SIX - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, March 22, 2000
Court discusses appeal of ground squirrel listing
By Doris Brosnan
The Morrow County Court, at
their March
15 meeting,
discussed
final
business
pertained to the Washington
Ground Squirrel issue.
Commissioner John Wenholz
said that the decision of whether
or not to appeal or join the Port
of Morrow in an appeal of the
listing of the ground squirrel on
the endangered species list was
the "hardest decision the court
has made" since he's been on the
court. He added that he remains
uncertain about whether the
county was adequately consulted,
though he understood that
Commissioner Dan Brosnan did
have conversations with Oregon
Department of Fish and Wildlife
personnel and did testify at a
public hearing.
Wenholz said he worries about
this listing moving beyond state
owned
lands;
he
hears
contradictory statements; he is
not interested in appealing alone
but perhaps along with the port.
Morrow County Judge Terry
Tallman said that he does not
think ODFW followed their
administrative rules; he does not
feel that they partnered with the
county and that the listing should
have been handled formally
through the court; that only
through Brosnan's personal
initiative was the court involved
at all. He said he believes that it
impacts the county's economic
future and could affect the Port
of
Morrow
and
other
municipalities.
Commissioner Brosnan
described the process through
which, if the port requests a
survey and no ground squirrels
are present, the port will not be
impacted. He reiterated that if
the court requests a survey and
no squirrels are present, the
incidental-take rules will not
apply.
Wenholz said that he
understands that the listing
currently only affects state lands,
but is concerned about other
public-owned lands.
Brosnan said that an appeal will
be determined based on the law,
not whether the listing will
adversely impact the county. He
added his belief that if the
question is whether or not
ODFW did everything they could
have, the answer is "no," but if
the question is whether or not
ODFW did everything they were
legally bound to do, the answer is
"yes."
Brosnan noted that several
discussions of this subject will be
found in the court's own minutes,
demonstrating that the court
knew of ODFW's efforts to list
the ground squirrel, and he cited
an opinion of the State
Legislative Counsel that ODFW
had
complied
with
the
requirem ents
of
the
Administrative Procedures Act.
He added that he feels that the
Port of Morrow may have
grounds for appeal, that he
regretted the consequences to
Inland Land, the port, and others,
but felt that there are no grounds
for appeal by the county.
Bob Krein of the ODFW
offered to answer questions and
pointed out that the reason for no
more consultation than what
occurred was that, by law, the
listing has to be solely on
biological considerations, not
economic, social or other
reasons. He explained that he
recognizes the frustration of the
community and that he shares the
concerns of the community over
the potential of the federal
listing.
Wenholz said he feels that if the
county does not appeal, the
federal government's listing of
the ground squirrel will be all
that much easier.
Tallman said he feels that the
issue will go to a federal listing
whether the county appeals or
not.
Brosnan noted that no one, not
even Inland Land, is questioning
the biology.
Tallman moved that the county
go forward with an appeal.
Wenholz seconded, adding "with
the Port of Morrow." The motion
passed, with Tallman and
Wenholz voting yes and Brosnan
voting no. Brosnan than asked
where the court was going to get
the $15,000, to which Tallman
and Wenholz responded that the
Court will discuss that.
In other business, the court
discussed results of the previous
day's election and effect of the
new rural addressing on the mail-
in voting.
The court heard a request from
Pat Reay of the city of Imgon for
a contract with the county to
continue the road work on
Washington Street into the city
and a contract for some gravel. A
lengthy discussion focused on
county work load and on policy
of non-competitiveness with
private enterprise, with the court
planning to further study the
requests.
Public Works Director Guy
Van Arsdale reported a request to
vacate a portion of Wyoming
Street, which is a public access
road outside the city limits but
inside
the urban
growth
boundary. He presented and the
court approved a permit request
from US West to install line on
Washington Street.
Van Arsdale reported putting
gravel at the fairgrounds where
the hog and sheep sheds had
been; patching a washed out
badger hole on Jumper Canyon
Road; and reported that spring
blading has begun. The court
adopted the five-year road plan.
