Call To Artists For The Seventh Annual International Juried Exhibition Hosted By Clatsop Community College

Clatsop Community College announces the 2013 International Juried Exhibition Au Naturel: The Nude in the 21^st Century and invites entries.

The Au Naturel competition is open to all artists working in any two dimensional drawing, painting, and printmaking media with a focus on the nude human figure as subject matter in any form from representational to abstract, and in which the handmade mark is employed as the primary means of image-making. Entrants must be 18 years or older, and student work created under instruction is ineligible. Submitted artwork must have been executed in the last three years and available for the duration of the exhibit. Due to the special focus of this exhibit, photography is not eligible. Any artwork reproduced by photomechanical processes (including giclée prints) will not be accepted. Visit www.aunaturelart.com  to view artwork of previous Au Naturel exhibitions and for further information about the exhibit. There is a $35 fee for the submission of three images, and $5 for each additional image submitted beyond the third.

State Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease in Oregon Announced

Plan to address the needs of all Oregonians impacted by Alzheimer’s, seven town hall meetings to follow in August

A plan to address the needs of Oregonians impacted by Alzheimer’s disease was announced today by a broad coalition of partners who came to consensus on first steps to take on the growing impact of this devastating disease. The plan is the first for Oregon, and represents a groundbreaking effort between the private sector, government, and non-profit organizations to help the hundreds of thousands of Oregonians directly affected by Alzheimer’s – whether as caregivers or by living with the disease. Over 165,000 Oregonians are providing unpaid care for people living with Alzheimer’s. There are now about 76,000 Oregonians living with the disease – about the same number as the population of Bend – and this number is expected to increase to over 110,000 by 2025. This new plan lays out strategies for dealing with issues ranging from the stigma associated with Alzheimer’s to the need for improved education of doctors about the disease and available resources.

SPIKES STRIPS HELP PREVENT STOLEN CAR FROM ELUDING POLICE NORTH OF NEWPORT

Spikes strips deployed by Oregon State Police helped prevent a stolen car from eluding officers after it was spotted north of Newport on Highway 101 Friday night. A Lincoln City woman was arrested without further incident after she was stopped.

On July 27, 2012 at approximately 7:32 p.m. OSP Sergeant Cari Boyd and Senior Trooper Bryan Fitch were patrolling near Cape Foulweather when they overheard a dispatch of a reported stolen vehicle followed by an off-duty Newport police officer northbound on Highway 101 from Newport. Three minutes later the stolen vehicle, a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, was spotted by OSP and spike strips deployed by Fitch at Spencer Creek Bridge near milepost 134 to prevent the driver from attempting to elude during heavy summer traffic conditions.

The spike strips deflated two tires and the driver pulled over and stopped without fleeing. Officers from Newport police and Lincoln County Sheriff's Office arrived about a minute later and helped OSP arrested the driver, KRISTINA R. ESCALDERON, age 23, from Lincoln City. She was lodged in the Lincoln County Jail for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Theft First Degree.

The car was reported stolen earlier in the day from the Lincoln City area.

Heritage Square in Astoria - Vaulted Sidewalk Replacement Project

Bergeman Construction, contractor for the City of Astoria Heritage Square Vaulted Sidewalk Replacement Project, will begin work in early August. The project is expected to last about six weeks.

The project will require that the north portion of the west parking area adjacent to City Hall be partially closed to facilitate construction equipment and operations adjacent to the back side of the existing sidewalk. The construction will also require that the street parking on 11^th Street (from corner 130 feet south) and Duane Street (from corner 150 feet east) adjacent to the project, be closed during construction. You can view a map of the project boundaries on the City of Astoria website.

For additional details contact The City of Astoria Public Works Engineering Division at 503-338-5173.

City seeks applicants for Ilwaco Planning Commission

The City of Ilwaco is accepting resumes and letters of interest for Position #4 on the Ilwaco Planning Commission. The appointee will serve until the term ends on the second Monday of January 2017.

“The Ilwaco Planning Commission advises the mayor and council on planning and zoning matters, such as subdivisions, conditional uses, variances, and dedications and vacation of streets and alleys,” said Mayor Mike Cassinelli.

The Planning Commission consists of five members appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the City Council. The members are selected without respect to political affiliations, and they serve without compensation. The terms of office are six years.

The Planning Commission meets regularly on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 6:00 p.m., at the Ilwaco Community Building.

Resumes and letters of interest are requested by Friday, August 17, 2012, 5:00 p.m.

