SIX- Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, July 1, 1992
Corps to release
dam water
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Weekend thunderstorms brought a deluge in some areas that com
pared to being caught by the full force o f a water from a fire hose
opened to capacity. It was a case o f too much, too late, especially
for harvesters. Maybe this erratic weather o f late has created a water
on the brain condition.
Certain errors could be blamed on my typewriter or a copy editor
if it weren’t for the similarity through word association.
In a recent story about the two horsewomen visiting the area, a
sentence expressed their efforts to video tape testimonials promoting
a less-expensive health care insurance plan. Somehow that turned
into video “ tapping ” While I‘m sure there wasn't any line tapping
involved, perhaps it was because w e’re all grateful that water still
runs from a tap.
A while back a story o f mine expounded on ‘’affluent’’ water from
the city sewer system. My explanation is that as the utility costs rise,
only the rich can affort to waste water. And if the proposed plan
to put effluent water on the golf course is carried out, then the af
fluent golf course will be $50,000 to the good, plus city consumers
will help to pay for a sophisticated watering system that will
automatically keep the greens green.
Okay, so my story on seed weevils turned them into sea weevils.
Well, they came from the Mediterranean Sea area, didn’t they? And
though I’ve never been there. 1 understand that there’s enough wet
salty stuff left in that body o f water to create a problem when it’s
topdressed with oil spills.
The concern with water shortages, affects not only my brain but
the forests, the rivers and streams and all o f agriculture. So I ques
tion the wisdom o f brains who think that the best solution to salmon
recovery is to draw down the pools o f Columbia River dams despite
the impact to the Northwest economy.
While urban folks seem to think that all food is produced in a fac
tory, the river system not only affects the food chain, but recrea
tion, transportation and lots o f agribusiness workers.
If preference is given to fish in that instance, then why is the Corps
o f Engineers proposing to draw down the Willow Creek Dam reser
voir to give water to a few farmers? That pool, that is already lower
than normal, is just beginning to attract fishing, boating and other
water recreation users.
As a person with roots in the country, my empathy is with those
W illow Creek farmers who could lose their crops. But how about
all the other area farmers who don’t live along W illow Creek and
have no means o f subsidizing nature?
Ever since 1 can remember. Willow Creek becomes bone dry dur
ing summers before it gets very far past Heppner. It would have taken
some aforethought, but irrigation water from the lake should have
been stored above the level needed to maintain water quality in the
reservoir.
Heppner lived down the reputation o f hav ing a leaky dam that might
wash away and desltoy the town. Due to drought conditions in re
cent years, hardly anyone got excited about a recent testing o f the
flood warning system.
If the lake is lowered by 1,000 feet for irrigation plus the normal
amount o f evaporation perhaps Heppner will create new headlines
for dying fish, stagnant water and the area boasting the most midges.
I doubt that it would add to the scenic attraction o f the proposed
lakeside overnight campground.
But before it’s suggested that I stick to erroneous reporting and
that a bucket brigade manned by reporters be used to carry water
to dying crops, I best get on with my own water problem s-a leaky
washing machine and the flattened flowers that have been carefully
nurtured.
One thousand acre-feet o f
water stored in Willow Creek
Lake outside Heppner will be
released for local irrigators, ac
cording to a U.S. Army Corps o f
Engineers press release.
The requested water would be
used to irrigate 2,668 acres o f
cropland along Willow Creek in
the communities o f lone and Lex
ington. Without this water, crops
valued at $500,000 could be lost
because o f drought conditions in
Morrow County, said the Corps.
The Corps determined that
releasing the water would not
significantly affect the quality o f
the human environment.
The Corps prepared the en
vironmental assessment and a fin
ding o f No Significant Impact,
after eight Willow Creek farmers
applied for 2,128 acre-feet o f
water from the Willow Creek
Lake. The Corps, operators o f
W illow Creek Dam, determined
that 1,000 acre-feet was the most
that could be made available from
the lake.
Emergency drought conditions
are being prepared by the U .S.
Bureau o f Reclamation.
Governor Barbara Roberts
declared Morrow County in a
state o f drought emergency on
May 15.
