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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (June 20, 2001)
The INDEPENDENT, June 20, 2001 Page 9 WOEC joins NoaNet to improve options for rural communications From page 4 In an effort to explore op tions for expanding telecom munications service to rural ar eas, the West Oregon Electric Cooperative (WOEC) Board of Directors agreed to become a member of Northwest Open Access Network (NoaNet). West Oregon joins 11 other electric cooperatives, phone companies, municipalities and public utility districts in the NoaNet project. NoaNet is a fiber optic net work that parallels the Bon neville Power Administration (BPA) electrical transmission system, creating an economi cal option for rural telecommu nication needs. NoaNet has li censed fibers on the 2000 mile loop that BPA installed to oper ate its electric transmission system in Washington. BPA plans to extend its fiber system to Oregon later this year. The board’s decision is just the first step in the process. “The board identified telecom munications as a strategic is sue in our planning process last year,” said Robert VanNat- ta, WOEC board president. “Our participation in NoaNet will help West Oregon Electric explore ways that we may be able to assist our members in receiving the same conven ience and economic benefits as those enjoyed by their more urban counterparts. “We see our membership in NoaNet as a possible opportu nity to provide a vital service in rural areas that are largely ig nored by the big profit-minded companies, much as we did with electricity nearly sixty years ago,” continued VanNat- ta. “Our commitment to serving our members continues in that same spirit through NoaNet.” In April, WOEC members approved a bylaw change that would allow the board of direc tors to consider other business Senators secure salmon funds U. S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Gordon Smith (R- Ore.) announced $8.9 million in Federal funding for salmon and steelhead recovery efforts in Oregon. The Oregon Water shed Enhancement Board (OWEB) will distribute the funds through grants to citizen action groups for voluntary restoration efforts on private lands. “The efforts of many dedi cated Oregonians are making a difference in the fight for salmon and steelhead recov ery,” Wyden said. “This funding will enable more citizen-driven projects to move forward and preserve some of our state’s most precious natural re sources.” “Our state’s salmon and steelhead recovery efforts are dependent on creative efforts C r een ’ s "V ariety Clothing for the Entire Family Linens • Decor • CDs Books «Toys • Notions and Much More implemented locally and sup ported with funds from the fed eral government,” said Smith. “While this money will help lo cal watershed councils with on- the-ground recovery efforts, we will continue to fight for funding to enable Oregonians to meet the recovery challenges ahead.” Private watershed councils and conservation groups will be able to apply for funding. Salmon restoration projects and activities may include plan ning, monitoring, research, habitat restoration and protec tion. OWEB will evaluate pro posals for their technical, eco logical and biological merits when considering grant appli cations. The $8.9 million award is the second installment from Feder al funding for the Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Fund. Sena tors Smith and Wyden have strongly encouraged Federal support for salmon and steel head recovery efforts in Ore gon. opportunities that would benefit members. Those revisions passed by nearly a 3-1 margin. “This seems like a natural fit for us,” said Russell; Green, WOEC general manager. “We are working with fellow electric cooperatives and the BPA. We West Oregon Electric serves more than 4,000 electric cus tomers in portions of Columbia, Clatsop, Yamhill and Washing ton Counties. Headquartered in Vernonia, the cooperative has provided electric service since 1944. SWCD can help with agricultural water quality plan A new state Agricultural Wa ter Quality Law, went into effect this past year. While the Forest Practices Act has regulated the timber industry for some time, this is the first legislation aimed at controlling agricultural activi ty in Oregon. The regulations, while largely aimed at full time growers, also control the activ ities of smaller, part-time oper ations. The legislation requires rural landowners who have resource issues which may harm water quality, to show that they are taking steps to resolve the problems. There are no defini tive parameters; the law was written in an open-ended man ner so owners and managers could tailor plans best suited to their individual acreage. Landowners with a minimum of five to 20 acres, who have livestock and/or stream corri dor access, may be affected. Contacting the Columbia Soil and Water Conservation Dis trict (SWCD) to assure compli ance with these new state goals. Unlike the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and other regulatory agencies, the Columbia SWCD is a non- regulatory agency that advises landowners on practices and problem resolution with land use issues. By enlisting the District’s as sistance, landowners can demonstrate efforts to resolve any water quality problems as sociated with their land prac tices. The state does not ex pect change overnight; it sim ply wants assurance that landowners understand their responsibilities and are willing to begin addressing problems. Currently, the Columbia SWCD is trying to assess and A rustic picnic table and benches are now nestled by the wa ter just south of the Rock Creek Bridge, behind Shay Park. Though this spot is enticing on a warm summer day, it was developed so people could comfortably watch salmon on their upstream journey during spawning season. Construc tion was done by volunteers with the Upper Nehalem Water shed Council. prioritize Columbia County’s tance with programs such as resource concerns. In April, a the Environmental Quality In survey was mailed to county centives Program (EQIP) and residents, seeking information. Conservation Reserve En In an effort to better serve the hancement Program (CREP). public, the Columbia SWCD is Landowners should consid extending the deadline for sur vey responses until July 30, er joining the local Conserva 2001. Landowners completing tion Service District to deter a survey are eligible to win a mine how to improve water free expandable self-contained quality, waste management for small livestock operations, fish composting unit (a $50 value). and wildlife habitat and other The SWCD, in partnership with USDA Natural Resources resource problems in Columbia Conservation Service (NRCS), County. Contact the SWCD also provides many services at weekdays at 503-397-4555 to no cost to landowners in need obtain a postage paid survey of individual management form and/or program informa plans and cost-share assis- tion. Oregon home loans ready for newly eligible veterans The long-awaited home loan program for post-1976 Oregon veterans previously denied eli gibility by the Oregon Constitu tion is now available. The new program is the result of the passage of Ballot Measure 83 last November. More than one YARIITi IS OUR NAME Open 10- 5 Tues - Sat 831 Bridge, Vernonia 503-429-4333 million Oregonians voted to ex pand eligibility for the home loan program to Oregon veter ans who entered military serv ice after 1976. In announcing the roll-out of the new program, John Mangis, Director of the agency G rab your B oots e S weetheart C ome to S ummer ' s F irst P ance C ountry S trings S aturday , J une GREAT fO O D BEER & WINE know the quality of these part ners is very high, so that gives us a heightened sense of con fidence and a greater opportu nity for success as we consider whether or not to extend the fiber optic network beyond the BPA/NoaNet system." 30 • 9-2 The Lyon’s Den Pub & Eatery — 733 BRIDGE STREET, VERNONIA • 429-0606 said, “We have been working hard over the last six months in order to provide a quality home loan program for veterans who previously were not eligible. If you are a vet and considering a home purchase in the near fu ture, you should talk to us about the many benefits of our program." The fixed interest rate for the initial wave of qualifying homebuyers will be 6.25 per cent. This below-market inter est rate will help many younger veterans with their home-buy ing decisions. In addition to the below-market interest rate of fered, the program’s other ben efits include a 95 percent loan, up to a maximum loan amount of $275,000. Veterans have the option of applying for a home loan through the agency’s Salem headquarters or through any of a statewide network of approved lenders and mort gage brokers. “We offer loans with low down payments and limited closing costs," said Mangis. “But, probably more important, is the fast and friendly service we provide to the veterans. It’s a simple process with minimal paperwork.” For more information, call the Oregon Department of Vet eran’s Affairs toll free at 1-800- 828-8801 or 503-373-2000.
