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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (June 17, 2015)
A12 News Blue Mountain Eagle DEQ Wednesday, June 17, 2015 cern to everyone affected by the situation. His full statement ac- companies this article. At last week’s meeting, DEQ project manager Bryn Thoms said he expects it will take two to three weeks to pinpoint the The second part of the DEQ effort will entail assessing OMPANY RESPONDS groundwater, with soil and wa- ter extraction efforts underway property next week, which fected by this situation. this week. are intended to identify any Triangle Oil expresses its The third task is the source release of gasoline into the sincere empathy and con- cern for everyone who has investigation. environment. This week, vapor extraction Triangle Oil is commit- been inconvenienced in wells are being installed on some ted to complying with all any way. If Triangle Oil’s properties where the vapors applicable local, state and investigation concludes it have been relatively high. The federal laws and regulations is responsible for gasoline systems, made with PVC pipe, that apply to its bulk plant odors or other environmen- will be used to remove remain- and investigation. It is not tal impacts to the commu- ing vapors and/or contaminat- aware of any release of gas- nity, Triangle Oil will work ed groundwater from beneath oline at its bulk plant that with DEQ to remedy those buildings and the surrounding could explain the conditions impacts and protect human area. Homeowners were told that have been the subject of health and the environment. Sincerely, they can feel free to approach the EPA and DEQ’s emer- Russ Young, workers installing the equipment gency response. President and owner of to make suggestions on the best As a small, close knit placement, for example, to make community, we are all af- Triangle Oil Inc. it easier to mow the lawn. A fact sheet handed out by Thoms said it could take one exact cause of the problem. 7KHDJHQF\¿UVWZLOOIRFXVRQ to two months for the vapors to (3$RI¿FLDOVGHVFULEHVWKHSUR- “temporary mitigation,” he said, go down – and the fumes could cess. “These extraction wells pull making sure homeowners have spike at some point, before an LPSURYHPHQW RFFXUV 2I¿FLDOV contaminated material from the ventilation systems in place. “The DEQ’s priority is health noted that ventilation machines ground and treat it. Installation may include some noisy activi- have been helpful. issues,” he said. ty and some noticeable vapors. DEQ will monitor the systems for performance, noise levels and noticeable vapors in the outdoor air. DEQ will contin- ue to work with the potentially responsible party on source in- vestigation and control of petro- leum releases.” Franklin said if residents smell a new odor or if new prob- lems crop up, they should call John Day Dispatch at 541-575- 0030, and the state will be noti- ¿HGLPPHGLDWHO\ It was also noted that resi- dents in the area of the fumes should not drink well water. “I want to remind folks to call if there is a problem … We know you’re probably a little bit tired (of this),” Franklin said at the close of the meeting. For concerns about the health effects of vapors, call John Combs at the Grant Coun- ty Health Department, 541-575- 0429. For other information, call Bryn Thoms, 971-563-7298. crowd last weekend. In addition to Reynolds, the presenters included Edie Komning, bringing to life Emma Dustin; Rose Coombs, as Emeline McCallum Hazel- tine; Andrew Copenhaver, as John Long; Dave Traylor, as O.P. Cresap; Sam Bentz, as Dr. F.C. Horsley; Leslie Traylor, as Annie Luce; and Chris Lewal- len, presenting Louisa Sewell. The actors took their po- sitions near the appropriate headstones, and waited for the visitors to stroll through the cemetery lanes and gather for their talks. The Historical Museum provided a brochure with brief biographies of the historic char- acters featured in the event, as well as a few others that are apt to crop up in future programs – F.C. Sels and Cy Bingham, among them. The Friends invite res- idents and visitors alike to learn more about the county’s FRORUIXO KLVWRULFDO ¿JXUHV E\ Eagle photos/Scotta Callister visiting the museum in Can- Chris Lewallen awaits her turn to talk about