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About The Columbia press. (Astoria, Or.) 1949-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 3, 2017)
November 3, 2017 T he C olumbia P ress Cougar population booming in coast range There were few, if any, cou- gars in the coast range a few decades ago. But as Oregon’s cougar pop- ulation gets healthier, more animals are making a foray west from population strong- holds in the Blue Mountains and South Cascades. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has ob- served more cougar harvest, sightings and damage complaints in recent years and, while researchers have studied cougar home range sizes, population densities and diet elsewhere, not much is known about the cougars living on the coast. A new study aims to change that through a research effort that will collar 10 adult cou- gars in the Alsea area, which includes parts of Lincoln and Benton counties. “Better data means better science-based management decisions, and this data will help refine our cougar pop- ulation estimates for this re- gion,” says Jason Kirchner, district wildlife biologist. The research also will help the agency assess the effect of their presence on prey pop- ulations, he said, “so we can improve management and conservation decisions for both cougars and ungulate species on the coast.” There are more than 6,000 cougars throughout the state with an estimated 950 in the coastal range, which runs the length of the state. ODFW will work with volunteer agents who have hounds to tree cou- gars in the study area so Fish and Wildlife can immobilize them, take samples of blood and DNA, and get them fit- ted with GPS collars. Location data collected from the collars will be used to calculate home range size and habitat selection. Like research else- where in the state, the study will also use scat detection dogs to help them reach conclusions. The scat provides DNA Courtesy ODFW data used in capture-re- capture models that es- A cougar hides in a tree in the coastal timate population size range. It is legal to harvest a col- and density. The diet analysis provides important lared cougar but ODFW pre- information on what percent fers hunters not shoot a cou- of common prey items (deer, gar with a collar, if possible. elk or small mammal) make Hunters who do must contact ODFW and return the collar up area cougars’ diets. Collaring of cougars begins so the data can be retrieved. The research is funded by this month and will continue until 10 adults are collared, grants from the Wildlife Res- or until April 1, 2019. Once toration Act and donations a cougar is collared, the GPS from Oregon Wildlife Foun- unit will collect location data dation and Oregon Hunters Association. for 17 months. 3 Notice of Pending Type II Administrative Decision November 3, 2017 Michael Summers of Clatsop County has submitted application for a two-lot partition of Tax Lot 810270000211. The subject property is vacant and located north of SE Ensign Lane, west of Highway 105 and east of Costco in Warrenton. The application file is available for public review until November 13, 2017 with an administrative decision to be made after the close of the review and comment period. Applicable Warrenton Municipal Code criteria include Chapter 16.60 General Industrial District, Chapter 16.156 Wetland and Riparian Corridor Development Standards, Section 16.208.040 Type II Administrative Procedures, and Chapter 16.216 Land Division and Lot Line Adjustments. All evidence to be relied upon to make a decision on this application is in the public record and available for review at the Warrenton Building and Planning Department, 225 S. Main. Ave., Warrenton, at no cost. Copies can be made at reasonable cost. Following the close of the com- ment period, the Community Development Director will issue a Type II Administrative Decision which will be mailed to the applicant and all parties who submit written comments or who are otherwise legally entitled to notice. HOW TO PARTICIPATE: All interested persons are invited to submit written comments to Skip Urling, Community Development Director, Warrenton City Hall, PO Box 250, Warrenton, OR 97146 by November 13, 2017. Failure to participate in this administrative review in writing or failure to address relevant issues with sufficient specificity may preclude your right to appeal the administrative decision on this application. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION contact Skip Urling, Warrenton Community Development Director at 503.861.0920 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to noon/1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Notice of Pending Type II Administrative Decision November 3, 2017 Michael Summers of Clatsop County has submitted application for a two-lot partition of Tax Lot 810270000206 with the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office now operating in the proposed partition area. The sub- ject property is located at 1190 SE 19th Street, Warrenton. The application file is available for public review until November 13, 2017 with an administrative decision to be made after the close of the review and comment period. Applicable Warrenton Municipal Code criteria include Chapter 16.60 General Industrial District, Chapter 16.156 Wetland and Riparian Corridor Development Standards, Section 16.208.040 Type II Administrative Procedures, and Chapter 16.216 Land Division and Lot Line Adjustments. All evidence to be relied upon to make a decision on this application is in the public record and available for review at the Warrenton Building and Planning Department, 225 S. Main. Ave., Warrenton, at no cost. Copies can be made at reasonable cost. Following the close of the com- ment period, the Community Development Director will issue a Type II Administrative Decision which will be mailed to the applicant and all parties who submit written comments or who are otherwise legally entitled to notice. HOW TO PARTICIPATE: All interested persons are invited to submit written comments to Skip Urling, Community Development Director, Warrenton City Hall, PO Box 250, Warrenton, OR 97146 by November 13, 2017. Failure to participate in this administrative review in writing or failure to address relevant issues with sufficient specificity may preclude your right to appeal the administrative decision on this application. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION contact Skip Urling, Warrenton Community Development Director at 503.861.0920 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to noon/1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.