For further information, contact City of Ilwaco at 360-642.3145, or visit www.ilwaco-wa.gov

Clatsop County Board of Commissioners Highlights Wednesday, July 25, 2012 regular meeting

Shoreline visual assessment discussed

The board heard a presentation from representatives of the state Department of Land Conservation and Development on the draft Visual Assessment Tool for the state’s Territorial Sea Plan amendment.

DLCD’s Paul Klarin said the tool is designed to inventory, evaluate and score shoreline viewpoints along the Oregon Coast for the purpose of assessing the potential visual impact of wave energy and other in-ocean renewable energy facilities. The inventory will measure each site’s scenic quality by scoring landforms, vegetation, development and other features.

The visual impact assessment will be one tool, along with assessments of ecologically sensitive sites, fishing grounds and recreation areas, which will be used to determine which areas of the coast are the least and most appropriate for energy projects, Klarin said.

State, Extension agreement approved

The board, acting as governing body of the 4-H and Extension Service Special District, approved a new intergovernmental agreement between the district and the Oregon State Board of Higher Education.

The new agreement was drafted following a statewide reorganization of the Extension Service to a regional-based model. The agreement provides clearer descriptions of the authority and responsibility of each entity, and commits the county and Extension Service to a one-year feasibility study on placing the staff of  the local Extension Service office, who are currently county employees, under the employment of the district.

Forest Council letter approved

The board agreed to send a letter to the Council of Forest Trust Lands Counties requesting that the panel provide the county with adequate notice of council votes on important issues. The letter is in response to a July 10 vote by the council to join two lawsuits over environmental practices on Oregon State Forest lands. The council, which represents 15 Oregon counties containing state forest lands including Clatsop County, took the vote before the county board of commissioners was informed

Commissioner Patricia Roberts, who represents Clatsop County on the five-person council, voted in favor of joining the two lawsuits.

Astoria's Deputy Fire Chief resigned Wednesday

Interim Fire Chief Pete Curzon announced Wednesday afternoon that Deputy Fire Chief Steve Straily had resigned. An internal investigation conducted by Deputy Police Chief Brad Johnson was directed by the Chief of Police Curzon, who also is acting as the Interim Fire Chief. Curzon directed the investigation with City Manager Paul Benoit’s concurrence because of rumors that Straily falsely claimed qualifications he did not possess, and due to other matters also the subject of the current inquiry. The investigation involves other matters which Chief Curzon declined to describe at this time.
The investigation, which is not complete and which does not include an interview of Straily, established clearly in Chief Curzon’s opinion that Straily made false claims two years ago in his application to become Astoria’s Deputy Fire Chief. Johnston’s investigative audit of training records at the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, the licensing agency for public safety professionals, revealed that Straily forged a signature on a certificate of training and falsified other training information falsely claiming qualifications he did not possess. The investigation addresses other matters which Straily denied in a meeting that led to his voluntary resignation.
Curzon announced in meetings with the members of the Astoria Fire Department the appointment of three Astoria firefighters to acting positions. Curzon said he is confident in the professionalism of the career fire officers, firefighters and volunteers serving in the City Fire Department and that public safety services will in no way be diminished by Straily’s actions. .
Chief Curzon stated that the information discovered during Johnston’s investigation was extremely disappointing to everyone both professionally and personally. Curzon stated however that nothing can diminish the seriousness of official misconduct in public service, especially at the command and leadership level where trust, integrity and competency are critical. Straily’s decision was in the best interest of the fire service, the Astoria Fire Department and himself, Curzon said.
No further information will be released at this time.

Public asked to help shape 2013 sport halibut seasons

Anglers will have an opportunity to weigh in on how the 2013 Pacific halibut recreational seasons are structured at three meetings hosted by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“If you’re a halibut angler, we encourage you to come join in on the discussion of the 2013 Pacific halibut seasons,” said Lynn Mattes, halibut project leader for ODFW. “We plan on talking about the sport fishery structure – what days will be open and season timing – for the three sub-areas off Oregon (Columbia River, Central Coast and South of Humbug Mountain).”

The meetings will be:

• 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 31, at the Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel, 8235 NE Airport Way, Portland, in Garden A Room;
• 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6, at the North Bend Public Library, 1800 Sherman Ave., North Bend;
• 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7, at the Holiday Inn Express, 135 SE 32nd St., Newport.