Removing 1,000 acre-feet o f
water for irrigation could reduce
the pool level by 7.5 feet,
decreasing it to about 2,051 feet
elevation by mid-August and
ultimately down to 2,039.5 eleva
tion during the late fall.
It could also reduce populations
o f large and small mouth bass,
crappie, other panfish and brown
bullheads. “ The reduced popula
tions o f these fish would put them
below fishable levels for several
years,” said the Corps. “ Also,
the entire population o f trout in
the lake could potentially be
eliminated. The Oregon Depart-
mentof Fish and Wildlife stock
rainbow trout in the lake. Fishing
opportunities could be lost for
several years,” they continued.
“ Recreation could be reduced.
The water surface o f 75 acres on
the lake could be as much as 21
acres smaller than normally ex
pected during the late summer.”
Thanks to Teachers Like Joanne Miksis,
The Future Is In Good Hands.
Our future will soon be in the hands of our children,
and US WEST is proud to recognize Joanne Miksis
as a teacher preparing children lor the challenge
Joanne is the recipient ol the 1992 US WEST
Outstanding Teacher Award lor Oregon As a home
Joanne Miksis
Churchill High School
economics teacher at Churchill High School in
Eugene, Joanne developed a teen parenting
education and day care program to enhance
parenting skills and to assist students in com
pleting their education.
The US WEST Foundation created the Outstanding
Teacher program to enhance the teaching profession
This year 14 teachers from the US WEST region were
selected to receive $15,000 over a two-year period
to pursue an educational project or professional
development It's just one- of the many investments
US WEST is making as part of our Frxindation's
Sheriffs Report
The Sheriff s office at the cour
thouse in Heppner reports dispat
ching the following business dur
ing the past week:
June 23: Morrow County depu
ty responded to the Irrigon area
to in vestig a te a report o f
telephone harassment. Investiga
tion is continuing;
M orrow C ounty deputy
responded to a theft in Irrigon. In
vestigation is continuing.
June 24: Morrow County
Sheriff s office dispatched the
Boardman ambulance for a
female in Boardman. Female was
transported to the Boardman
Clinic;
Morrow County Sheriff s of
fice dispatched the Arlington Fire
Dept, to a grass fire on 1-84,
milepost 128-129;
Morrow County S h eriffs of
fice dispatched the Condon Fire
Dept, to a grass fire north o f the
City Farm;
Morrow County deputy ar
rested Leanna M. Fennemore,
29, Portland on a Multnomah
County Warrant for Probation
Violation, Driving Under the In
fluence o f Intoxicants. Fen
nemore posted bail and was
released with a court date. She
was also arrested for Hunting in
a Prohibited Area (to wit Road
way). She was cited and releas
ed with an appearance date;
Morrow County Sheriff s of
fice dispatched the Arlington Fire
Dept to a grass fire on Blalock
Road;
M orrow C ounty deputy
responded to the lone area to con
tact a citizen regarding a juvenile
driving problem;
Morrow County deputy ar
rested Robert Brehm, 21, Irrigon
on a Benton County, Kennewick,
WA. warrant for Theft II. Sub
ject was transported and lodged.
June 25: Morrow County depu
ty responded to the Nugget Motel
for a suspicious person report.
Deputy was unable to locate
anyone upon arrival;
M orrow C ounty deputy
responded to the Irrigon area for
a report o f animal cruelty. In
vestigation is continuing;
M orrow C ounty deputy
responded to the Irrigon area for
a neighborhood dispute;
M orrow C ounty deputy
responded to 3rd. St., Irrigon, for
a report o f animal abuse;
Morrow County Sheriff s of
fice dispatched the Boardman am
bulance to 308 Columbia, Board-
man. One patient was transported
to Good Shepherd Hospital;
Morrow County S heriff s o f
fice dispatched the Spray Fire
Dept, to a grass fire on 2nd St.,
Spray. Fire was contained;
M orrow C ounty deputy
responded to West Extension Ir
rigation in Irrigon for a report o f
windows damaged at a pump sta
tion. Investigation is continuing;
Morrow County S h eriffs of
fice dispatched the Boardman am
bulance to a semi-truck rollover
near the TACX plant in Board-
man. One male was transported
to Good Shepherd Hospital by a
U m a tilla am b u lan ce, with
unknown injuries. Boardman am
bulance was unable to respond.
