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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 21, 2008)
The INDEPENDENT, February 21, 2008 Business Notes SWCD seeking funds to stabilize streambanks in local watersheds Landowners in Columbia and Clatsop Counties who face potential damage to their homes or other structures due to streambank destabilization and sediment- and debris- choked streams resulting from the December floods still have an opportunity to apply for emergency assistance. Until February 29, the Co- lumbia County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will evaluate sites impacted by recent severe weather to pre- determine eligibility for funding requested through the Emer- gency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program. “It is critical that we are ready to act if the funds are se- cured,” said Scott Gall of the Columbia SWCD. The EWP program is author- ized by Congress to stabilize damaged watersheds in order to protect lives and property in the aftermath of natural disas- ters and natural occurrences. All work is undertaken with a government sponsor, such as the Columbia SWCD, and must be determined to be economi- cally and environmentally de- fensible. The Columbia SWCD has requested EWP funds of ap- proximately $900,000 in finan- cial assistance through the US Department of Agriculture. The Columbia SWCD is one of more than 20 project spon- sors nationwide with current re- quests to the federal govern- ment for EWP funding. A vari- ety of factors, including the availability of funds and severi- ty of damage in various parts of the country, affect whether EWP dollars will be directed to the local area. “We cannot say for certain that we will receive the fund- ing,” said Gall, “but if we do, we need to be prepared, knowing where and how to proceed so that we help as many local peo- ple as possible.” Individuals interested in get- ting their names on the list should contact the Columbia SWCD at 503-397-4555 before February 29. Flood insurance information provided From page 4 One greatly appreciated ex- planation, however, was that the new map cannot be used to rate properties until it has been through the adoption process. Until that happens (in August, at the earliest, and more likely some time next year), the 1988 map applies. That explanation reduced my annual premium by more than $1000, making it an affordable $249. Another element used in set- ting the premium rate is the year your home was built. If your home, like mine, was built before the 1988 map was used to set flood insurance rates (pre-FIRM), your premium should reflect that with a low “grandfathered” rate, even if you are in the high flood risk “A” zone. This doesn’t mean the rate will never increase. As with any area of insurance, the premium rate increases as cost of cover- age increases. Flood insurance rates for homes built after the 1988 map (post-FIRM) will reflect the haz- ard level shown on the map. As Please see page 14 Flood claims deadline extended From page 1 • Copies of contractors’ esti- mates to repair the damage; and/or • Other documentation de- tailing rebuilding expenses. Once the insurance compa- ny or flood insurance program receives the additional docu- mentation, an adjuster will meet with the homeowner and/or contractor to identify the issues and negotiate an appro- priate settlement. Homeowners should keep a copy of the Proof of Loss—and copies of all supporting docu- ments—for their records. To stay covered for the future, they must renew their policy each year. Most policyholders living in areas where the flood risk has increased can renew at the same lower rate, based on their previous flood zone. Page 5 ODOT program designed for small contractors The Oregon Department of Transportation has launched a statewide program aimed at in- creasing contracting opportuni- ties for small businesses in Oregon. ODOT’s Small Con- tracting Program for Construc- tion will make it possible for small construction companies across Oregon to do business with the agency as prime con- tractors. ODOT designed its new pro- gram to help contractors in two ways. By identifying small proj- ects, or dividing larger projects into contracts valued at $100,000 or less, the agency is making more work available to small contractors. And by pre- qualifying companies, ODOT can help small businesses compete more effectively by is- suing notification to those com- panies when projects are open for bid. “Through the Small Con- tracting Program, ODOT is supporting Oregon’s economy by building sustainability for small businesses,” said Matt Garrett, ODOT director. “Addi- tionally, it creates an opportuni- ty for ODOT to tap into the ex- perience and expertise of Ore- gon’s small companies as we work to build a stronger trans- portation system.” Contractors may pre-qualify by completing the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process. They will then be included in the selection pool for future program contract bid opportuni- ties. The RFQ is now available at the Oregon Procurement Infor- mation Network Web site at Unemployment rate Columbia County’s season- ally adjusted unemployment rate was essentially un- changed at 6.1 percent in De- cember from the previous month (5.9%) and from one year before (5.8%). The rate was a little above the statewide rate (5.6%) and higher than the national rate (5.0%). Total em- ployment fell by 116 to 23,176 and the number of unemployed people increased by 27 to 1,457. Total employment this December was 474 more than one year before and there were 72 more people unem- ployed this year. http://orpin.oregon.gov and on the ODOT Procurement Office – Construction Web site at www.oregon.gov/ODOT/CS/C ONSTRUCTION/. It consists of a short, three- part form that requests basic in- formation, such as a construc- tion company’s location, em- ployees and experience. Pre-qualification is not a guarantee of work, but it does ensure that a company is eligi- ble to participate in the pro- gram, depending on its capabil- ities, location and the type of work available. ODOT will award contracts based on low bid. Depending on the number of construction contractors pre- qualified for a given type of work, the agency may give preference to a company that has never worked as a prime contractor with the agency be- fore. The new program builds on the Small Contracting Program for Professional and Technical Services, which launched statewide in September 2007 following a one-year pilot pro- gram in the Portland metropoli- tan area. For more information, visit ODOT’s Office of Civil Rights Small Business Support Web site at www.oregon.gov/ODOT /CS/CIVILRIGHTS/small_busi- ness.shtml.
