The INDEPENDENT, February 18, 2010
Page 15
Still time to apply for free Sports Pacs in drawings from ODFW
A lucky 48 Oregon hunters
won free 2011 Sports Pacs and
two non-residents won a free
annual 2011 hunting license
because they applied early for
their 2010 fall big game con-
trolled hunts.
ODFW and the vendor that
manages its license sales sys-
tem are giving away a total of
100 free 2011 Sports Pacs (for
Oregon residents, a $164.75
Power of the People
By W. Marc Farmer, General Manager,
West Oregon Electric Cooperative
Project Updates
With two major projects on our plates for
2010, we will be kept very busy this year.
Thank goodness we have not had a FEMA
storm event to deal with this winter so we
can focus our time and energy on these two
key projects that are a result of the flood
event. I will keep you updated as they
progress.
The first project is to construct a new substation for Vernonia
out of the flood plain. Since $475,000 of the cost of the project will
be in an earmark grant from the Federal Government, there are
requirements and conditions that must be met before the funds
will be released. The major one is being accomplished now — a
thorough environmental review must be conducted and signed off
by a certified government agency or THUD, (Transportation,
Housing, and Urban Development), which will be funding the ear-
mark. We are working with the City of Vernonia as the govern-
ment agency and the review is being conducted by David Evans
and Associates. We expect the review to be completed by the end
of this month.
Until the review is completed and signed off, we are not al-
lowed to do any actual construction, or purchase anything for the
project. What we are allowed to do and are working on at this
time, is all of the engineering, design, and specs for the project.
Elcon and Associates, our contract engineering firm, is conduct-
ing this phase of the project. We know the specs on the transform-
ers now, and are ready to order as soon as the review is signed.
Construction will begin as soon as possible and we hope for com-
pletion by the end of this fall.
The second project, a new Headquarters facility, has several
things going at the same time. An Environmental Assessment
Phase 1 and Phase 2 are being conducted by GeoEngineers, a
Traffic and Storm Drainage Study is being conducted by David
Evans and Associates, a clear Title for all of the pieces of proper-
ty that will make up the entire site for the facilities is being com-
pleted, a Sales and Purchase Agreement has been finalized, and
the building design has been started. All of these preliminary ac-
tivities will lay the groundwork for the permitting process.
It is our intent to have this all completed in time for construction
to begin in early summer, with completion by the end of this year.
We want to take advantage of the current low construction costs
to keep the total price of the project as low as possible, and we do
not want to run the risk of being here through another winter storm
and flood season.
As soon as the Sales and Purchase Agreement is signed, we
will be able to officially announce the successful bidder for con-
struction of the new Headquarter facilities. I can tell you that we
were successful in finding a local firm to meet our goal of using lo-
cal labor. The construction firm selected will have in their contract
the requirement to use as much local products, goods, and serv-
ices as possible.
Since I will be serving as the Project Manager, I will personally
be able to oversee any and all purchases to make sure this re-
quirement is met. It is our intent to use this project to stimulate the
local economy as much as we possibly can to help our members.
value) or Non-Resident Hunting
Licenses (for non-residents, a
$140.50 value) to encourage
hunters to apply early for their
2010 fall big game hunts. A
Sports Pac includes a Combi-
nation Angling/Hunting/Shell-
fish License, a Combined An-
gling Harvest Tag, a Validation
for Upland Bird and Waterfowl
hunting, plus a General or Con-
trolled Buck Deer, General or
Controlled Elk, General Cou-
gar, General or Controlled Bear
and Spring Turkey Tag.
Fifty more 2011 Sports Pacs
or Non-Resident Hunting Li-
censes will be given away over
two separate drawings. To be
eligible, hunters must:
• Apply for and be issued a
controlled hunt application by
March 15, 2010 for a chance to
win one of 30 Sports Pac or
Non-Resident Hunting Licenses.
• Apply for and be issued a
controlled hunt application by
April 15, 2010 for a chance to
win one of the remaining 20
Sports Pac or Non-Resident
Hunting Licenses.
The next drawings will take
place March 16 and April 19
and winners will be notified by
mail. Hunters unsuccessful in
early drawings are re-entered
into future drawings. Only one
entry per hunter is allowed,
meaning hunters that apply for
several controlled hunts are still
entered only once.
Hunters can apply for con-
trolled hunts online, at a license
sales agent, at ODFW offices
that sell licenses, or by mail or
fax order using the application
found here or on page 15 of the
2010 Oregon Big Game Regu-
lations.
Mail order/fax applicants
should allow 7-10 days for their
applications to be processed
and issued. Remember, to be
eligible for the drawing, the
controlled hunt application
must be issued, not just re-
ceived, by the drawing dead-
lines (March 15 and April 15).
Controlled hunt applications
can be processed and issued
immediately online and at li-
cense sales agents or ODFW
offices.