M orrow
C ounty
d ep u ties
responded for traffic control
June 26: Morrow County
Sheriff s office dispatched the
Boardman Fire Dept, to a vehi
cle on fire on 1-84. milepost 161.
There were no injuries, fire was
contained;
Morrow County Sheriff s of
fice dispatched the Heppner am
bulance to 535 Elder St., Hepp
ner, for an 80 year old female
with stomach pains. Female was
transported to Pioneer Memorial
Hospital;
Morrow County deputy receiv
ed a report o f possible animal
neglect on 8th St., Irrigon. Call
was unfounded;
Morrow County Sheriff s o f
fice dispatched the Boardman
Fire Dept, to a grass fire on the
railroad tracks on 1-84, mile post
159. Fire was contained.
June 27: Morrow County
S h eriffs office dispatched the
Boardman Fire Dept, to a hay fire
near Wilson Road/Laurel Lane,
Boardman. Fire was contained;
Morrow County S heriff s of
fice dispatched the Boardman am
bulance to a two vehicle accident
on 1-84 milepost 168 eastbound.
Unable to locate;
Morrow County S heriff s o f
fice dispatched the Heppner Fire
Dept to a grass fire on the top o f
Heppner Hill;
M orrow C ounty deputy
responded to Olson Road for a
report o f a deceased male. Homer
Prichard, 68, Boardman, died o f
natural causes;
M orrow C ounty deputy
responded to the Irrigon area for
a report o f harassment. Investiga
tions are continuing;
M orrow C ounty deputy
responded to the Irrigon area for
a civil matter;
Morrow County S heriff s of
fice dispatched the lone Fire
Dept, to a lightning caused fire
at Cecil;
Morrow County S h eriffs of
fice dispatched the lone Fire Dept
to a fire caused by lightning at
Morgan;
Morrow County S h eriffs of
fice dispatched the Condon EMTs
to the clinic for a male with
injuries;
Morrow County S h eriffs of
fice dispatched the lone Fire Dept
to a fire caused by lightning at
Cecil;
Morrow County S heriff s of
fice dispatched the Condon Fire
Dept to a lightning caused fire on
the Gilliam County side o f the
John Day River;
Morrow County S heriff s of
fice dispatched the Boardman
Fire Dept to a field fire near the
Ready Mix on Columbia;
Morrow County S heriff s o f
fice dispatched the Arlington Fire
Dept to a grass fire in Scotch Ca
nyon S. Hwy 19;
Morrow County S heriff s of
fice advised the Army Depot o f
a field fire on the Army Depot.
June 28: Morrow County depu
ty took a report o f vandalism
from the Lexington area;
M orrow C ounty deputy
responded to take a report o f theft
from Phil Ralston, Umatilla.
Taken w ere tw o fire e x
tinguishers from a boat at the Ir
rigon Marina valued at $15 each;
M orrow C ounty deputy
responded to the Boardman area
for a family disturbance;
M orrow C ounty deputy
responded to the Irrigon area for
a report o f harassment;
Morrow County S h eriffs of
fice dispatched the Condon Fire
Dept to a field fire at Sam Seale’s
ranch;
Morrow County Sheriff s of
fice dispatched the lone Fire Dept
to a grass fire near the George
M iller ranch on Emmigrant
Road. Fire was contained;
M orrow C ounty d ep uties
responded to Lexington for a
report o f flash flooding. Ex
cessive rain on Black Horse Ca
nyon caused minor flooding,
deputies discovered one bridge
out and some road washouts. No
injuries were reported. Some
local businesses experienced
flooding, road crews were call
ed out to block o ff Black Horse
Canyon road and Bell Canyon;
Morrow County S heriff s o f
fice dispatched the S. Gilliam
County Fire Dept to a grass fire
south o f C ondon toward
Lonerock. Fire was contained.
June 29: Morrow County
Sheriff s office marine deputies
responded by boat to a report o f
a beached boat on an island near
Irrigon. Boat was found intact
and towed into the Irrigon
Marina;
Morrow County S heriff s of
fice dispatched the Boardman am
bulance to 1-84, mile post 151,
n
Educational Initiative
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Ssshhhhhhh!!!
