Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (June 22, 2005)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, June 22,2005 - FIVE BLM publishes final grazing regs study The Bureau o f Land M anagem ent recen tly announced the availability o f a final environmental impact study that con clu d es upcoming grazing regulation changes will produce long term benefits for public rangelands An official notice of the study’s availability was published in the Federal Register on June 17. “ T h i s e n v ir o n m e n ta l- im p a c t analysis u n d e rsc o re s grazing’s role as a vital use of public lands in the rural W est,” Rebecca W atson, assistant secretary o f the In te rio r for Land and M inerals, said “ The re v isio n s will im prove B L M ’s m anagem ent o f public-lands ranching, an activ ity th a t not only supports rural economies but also preserves open space and wildlife habitat in the rapidly growing West.” The final environmental-impact study, posted on BLM’s national Web site ( www.blm gov/ grazing), analyzes the impact o f the upcoming grazing- re g u la tio n rev isio n s, including their ecological, cu ltu ra l, social, and econom ic effects. M ore sp ecifically , the study examines the impact o f a grazing-management option drat tra c k s w ith the provisions o f the upcoming grazing-regulation changes, as well as the effects o f two o th e r m anagem ent alternatives. BLM D irecto r Kathleen Clarke said, “This environmental-impact study show s th at grazing management under the new regulations will produce long-term rangeland-health ben efits T hese b en efits include increased vegetation along stream banks, which will reduce soil erosion and provide more habitats for w ildlife.” Under the new regulations, she noted, the BLM’s grazing-management decisions will be based on b etter inform ation about rangeland conditions. Clarke added, “Our agency feels strongly that the public lands should be managed in partnership with those closest to the land, and th a t’s why we sought extensive public input on this regulatory initiative.” The BLM received more than 18,000 comments on a draft impact study and a proposed set o f regulations, which preceded the agency’s work on the final version o f those documents. The new grazin g regulations, to be published next month in the Federal R egister, are aim ed at improving BLM’s working relationships with public- lands ranchers The revisions also reflect the agency’s commitment to managing the public lands for multiple uses, including g razing, while ensuring the health and productivity o f these lands. The revisions will retain key elements o f the “ R angeland R efo rm ” initiative that revised grazing regulations nearly a decade ago S pecifically, the regulations will continue the role o f B LM ’s R esource A dvisory C o u n cils, composed o f citizens across the West who advise and make recommendations to the agency on public-land issues. The revised regulations will also leave intact tine rangeland-health standards and guidelines developed by the RACs In gen eral, th e fo rth co m in g reg u latio n s seek to: • im prove the a g e n c y ’s w o rk in g relatio n sh ip s w ith th o se h olding BLM g razin g permits and leases; • advance the bureau’s efforts in assessing and protecting rangelands; and • ad d ress c ertain legal issues while enhancing administrative efficiency In addition, the new regulations will continue to require the bureau to consult with the interested public on key m atters, such as d ev elo p in g or changing g ra z in g -a c tiv ity plans; plan n in g ra n g e lan d - improvement programs; and developing reports that are used as the basis for BLM decisions affecting grazing permits or leases The BLM manages m ore land, 261 m illion surface acres, than any other federal agency. Most o f this public land is located in 12 w estern states, including Alaska. The bureau, with a budget o f about T 1,$ billion, also administers 700 million acres o f sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation The agency’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity o f the public lands for the use and enjoyment o f present and future generations. The BLM accomplishes this by managing such activities as o u td o o r recreatio n , livestock grazing, mineral developm ent, and energy p ro d u c tio n , and by c o n serv in g n atu ral, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands