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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2004)
Page 14 The INDEPENDENT, July 1, 2004 Ike Says … From page 2 1917 navigability declaration because people no longer moved logs down streams. In 1973, the Oregon Legislature (Agriculture Committee) quietly repealed the Montana Access Law. In 1984, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that just because the purpose of a navigability declaration is no longer need- ed, that does not mean the stream is no longer navigable. For many people, the defini- tion of a river being navigable conjures up images of stern- wheelers or large log rafts, but that is not so. Federal and U.S. Supreme court rulings have de- fined much broader interpreta- tions. All findings come back to the tenet that the river was, or could have been, used for com- merce at the time of statehood. Did or could have native Amer- icans used the river to catch fish or travel by canoe? Did or could have a fur trapper used the stream to move his catch? Did or could have a survey team floated the river to deter- mined its feasibility for log drives? In almost all instances the answer is “yes” on Oregon streams. The courts have ruled that fishing and recreational boating is a form of commerce. So the issue of whether most of Ore- gon’s streams are navigable, or not, is really not in question. The issue is whether Oregon’s legislators will get off their rear- ends and do the right thing, or will Oregonians have to go to the ballot box to correct this in- justice. This problem needs to be resolved, not only for the le- gal owners (the citizens of Ore- gon), but also for all the proper- ty owners who may be paying taxes on land that may not be theirs. A new group, CORR (Coali- tion for Oregon River Rights), has been formed and is spear- heading the effort to get the use of Oregon streams resolved. CORR’s fundamental principal is to reestablish Oregonians’ rights to “float, anchor, walk and wade to the high water mark” on all Oregon streams that would be deemed naviga- ble under current law. CORR does not feel it is necessary that navigability is determined and thus title to the rivers may stay as they are. CORR is pre- See page 16 DALE WOODWORKING N I A .CO NT U O M M Service Directory C ABINET D ESIGN & M ANUFACTURING S INCE 1976 J OEL T EMPLIN CCB #43965 503-429-5436 V ERNONIA , O R 97064 FALL CREEK WOODWORKING P OPPINO P AINTING FREE ESTIMATES Licensed • Bonded • Insured • CCB No. 90548 503-429-7101 DENNIS ELECTRIC, INC. INSTALLED & REFINISHED “Have Tools Will Travel” Cory Colburn 11561 Keasey Road, Vernonia, OR 97064 • CCB #79876 1-800-439-8930 OUTSIDE PORTLAND METRO AREA D ANA L EE E NTERPRISES , I NC . Reliable Commercial and Residential Service Serving the Greater Portland Area Dennis Electric is a family owned & operated electrical contracting company. Our goal is to provide quality electrical service while delivering fair value to our customers. C ABINETS • C OUNTERTOPS • D OORS W OOD F LOORS RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL 503-429-9045 Cell 680-5484 • Fax 429-8059 16819 Timber Rd., Vernonia, OR 97064 • CCB# 123466 C OMPLETE T T IRE C ARE B C OLONEN New & Used • Electronic Balancing • Shocks Exhaust Repair • Oil & Lube • Auto Parts True Value Hardware • 834 Bridge St. • Vernonia Phone / Fax: (503) 429-6364 Do you offer a Service people need? Licensed & Bonded • CCB No. 19808 Dennis & Schann Nelson • P.O. Box 412 • Vernonia, OR 97064 WINDOWS & DOORS POLE BUILDINGS ROOFING FENCING SIDING DECKS TILE CCB #85280 Office (503) 429-7009 • Cell (503) 369-2048 New Construction and Remodeling Additions, Kitchens, Bathrooms, Ceramic Tile, Finish Carpentry & More! 503-429-8930 503-429-4351 RAIG SPECIALIZING IN REMODEL & REPAIR UTILITY SHEDS GARAGES CAR PORTS ADDITIONS DRYROT DRYWALL VINYL FREE ESTIMATES WOOD FLOORS Y Tony Johnson Construction Jim Morrison Jr. General Contractor (503) 429-0154 Licensed • Bonded • Insured CCB# 112057 PBM Inc. PRECISION BUILDING MAINTENANCE, INC. www.PBMaintenance.com Overhead/Garage Door Repair • Welding • Heating/Air Conditioning 503.429.1042 OR 503.708.6809 LICENSED, BONDED, INSURED CCB# 144926 Meyer's Auto Body GARY MEYER NORTHWEST EXCAVATING SERVICES Owner Phone: 503-429-0248 493 Bridge Street Vernonia, OR 97064 Be here when they need you! Advertise in The INDEPENDENT OR LIC. 106893 DEQ 37308 • SEPTIC INSTALLATIONS • DITCHES • SITE PREPARATION • LAND CLEARING & LEVELING • DRIVEWAYS • DRAIN FIELDS LICENSED • BONDED • INSURED DICK TITUS – 503-429-1492 57230 Timber Road, Vernonia, OR 97064 Service Directory Call 503-429-9410 for information.
