties.
In 2017 the Police Depart-
ment will be looking for more
Reserve offi cers and also will be
exploring the creation of a Ci-
vilian Volunteer Program. Any-
one interested in these opportu-
nities should contact the Chief.
Our police department has a
new Chief, Scott Sheperd. We
will also be getting a new Com-
munity Development Director
after the retirement of How-
ard Schesser at the end of this
month. It has been a job but it
also represents hours and hours
of commitment beyond just
working. Look forward to new
professional staff to continue
the work.
The city Council has made
a commitment to the safety of
our youth by stepping forward
to require the sidewalk to be in-
stalled around Lincoln Middle
School.
I’d now like to take this time to
recognize an outstanding life-
long individual who has spent
the last 15 years overcoming
adversities. Larry Woody, a
mechanic by trade was in an
auto accident in April of 2002
which resulted in him being
blind. Most would have given
up at this point, but Larry took
it as a challenge - continu-
ing to ride bicycles, atv’s and
occasionally driving a race car
at the local speedway, (with
the help of radios). In June of
2006 Larry purchased D&D
Automotive and went back to
work as a mechanic, along with
his son in law. Larry continued
to support the community and
help mentor young individuals
who wanted to learn his trade.
This past fall Larry retired and
turned the business over to his
daughter and son in law so he
could spend more time with his
family. It’s my pleasure to rec-
ognize Larry Woody with the
Mayoral Certifi cate of Appreci-
ation award.
Next I’d like to recognize an
outstanding business. The
Coast Fork Feed Company &
Brew Station. Not only has
the feed store become a vital
business to downtown, but also
the innovative expansion of
the Brew station has brought
another venue for downtown
entertainment and social gath-
ering. Their family friendly at-
mosphere promotes local artist,
bingo, fundraisers and meeting
places. They also promote
local beers and ciders on tap
as well as a supplier for home
brew and wine enthusiast. It’s
my pleasure to recognize The
Coast Fork Feed Company &
Brew Station with the Mayoral
Certifi cate of Appreciation.
In closing I think 2017 is going
to be a very busy but reward-
ing year for our city and I’m
excited to be serving you as
Mayor as we move forward to
the future.