D A N N Y *B
At U S WEST, we believe teachers who reach beyond
classroom walls today will make a world of difference
WILSON’S*
(or future generations
going to be
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the US WI ST fu m d .* m i 7«i«• 1 jM O rth.ird Kn.nl Inylennni) COUnlll ¿ i
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IIMMEST
Making the most of your time
I'wzuswrsr
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*
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east bound for a female having
convulsions along the side o f the
road. She was gone upon arrival;
M orrow C ounty deputy
responded to a residence in Ir
rigon on 9th St. for a report o f
a female being threatened;
M orrow C ounty deputy
responded to Morrow County
Grain Growers, Lexington, for a
report o f a burglary. Approx
imately 20 large truck tires were
taken, estimated value $6,000.
Investigation is continuing;
M orrow C ounty deputy
responded to the Irrigon Trailer
Court, Irrigon, for a report o f a
possible theft o f a refrigerator.
Call was unfounded;
Morrow County Sheriff s of
fice dispatched the Arlington am
bulance to 125 Shane Dr., Arl
ington, for a report o f a male with
chest pains. Transport was made
to Mid C olum bia M edical
Center, The Dalles;
Morrow County S heriff s o f
fice dispatched the lone Fire Dept
to a grass fire on Arcada St.,
Lexington;
Morrow County deputy receiv
ed a report o f a missing motor
cycle from the Miller residence
in lone. Value was undertermin-
ed, investigation is continuing.
P U B L IC N O TIC E
Notice o f Election
Council Members
Town o f Lexington
Official terms expiring for the
Town o f Lexington are two
C ouncil positions and City
Recorder. All three are for four
year terms. Nominating petitions
are available at City Hall or by
contacting Sue Baker for the elec
tion to be held November 3,
1992. The petitions must be fil
ed with the City Recorder no later
than August 25, 1992 and contain
signatures o f qualified electors
only.
Sue Baker
Town o f Lexington
Published: June 24; July 1, 8 and
15, 1992_____________________
P U B L IC N O TIC E
The Council for the City o f
Heppner, Oregon will conduct
public hearings at 7:00 PM on Ju
ly 13, 1992 at Heppner City Hall.
188 West W illow Street regar
ding violations o f City Ordinance
No. 474, an Ordinance Abating
Nuisance for Accumulation o f
Solid Waste and Fire Hazards.
The following properties are in
violation o f the ordinance because
o f deposits o f solid wastes scat
tered about the premises that
create a fire hazard and harborage
for rodents and insects and is in
jurious to the health, safety and
general welfare o f the people.
1. 220 West W illow Street,
Map #2S 26 35BB. Tax Lot
#6900.
2. 595 Jones Street. Map #2S
26 27D D , Tax Lot #1900.
Published: July 1, 1992
P U B L IC N O TIC E
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
IONE RURAL FIRE DISTRICT
6-604
P.O. BOX B
IONE, OREGON 97843
The lone Rural Fire District
6-604 invites bids for the con
struction o f a metal building to
house the equipment for the
District in lone, Oregon.
The work will consist o f
grading, concrete floor and slab,
a metal building, interior parti
tions, electrical, mechanical and
plumbing work. The District in
tends to hire one general contrac
tor to complete and/or coordinate
subcontractors for the completion
o f all work.
Sealed bids for the above
described project will be receiv
ed by the District Board until 8:00
P.M. PDT on July 13, 1992 and
then publicly opened and read
aloud. Each bid must be submit
ted on the prescribed form. The
bids can be mailed to:
lone Rural Fire District 6-604
P.O. Box B
lone, OR 97843
or hand delivered to the old
Reitmann Hardware store on
Main Street by the prescribed
time.
It is recommended that in
terested contractors visit the site
prior to the bid date. Call Bill
Reitmann at 422-72% . The Con
tract Documents can be obtained
by contacting Mr. Reitmann or
David H. Krumbein at 276-3244.
Bids must contain a statement
that the provisions o f ORS
279.350 are to be complied with.
Published: July I. 1992