Morrow County Behavioral
Health Director Gary Oberg
reported that the new extension
agent's office is being housed and
is receiving some secretarial
support in the Boardman office.
Judge Tallman informed him of
possible interest in exam-room
space for the Health Department
in the Boardman annex.
Morrow County Commission
on Children and Families
Director Dar Merrill presented
and the court approved the
Juvenile Crime Prevention Plan
and appointed the Commission
on Children and Families as
administrator.
Merrill
also
explained some related budget
details and the court approved
amended by-laws for the
commission. Also discussed was
the closing of the Boardman
Child Development Center.
The court approved a
resolution to transfer funds
within the Finley Buttes license
fee, the Commission of Children
and Families and enforcement
W edding Tables
Allison Parks & Ryan Rudolf
Wedding: March
,
18 2000
in
project with Umatilla County and
the Confederated Tribes. The
court heard a report illustrating
the work of the histonan who
would be hired, checked with
Currin about funding, and
approved an expenditure of $500
toward the project.
funds.
The court reviewed and
approved plat maps for the
Sunnysidc Park subdivision,
They approved consent to
participate agreements with
Charles and Mary Fasciona and
Diana Garcilazo. The court
approved an amendment to the
Planning Commission by-laws to
reflect the removal of term
limitations. They also approved
two purchase requests from the
computer
department
and
The 2000 Oregon Limousin
approved a credit card for use by Breeders’ "Spring Fling," hosted
the Victim/Witness Assistance by Joan and Duane Moms of DJ
Program of the district attorney's & R Limousin at Sandy and
office.
Karen and Gary Wilde of Wilde
Emergency Management Limousin Ranches at Olex, is
Director Casey Beard reported on scheduled for May 20.
that morning's bomb threat at the
The event will be a full day of
Army depot, and on a ventilation cattle information and activities
problem of over-pressunzation at with an emphasis on the
the Imgon school for which there Limousin breed. It will also be a
is no maintenance agreement. He day of junior activities, with four
also reported on the shipping local counties' 4-H and FFA
status of the last of the 15,000 members invited. A show
tone alert radios and on the judging contest will be held with
responsibility for storage and several classes of cattle to judge.
care.
Also on the agenda will be a
Beard and the court discussed "hands-on" fitting demonstration
the increase in growth indicators, and one-on-one instruction with
the fact that a project officer has a showmanship class finale; a
not yet been hired by FEMA, the nutritional seminar explaining
lack of a distribution coordinator feeding
and
health;
a
to date and FEMA's plan to begin reproductive
seminar
with
distribution of radios in about emphasis
on
AI,
semen
three weeks.
collection and storage and
Beard also showed on a depot embryo transplant; as well as
map the location of the J Block product displays and door prizes.
igloos, where the Army proposes
Fred Rolfe of Rolfe Angus
to store dunnage waste, which Acres at Grass Valley will be the
would require a major permit official
judge
for
the
modification.
An
Army showmanship class and the
spokesperson has said that the judging contests.
Army's plan remains one of
Several pens of cattle will be
finding an alternative to dunnage available to judge, with a prize
incineration or storing the going to class winners.
dunnage. The question of this
All youth, and any adults, are
proposal to alter the permit was invited to bring their project
discussed, and Planning Director animal to work with and show.
Tamra Mabbott told the court
Mike Mehren of Cenex Harvest
that DEQ did not see how the States will be the speaker on
county could be involved in nutrition. His main topic will be
dealing with the stranded waste the feeding and nutritional
issue.
differences for steers versus
Mabbott explained to the DEQ heifers retained for breeding. He
representative the idea of will also be available for any
involving entities for better questions from the audience.
understanding of issues. She
Dr. Don Peter of Frontier
recommended and the .court Genetics at Hermiston will be the
approved making a formal ipeakerbn reproduction'.' Hewill
request to be included,^decision -^'aV ailab li t« dhswet qneitibhs
making or be invited to attend with regards to bovine health and
and observe meetings
reproduction. He says he hopes
County Counsel Bill Hanlon that attendees will bring their
offered that resolution of the questions and problems up for
dunnage issue must be reached to discussion.
prevent further long-term storage
Mike Counsell of J & M
of dangerous waste material.
