The INDEPENDENT, February 1, 2007
Page 5
Business Notes
WFCU looks back at 40 years of work, and plans for future growth
When Wauna Federal Credit
Union began on March 16,
1967, it had eight members and
$1600 in assets.
Now, as it approaches its
40th Anniversary, there are
13,833 members, over $102
million in assets, and over $90
million in outstanding loans to
members.
A group of men involved in
the startup of one of the world’s
largest paper mills, located on
the Columbia River at Wauna,
were also involved in starting
Wauna Federal Credit Union.
They wanted a financial institu-
tion where members are own-
ers and earnings are returned
to members in the form of high-
er savings rates, lower loan
rates and improved services,
and they knew that a credit
union would meet that goal.
Wauna Federal Credit Union
plans on steady growth in 2007,
at two percent of total assets.
As the credit union’s financial
health grows, so does the finan-
cial health of its members and
the communities they serve.
“It has been a privilege to
work at Wauna Federal Credit
Union for the past 19 years of
these 40 years and have found
it to be very fulfilling and re-
warding.” said Debi Smiley, Ex-
ecutive Vice President and
Chief Operations Officer.
“I appreciate the opportunity
ODF will review wildland fires in
unprotected, rural interface areas
Increasingly in Oregon,
blazes in wildlands with no fire
protection are spreading onto
protected forestlands. At the
same time, urban sprawl into
forests has elevated the wild-
fire risk and complicated fire-
fighting efforts. These twin con-
cerns have prompted a large-
scale review of the state’s clas-
sification system used to coor-
dinate wildfire protection for
forestlands and rural communi-
ties. A steering committee
formed by the Oregon Depart-
ment of Forestry will hold its
first meeting February 6 in
Salem to examine the 30-year-
old system and recommend
changes to update it.
The 29-member committee
includes representatives of a
broad cross-section of private
and public organizations that
share an interest in protecting
the forest resource and the ex-
panding wildland-urban interface.
At the meeting, Department
of Forestry staff will provide
historical background on the
forestland classification sys-
tem, including the pertinent
state statutes and administra-
tive rules, as well as the depart-
ment’s role in protecting those
lands.
The steering committee will
develop recommendations by
Jan. 1, 2008. The Board of
Forestry will then work on leg-
islative concepts needed to im-
plement the recommendations,
in time for the 2009 Oregon
legislative session.
The current forestland clas-
sification system developed as
need arose locally. As a result,
it lacks overall consistency.
Also, rapid population growth
has gradually transformed
many of the unimproved lands
originally classified as forest
decades ago.
“On one end of the spec-
trum, the rural-forest interface
continues to expand, often into
what had been protected com-
mercial forestland,” said Assis-
tant State Forester Paul Bell.
“On the other end of the spec-
trum, fires on unprotected
lands have become problemat-
ic, threatening and burning
onto protected forestland re-
sulting in large, costly fires and,
not infrequently, Conflagration
Act mobilizations.”
The meeting will convene at
9 a.m. in the Tillamook Room,
Building C, at Oregon Depart-
ment of Forestry headquarters,
2600 State St. It is open to the
public.
Accommodations for people
with disabilities, and special
materials, services or assis-
tance can be arranged by call-
ing the Oregon Department of
Forestry Agency Affairs Office
at least 48 hours before the
meeting - (503) 945-7200, text
telephone (503) 945-7213 (in
Salem). Cordless listening de-
vices will be available to any-
one with impaired hearing.
They may be obtained at the
sign-in table in the Tillamook
Room.
to work for an organization
where the board and manage-
ment are so dedicated to giving
back to the members and com-
munities we serve. I have fond
memories of how we have
been able to assist someone
with purchasing their first car, fi-
nancing a long-awaited vaca-
tion, financing a home that
meets their growing family’s
needs and much more. I look
forward to many more great
memories,” she concluded.
Headquartered in Clatska-
nie, Wauna Federal Credit
Union, has branches in Astoria,
Clatskanie, St Helens, Vernon-
ia and Warrenton. Anyone who
lives, works, attends school or
worships in Clatsop or Colum-
bia County is eligible for mem-
bership. For more information,
call toll free 800-773-3236.