the life of yon City. Louisa Sewell, a subject she hopes to turn into a book. Leslie and Dave Traylor each had a role in the Voices of the Past program last Saturday. C Editor’s note: Follow- ing is the statement issued Monday by Russ Young of Triangle Oil. Triangle Oil Inc. is com- mitted to determining wheth- er the recent gasoline odors along South Canyon are in any way related to its bulk plant facility. It is work- ing closely with DEQ and EPA, and it has retained an experienced environmental consultant to spearhead its investigation, which is al- ready underway. That inves- tigation will include a variety of activities at the bulk plant Continued from Page A1 • Fresh gasoline was found in vapor tests at the Grant Coun- ty Library parking lot and on Fourth Street near the alley. “The good news is the va- pors have not moved and ha- ven’t gone any farther than the complaints,” Franklin said. The EPA announced last week it was wrapping up its role in the probe, turning it over to the state Department of Envi- URQPHQWDO4XDOLW\2I¿FLDOVDOVR said Triangle Oil is looking into the problem. Russ Young, president of Triangle Oil, said he is working with the DEQ and EPA, and conducting a private investiga- tion into the matter to determine if the vapors are related to his bulk plant facility. In a statement issued Mon- day, Young also expressed con- PAST Continued from Page A1 Born in 1870, she died in 1963 – but her life was one of several highlighted for the ( ) = Bargain Matinee $9 Adult, $7 Senior (60+), Youth RANCH Continued from Page A1 02193 INSIDE OUT PG - Disney/Pixar Animation. After young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions conflict on how to best navigate a new city, house, and school. FRI-THURS (4:20) 7:20 9:30 JURASSIC WORLD PG-13 - 22 years after the events of Jurassic Park, Isla Nublar now features a fully functioning dinosaur theme park, Jurassic World. FRI-THURS (4:00) 7:00 9:40 INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3 PG-13 - Horror. A prequel set before the haunting of the Lambert family. FRI-WED (4:00) 7:10 9:35 THURSDAY(4:00) 7:10 9:35 SPY R - Comedy. A desk-bound CIA analyst volunteers to go undercover to infiltrate the world of a deadly arms dealer. FRI-THURS (4:10) through the use of prescribed fire and pre-commercial thin- ning. “Roger and Meredith’s goal has always been to leave a KHDOWK\ ¿UH UHVLVWDQW IRUHVW IRU future generations,” he said. The Box T Ranch is also home for one of the largest trees currently growing in Grant &RXQW\±D'RXJODV¿UUHIHUUHG to by the family as “General Grant.” The tree has a diameter of 72 inches and an estimated lumber volume of 9,000 board “It’s a Grand Ol’ Flag” GRANT COUNTY 4TH OF JULY PRAIRIE CITY PARADE REGISTRATION Category: P rize: Address: City: Name: Phone: Zip: feet, and is about 600 years old. Roger is retired after 30 years as an educator in Grant School District No. 3, and Meredith worked 17 years as the Grant County Court clerk. They contin- ue their day-to-day ranching oper- ations as the Box T Ranch reaches Century Farm/Ranch status. The Oregon Tree Farm Sys- tem helps private forest land- owners manage their lands with the goals of conserving forest, water, and wildlife while pro- moting natural resources based recreational opportunities. They support the responsible harvest of renewable resources and the Oregon Wood Products Indus- try. Description: Riders: A. Classic Vehicles B. Floats C. Walking Individuals D. Non-motorized Vehicles E. Walking Groups F. Horse Drawn Entries G. Mounted Individuals H. Mounted Groups I. Decorated Vehicles J. ATV/Dirtbikes, Motorized K. Derby Cars/Custom L. Trucks M. Emergency Vehicles I agree to enter the parade at my own risk and release PCCA, The City of Prairie City and the Volunteer Fire Dept. from any and all liability. I agree to obey rules of the parade committee for the safety of others. Name: Date: Take preregistration to Bar WB or Mail to: Bar WB, PO Box 924, Prairie City, 97869. For further information call (541) 820-3675 • fax (541-820-3753) Join us in Prairie City for a Grant Co. 4th of July “IT’S A GRAND OL’ FLAG” You are invited to join our parade Grand Marshals: Jim & Lynette Sullens Whiskey Gulch gang Cannon salute starts the parade. Parade Time: 12:00 Noon Parade Line-up