Further
discussion
noted Limousin at Myrtle Point will be
differing estimates of dunnage the fitting professional.
tons, the question of agent-free Attendees are encouraged to
wa ne and waste that cannot be bring an animal to work with, as
taken off site; whether or not the "hands on" is often the best
Arlington landfill will take waste method to learn fitting, said an
from the depot any longer; the OSU Extension news release. A
contract with Umatilla County; few animals will be available for
and the need to store brines, salts those who cannot bring their own
animal.
and ash.
A showmanship class will be
At Mabbott's request, the court
held
afterwards to show off what
selected two optional dates for a
has
been
learned. This will also
meeting with the State Building
be
a
learning
experience for
Codes Division representative.
green-broke
animals.
Hanlon noted that the court has
The field day activities will be
seemed inconsistent in its interest
held
at Wilde Limousin Ranch
in switching its building permit
located 17 miles south of
program from the state to Arlington, off 1-84. To get to the
contracting it out.
Wilde ranch, take Hwy. 19 south
Mabbott added that making a to Olex and watch for the field
change will create a list of things day signs.
that need doing - including
Hosts will provide "Limi-Chili"
budgeting, adoption of an and pop for lunch. Plates and
ordinance, staff training, proper utensils will be provided.
public
processing
and Attendees are asked to RSVP by
development of a contract, forms May 15.
and policies - but said that where
TTie days' activities will begin
administrative responsibility will around 10 a.m. and the "fitters"
lie has not been made clear to can get started at 9 a.m. The day
her.
will end sometime in the
Carol Michael and Patty afternoon.
Burres, co-chairs of the Lewis
Contact the Morrises at 503-
and
Clark
Bicentennial
668-6254 or the Wildes at 541-
Committee requested financial
support for a joint research 454-2995 to RSVP or to receive
more information.
Limousin
breeders fling
Sheryl Carty & Marc Angeli
shower: March 25, 2000
Wedding: April 8, 2000
Phyllis Brings & David Barrett
wedding: April
,
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*
1 2000
Angela Currin & Nate williams
■
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Leprechauns, Dancers and Singers on call;
-
For volunteers that made the Celebration complete ®
’Tis sure County Morrow can’t be beat!
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S IN C E R E T H A N K S T O O N E & ALL! -
wedding: April 8, 2000
MuMay'i Dfluj
* * * *
’Tis sure we are grateful the weekend is done,
*
Record crowds appeared and had a lot of fun.
*
It took hundreds of bodies to pull it together,
And thousands came in spite of the weather.
*
For Coffee Hour, Ceili, Parade and Races,
Dog Trials, Auction, Music A New Faces;
*
Cooking, Cleaning, Painting, Tours A All,
Claudia Hughes & Cara Os min
A St. Patrick’s Committee
217 North Main • Heppner • 676-9158
Serving Heppner. Lexington A lone
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™
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Golf fund raiser to
benefit Campus Life
A Campus Life golf scramble
will be held Saturday, April 29,
at the Willow Creek Country
Club.
The fund raiser will benefit the
Campus Life of Heppner youth
group.
Tbe cost of the two-person
scramble will be $15 per player.
Play and door prizes will be
awarded and lunch will be
served.
Shotgun start will be at 8 a.m.
To register contact: Sandra Van
Liew, 68987 Willow Creek Rd.,
Heppner, OR 97836, (541) 676-
5050.
55 Alive course
A 55 Alive Class has been
scheduled by the American
Association of Retired Persons
and Blue Mountain Community
College for the Heppner area on
Monday and Tuesday, April 3
and 4, at St. Patrick's Senior
Center.