Marriage Licenses BE A DECISION MAKER In neighborhoods where "For Sale” signs outnumber buyers, it's tempting to mull over a purchase o f a home be fore you commit. Yet, even in a buyers' market, hesitancy could be a serious error. It doesn't take long to learn that if you drag your feet, you can miss out on the right house at the right price. Even in a slug gish market, experienced buy ers can spot a bargain in a heartbeat. While the "I want to sleep on it" prospects are still evaluating the situation, these shrewd individuals are signing contracts for the best Past Real Estate columns and property listings are available at wnnv.heppner. net/heritage homes. There may be dozens o f homes for sale in any neigh borhood. However, you can be sure that there are a few ex ceptionally well-kept or well- priced homes that will be taken quickly. Fear o f making the wrong decision is one of the factors that often stops people from making the right decision. They are afraid that a better buy is just around the comer. The best buy s go to the deci sion makers - not the tire kick ers. 180 W Baltimore #5 Heppner, OR 97836 REALTOR 03 541-676-9228 The fo llo w in g m arriag e licenses were issued at the M o rro w C ounty C le rk ’s Office during the past week: June 14: R obert Dean Krogh, 30, Hermiston, and Teri Lynn Stanger, 24, Irrigon; June 17: Chad Erin Robie, 32, Heppner, and Kari Anne Morgan, 31, Heppner; June 17: Bobby Gene Harris, Jr., 38, Irrigon, and Senie Larie Walls, 31, Irrigon; June 17: S teven D aniel Hoffert, 42, Hermiston, and Amy Lyn Jew e tt, 30, Hermiston CUSTO M BANNERS Heppner Gazette-Times Caledonian Games planned July 9-10 F o r a fu n -filled weekend, everyone is invited to Athena for the Caledonian Games July 9 and 10 The opening event will be the ceilidh dinner in the park on Friday night. The ceilidh (kay-lee) is a catered/benefit d in n er fo r C aled o n ian Games A Scottish menu will in clu d e G u in n ess beef, mashed potatoes and all the trimmings and short bread fo r d e sse rt p rep ared by M u rp h y ’s C orner R e sta u ra n t/v e n d o r from Spokane for $10 each. The dinner will be followed by a concert in the park by Red McWilliams, a Scottish Entertainer Red is well-known throughout the Pacific Northwest as he has p erform ed at num erous Games and festivals The concert is $ 10 per Red is a b a rito n e sin g er and a MacMillan Those planning to attend should “bring a chair and settle in for some fun,” said a spokesperson The concert is outdoors in the park and starts at about 7:30 PM Friday, July 8 A proclamation has been signed by O regon G o v ern o r K ulongow ski proclaiming the weekend to be Caledonian Weekend in Oregon (The proclamation may be read on w ebsite wwwathenacaledoniangames org ) Caledonian Games is focusing on trees for its 2005 celebration T-shirts are available for purchase that have a Tree o f Life design created by Milton Freewater artist, Jean Mitchell Her tree also appears on the com m em orative lapel pin and on the C aledonian program cover (Caledonian items may be purchased at the souvenir booth.) Trees w ere revered in ancient Scottish societies as a link between heaven and earth T rees also m arked the seasons. To honor trees, the city park, Caledonian Games and the founders, an aspen tree is planted and dedicated by the Caledonian Games Association beside the cairn The cairn was dedicated in 2002. Anyone coming to Athena Caledonian Games may place a stone at the cairn in memory o f whoever they wish It is dedicated to the fo u n d ers o f A thena and th o se w ho created the Caledonian Games in 1899. Saturday, July 9 the festival continues featuring piping, dancing, clan tents, sheep dog trials, a parade, 5K and 10K run, vendors, Scottish athletic games that feature feats o f strength), a horseshoe tournament, food, Celtic harp, fiddling and a story or two under the shade o f a great tree Many events START COLLEGE! are open w ith no p re registration required Those attending may run in the 5K or 10 K run, or join into the Scottish caber toss, sheaf to ss or rolling pin to ss “Come early and stay late”, says Sue Friese, Athena, chairman o f the games The Saturday ou td o o r concert called a Tattoo (a military review, in the S co ttish sense) will featu re Five pipe bands, which may be a record for Athena! Athena’s own Tiger S co ts pipe band will perform The Boise (Idaho) H ighlanders and D esert Thistle Pipe and Drum from the Tri-Cities will return Newcomers to Caledonian Tattoo are River City Pipe Band and Oregon Trail Pipe Band, both from Portland 1-84 overpass repairs begin “Ttey’re Irish but we don’t c a re ,” said Friese. The Tattoo, the only event that has an admission asked, at $5 per person, will be at 6:30 p m in the high school grandstands Sunday a fte r community church service in the park, coffee hour will be held in the park sh elter house The Weston McEwen Pipe band perform s at 1 p m Red McWilliams will perform as well as a new group to Caledonian Games coming from Spokane, The C ro o k ed Kilt The C aled o n ian G am es w as started in 1899 by Scots who lived here and created the Umatilla County Caledonian Society. The G am es discontinued during w ar years. The G am es w ere restored in 1976 as part o f the American Bi-Centennial Celebration. Eliminate Interstate 84 will be limited to one lane in each Puncturevine Another cool spring d ire c tio n for bridge has delayed the emergence construction at the Encina o f Puncturevice, Tribulus interchange (milepost 313) and A lder C reek Road terrestris L. or Goathead overpass (m ilepost 315) P u n ctu rev in e is not a southeast o f B aker City noxious weed, according to starting Monday, June 20. M orrow C ounty W eed The lane c lo su res will O rdinance, but it is co n tin u e th ro u g h mid- obnoxious. Seedlings are up and spreading “like a bad August weed” . Some already have Single lanes will be flow ers that will become in operation in the work seedheads in one to two zones 24 hours a day, seven days a week while repairs are • weeks. Now is the time to being co m p leted this get out your shovel or back summer, except for legal pack sprayer and eliminate h o lid ay s and holiday these invaders just waiting to w eekends Speeds in the unleash their wrath of pain work zone will be reduced and misery on you or your to 55 miles per hour Traffic pet If you’ve ever stepped delays are expected to be on a goathead that was tracked in on your carpet, minimal R em em ber that you know what I mean D iligence and traffic fines double in work persistence are the name of zones Please slow down and this game When digging pay attention to the orange construction traffic signs goathead plants, take care Watch for roadside workers not to shake any seeds loose and construction equipment and dispose o f the plant in H a m i l t o n the trash or burn barrel You Construction Company is should go back to the area repairing three overpasses in a couple o f weeks to along Interstate 84 southeast check for new sprouts and o f Baker City. Work on the especially after a rain Each P ritch ard C reek bridge goathead burr separates into (milepost 325) begins in late five separate segments, each July All work is expected to segment has tw o to four seeds inside and can typically be completed by October remain viable for 3-7 years, The work is part of patiently waiting for just the the Oregon Department of right conditions to sprout Transportation’s 10-year, $3 billion O reg o n lone Library Transportation Investment Act (O T IA ) program reading program During the next decade, kick-off set OTIA funds will repair or The lo n e L ibrary replace hundreds of bridges, summer reading program pave and maintain city and kick-off dress-up party has county roads, improve and been planned for Monday, expand interchanges, add June 27, beginning at 2:30 new capacity to O regon’s pm highway system, and remove Kids are invited to freig h t b o ttle n e ck s com e dressed as th e ir statewide About 18 family- favorite book characters. wage jobs are sustained for The party will also every $1 million spent on feature snacks, games and a transportation construction story time in Oregon Each year during For m ore the O TIA program , inform ation, co n tac t construction projects will librarian Kristy C row ell, sustain about 5,000 family- 422-7564 wage jobs Register Now for Fall Term Classes Featuring P R I M E RIB Every Friday • Financial Aid • Placement Testing • Academic Advising Fact: Students Who Plan Now - Succeed Later C H E C K O U T O U R SP ECIA LS ON SATURDAY! i D p cn i5 a .m .- 9 p .m . T h u r s d a y - S a t u r d a y BMCC Pendleton 278-5759 BMCC Hermiston 567-1800 BMCC Morrow County 422-7040 www.bluecc.edu 6 a .m .- 2 p .m . S u n d a y J O H N 'S PLACE MAIN STREET. HEPPNER