on North Johnson Parade Judging 11:15 Entry Forms available at: Bar WB, The roan coffee Shop J.D. City Hall & P.C. City Hall S weepstakes winner receives $ 100.00 cash award. Before the Parade: Fabulous Flapjacks 7am-10am at the Teen Center American legion Hamburgers at the VFW Hall After Parade: Tug O’ War - John Day Fire Department “Slice of Pie” - to support the Food Bank Fay Burrill Memorial Jackpot Horseshoe Tournament 1pm? PC Basketball BarBQ Lori Butterfield of Joseph is accompanied by a preserved Alaskan wolf at a booth at the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association meeting in John Day. The Eagle/Scotta Callister WOLF Continued from Page A1 The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife investigator ruled it a “probable” kill, not FRQ¿UPHG D FDOO WKDW VWXQQHG Nash. He appealed the decision, but to no avail. He noted such appeals are heard within the agency. The OCA is pressing the state to have livestock death investigations handled by a different agency, and several in the John Day audience echoed that stand, calling it unfair for an agency to police its own de- cisions. &RQ¿UPDWLRQ QXPEHUV could be critical to the ranch- ers’ case for delisting wolves and empowering landowners to eliminate problem wolves. Wolf advocates argue against delisting and lethal force, and have cited relatively low kill counts to bolster their case. As noted at the meet- LQJ ZLWKRXW FRQ¿UPHG NLOOV wolf advocates can claim the problems are minimal and that nonlethal control methods are working. Asked about the nonlethal methods, Nash noted the state urges ranchers to clean up their FDUFDVV SLOHV DQG XVH ÀDJJLQJ FDOOHG ÀDGU\ WR GLVFRXUDJH Member APPRECIATION DAY June 26 th 11:30 am - 2:00 pm Please stop by and join us in celebratin g Scheduled Events: Fun for all ages, Concert in the park “The Area” will be playing 2pm-5pm Fabulous FFA Tri-Tip Dinner Water Games at the City Park 1pm-5pm Green Thumb Garden Club Serving Strawberry Shortcake 10am-4pm De Witt Museum open to the public Fireworks at dusk on the Oxbow Ranch Presented by GPCCA and the City of Prairie City enjoy Please come ks. chips & drin hamburgers, O L D W E S T FEDERAL CREDIT UNION 650 W. Main | John Day wolves from hanging around their ranches. Although he acknowledged carcasses will attract wolves, he said, “I have mixed feelings about that. If they’re eating dead cattle, they’re not eating live cattle.” Nash said he and other UDQFKHUV KDYH IRXQG ÀDGU\ “next to useless” unless it’s HOHFWUL¿HGEXWKHVDLGNHHSLQJD charge in wet, snowy or windy terrain is impossible. Nash said another obsta- FOH WR FRQ¿UPLQJ NLOOV LV WKDW wolves tend to leave little evi- dence behind. He showed a trail cam- era photo of a pack of wolves working on a large cow carcass. He said when the camera owner went back to the site a day lat- er to repost the camera, only a single hoof was found on the ground. More often, ranchers will end up with missing animals but no way to prove wolves at fault. Nash said the impacts ranch- ers extend beyond missing or dead animals. “Just getting them run, chased, can be pretty traumat- ic,” he said, noting the weight and reproduction losses add up. He cited one rancher’s expe- rience: after turning out 90 pair, he ended up short nine calves and seven cows. The other cows came back at unusually low weights, a sign of being harried by predators. The overall losses were valued at more than $46,000, but the rancher was left with- RXW FOHDU HYLGHQFH WR FRQ¿UP wolves as the culprits. Nash also noted continuing battles in the political arena, where the proposal to delist wolves in Oregon is a hot topic. ODFW says the state has 77 known wolves, and is at seven breeding pairs, enough to war- rant removing them from the state endangered species list. The state Fish and Wildlife Commission is expected to make a decision on delisting as early as next fall. The Oregon Wolf Plan also faces a 10-year review. Nash noted the state’s tally of 77 wolves is only a “minimum count” – represent- ing “known” wolves, those ob- served or collared. Nash said the real count would be much higher, but it’s harder to see a wolf than most people think. He said wolves have been documented in the area where he ranches since 2008, “and I’ve only seen two so far.”