This classroom refresher course
is designed for drivers 55 years
and older. The class will run
from 9 a.m.-l p.m. each day and
costs $10, payable to AARP.
A minimum enrollment of 10
students is required so pre­
registration is necessary.
To reserve a spot in the class or
for more information, contact
Anne Morter, BMCC coordinator
for South Morrow County, 422-
7040.
OSU students receive scholarships
More than $85,000 in
scholarships have been awarded
during the 1999-2000 academic
year to students continuing their
studies
in
Oregon State
University's
College
of
Agricultural Sciences. The
students are enrolled in programs
n the Corvallis campus and on
the Eastern Oregon University
campus in La Grande.
Scholarship recipients
include: Boardman-Knsti Mason,
daughter of Dean and Joyce
Mason, who received the $ 1,000
Walter J. and Florence J. Jaeger
Undergraduate Scholarship. The
1998 graduate of Riverside High
School is studying animal
sciences.
Tri-County Band Festival
set March 29
On Wednesday March 29, the has been an adjudicator locally
annual Tri-County Band Festival for this festival and solo and
for 3A schools and smaller will ensemble contests; performed
converse at Stanfield High with the Round-Up band for the
past 20 years; and recently
School, this year's host.
In the festival, individual performed and directed with the
schools have the option to play Oregon East Symphony.
The band director at
by themselves in the morning for
Stanfield
is Deborah Wryn of
the adjudicator for comments
lone
who
has
been in the district
only, then all of the students join
for nine years. This is her third
together for the mass band.
All schools have been year in directing the band.
The evening concert will
rehearsing and they will practice
begin
at
6:30 p.m. and the
and then perform that evening at
admission
cost
is $1 per person
6:30 for the concert.
Local schools include to help cover cost of running the
those from the counties of festival. Tri-County Association
Morrow, Umatilla, Gilliam, also hosts the High School Choir
Wheeler, Sherman and Wasco.
Festival and the Jr. High Band
u to '-«■»•' The clinician this year is - Festival.
t
,• ■ ¡ ji >.
Phil Cansler form the University
For more information
of Portland. His name may be call Stanfield High School at
familiar to area residents as he 449-3851.
Karen's Korner
Item s o f H ealth - T o b a c c o P re v e n tio n b y K aren M as s h o ff
Post-St. Patrick's weekend salutations. I hope all had a safe and
sane good time. I quite enjoyed myself speaking with folks during
the tobacco prevention display at St. Patrick's Senior Center and
while eating at the stew feed and at breakfast. I was gratified by
the interest in the various educational materials regarding tobacco.
There were other interesting activities during this week of
March 13. One event was the teleconference held at Pioneer
Memorial Hospital on "Adult and Youth Partnering for Tobacco
Prevention". Six students from Heppner High School came to
learn about the emerging roles of young people as influential
advocates for reducing tobacco use.
Speaking of young people, I received a report of research
by Dr. Joseph R. DiFranza from the University of Massachusetts
Medical school. His findings strongly indicate that teenagers can
become addicted to nicotine more quickly than adults. DiFranza
took smoking histories from students at seven schools three times
a year over a two-year period. Symptoms of addiction were
present before many of the young people were smoking every day,
thus appearing within weeks, not years, as previously believed.
The Nurses' Health Study found that current smokers were
2.4 times more likely to develop aged-related macular
degeneration than were women who had never smoked; even
former smokers were at greater risk of developing the disease.
Also this weekend I toured the museum; very nicely
arranged. Even here I was struck at how tobacco has been so much
a part of out culture. There in the display of some household
goods was a cluster of tobacco products. Can anyone forget those
Prince Albert in a can of jokes? (Bull) Durham tobacco pouches
were great for wiping off greasy windshields before all the fancy
washes.
This weekend did anyone stop by the vendors selling the
tobacco items? I checked them out; I thought their presence here
interesting. I did not see any signs about their not selling to those
under 18 years old, although they told me they were checking
ID(?). Stay tuned, I will have more to say about tobacco industry
tactics in the columns to come.
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