The INDEPENDENT, September 2, 2010
ODFW asks archers for deer teeth
ODFW biologists are asking
black-tailed deer bowhunters to
send the department a tooth
from the animals they harvest.
ODFW staff uses the teeth to
determine the age of the ani-
mals, which is used in popula-
tion modeling efforts.
Accurate population estima-
tion is a key goal of the Black-
tailed Deer Management Plan
adopted in 2008 by the Oregon
Fish and Wildlife Commission
to strategically manage black-
tailed deer populations consis-
tent with available habitat and
other land uses.
“These teeth are critically
important to us. Black-tailed
deer are not easy to count.
They often move in the dark, in
dense cover,” said Don Whit-
taker, ODFW Ungulate Species
Coordinator. “The more infor-
mation we have about the age
of the deer in the population,
the better decisions we can
make about hunting seasons
and the health of the species.”
Last year, bowhunters har-
vested almost 2,000 black-
tailed deer.
“To get an accurate popula-
tion estimate, we really need to
get teeth from all of this year’s
animals,” said Whittaker.
The age of deer can be ac-
curately determined by analyz-
ing tooth roots. Removing and
returning a tooth to ODFW is
relatively easy and in no way
harms the taxidermy mount.
Postage-paid envelopes and
instructions are available at li-
cense sales agents or ODFW
offices.
In six or seven months,
hunters will receive a postcard
showing the age of their deer.
The Columbian black-tailed
deer is one of two sub-species
of mule deer in Oregon. The
species is found from the Pacif-
ic Ocean coastline east to the
forested portions along the
east side of the crest of the
Cascades. The Black-Tailed
Deer Management Plan is
available on ODFW’s website,
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wild
life/management_plans/black_t
ailed_deer.asp .
Page 15
Power of the People
By W. Marc Farmer, General Manager,
West Oregon Electric Cooperative
66th Annual Meeting
Completed
We held our 66th annu-
al Membership Meeting on
Saturday, August 21, at the
Scout Cabin in Vernonia. It
was a cool day for our
beach theme, but everything worked out just
fine.
The meeting was attended by a little over 70
people including members, staff, and several
dignitaries and guests also present. The BBQ
provided by Terrel’s Texas Bar-b-que was excel-
lent as always and all of the good food was a hit.
There were enough door prizes that everyone
left with at least one prize.
The meeting itself included several reports
and election results. Robert VanNatta and Bob
Paleck were both re-elected to serve on the
Board of Directors. Board President VanNatta
gave a state of the union report which included
projects that we have completed the past year
such as the Timber/Elsie Transmission Line proj-
ect, and projects we are getting ready to build.
He briefly talked about the new substation and
headquarters facilities projects that will both be
built out of the flood plain. VanNatta also pointed
out that we went through the year without anoth-
er FEMA event and are financially sound.
Steve Scott then gave a more detailed report
on the Timber/Elsie Transmission Project and
the new Vernonia Substation projects. He was
followed by David Western who presented the fi-
nancial report for 2009 and how we are doing for
2010 to date. I then gave a report on the new
Headquarters Facilities Project, the fact that
though we had no FEMA event this winter we are
still recovering financially from the over $4 mil-
lion the three events cost to recover from. Even
though FEMA reimbursed 75% of the qualifying
expenses, the remaining costs to the Co-op
were over $1 million in cash. That was a huge hit
to a small utility like ours.
I also reported on the future effects on whole-
sale power rates due to the fourth worst water
year in the 50 year recorded history of BPA.
Though we had a lot of rain, there was little snow
pack in the mountains that provide water to the
Bonneville Dam. This caused a significant drop
in revenues for BPA, which seriously reduced
their reserves. This reduction will subsequently
be made up in higher wholesale power rates in
the fall of 2011. We won’t know the exact amount
until the rate case process is completed.
The final aspect of my report was the volun-
tary wage freeze for one year by all of the
salaried and union staff of WOEC. It was a unan-
imous vote by all of the employees. We will be
donating at least half of the cost savings for en-
ergy assistance for our members who are strug-
gling with their bills due to the trying economy.
The Board will match up to $6,000 to help out
our members. Care to Share and Oregon Heat
will be the recipients of the funds.
We appreciate all those who came out to the
meeting and all those who took time to vote in
the election for the Board. It is after all, your elec-
tric cooperative and it belongs to all of us.
Save Time and Money
Shop Local
S UPPORT
THE ADVERTISERS WHO KEEP
YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
FREE
Meyers
‘ Auto Body,Inc
503-429-0248
493 Bridge St, Vernonia, OR