For those who cannot attend in person, the meeting presentation can be found at: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/finfish/halibut/docs/management/13_presentation_csp_aug2012.pdf  If you have questions or want to provide comments without attending the meeting, please contact Lynn Mattes at 541-867-4741 ext. 237or by email: lynn.mattes@state.or.us or Patrick Mirick at 541-867-4741 ext. 223 or by email: patrick.p.mirick@state.or.us by Aug. 8. The fax number is 541-867-0311.

ODFW to deploy drone aircraft to monitor birds at Haystack Rock on Oregon coast

High winds, rocky terrain, salt water and seabirds can make flying on the Oregon Coast challenging, even dangerous under the best of circumstances. For a team of researchers from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University these conditions represent the ideal laboratory for testing unmanned or “drone” aircraft.

Drone aircraft being developed at Embry-Riddle will be deployed from Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area July 26-27 in an attempt to photograph double-crested cormorants nesting on Haystock Rock near Pacific City.

Double-crested cormorants are large seabirds that inhabit Oregon’s estuaries during the spring and summer. Cormorants, which can eat up to two pounds of fish per day, have been identified by sportsmen’s groups and others as a potential threat to the outbound migration of salmon and steelhead. ODFW is monitoring the cormorants at Haystack Rock as part of a broader population study to find out what impact the birds may have on migratory fish.  Cormorants are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, so extra care must be used to ensure the birds are not unduly disturbed.

“Our hope is that with unmanned aircraft we will be able to do a better job of monitoring the cormorant colonies,” said Lindsay Adrean, ODFW’s avian predation coordinator. Currently, the department relies on aerial photos generated once a year by manned flights along the entire Oregon coast contracted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “It would be nice to be able to get this kind of information week-to-week and we think UAVs may give us that capability.”

UAVS are not only less expensive to buy and operate, but they are safer as well because they do not require onboard crew.

“We potentially see numerous applications for this technology,” said Adrean, including waterfowl, elk and fishing surveys.

The project on the Oregon coast will be the first of its kind for UAV research at Embry-Riddle, according to Patrick Currier, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, who will be traveling with four students and two drone aircraft from the university’s Daytona Beach, Florida campus to Cape Kiwanda.

Currier said the primary UAV is made of Expanded Polypropylene (EPP), weighs about six pounds, has a wingspan of 54 inches, is powered by a small electric motor, and is equipped with an autonomous control system. It is based on a radio-controlled aircraft known as the Ritewing Zephyr II.

“We’ve never used the UAV to fly over water with the kinds of wind shear and rock you have on the Oregon coast,” said Currier. “Our goal is to prove the feasibility of the project so we can further develop a system that doesn’t take a whole crew of engineers to use it.”

The aircraft will be launched from the beach with a catapult made of PVC and will fly autonomously along flight paths plotted ahead of time with GPS coordinates in the restricted airspace around Haystack Rock. The flights will be monitored on a laptop computer, with a radio-control pilot standing by to take over the aircraft is something goes wrong. The craft is equipped with an Android smartphone that will take photographs at preset intervals and save the images with their respective GPS coordinates. The students have named the craft “Androne,” playing on the words “Android” phone and “drone” aircraft.

Currier estimates the cost of the aircraft is between $500 and $1,000.

“That’s why we’re doing it with the smartphone, so people who need it can actually afford it,” he said. It remains to be seen whether the smartphone will produce usable pictures.

Currier said he will consider the project a success if his team can get the plane into the air, make a couple of flights around Haystack Rock, and get back to the beach with photos that Adrean can use to count cormorants.

“Drones have been getting a lot of bad press, lately, and we’d like to help change that,” Currier said. “We want to prove these drones are very useful in applications beyond the military and law enforcement.”

EARLY MORNING FIRES IN ASTORIA, Monday July 23

A fire that started on the back porch of a residence in Astoria escalated into a full structure fire at about 8’clock this morning.  Deputy Fire Chief Steve Straily described what Astoria firefighters found when they arrived on the scene:

Straily.wav (:45)  “We found a two-story house with a fire already into the attic and the back side of the house was completely involved in fire.  Firefighters quickly made advancement into the house, had trouble accessing the fire from the inside because it had not come down into the house yet.  Second engine firefighters responded up on the roof and were able to cut holes in the roof and gain access to the fire.  The roof eventually did cave in from the fire involvement in the attic.  All the residents in the house, and all but one pet, they had numerous pets, so they rescued about seven or eight but one pet did not make it, but there were no residents that were living there that were hurt.  Everybody got out safely. “

Straily said the occupants were fortunate to escape without injury as it appeared no smoke detectors were functioning in the house.  

About 34 firefighters responded to the blaze.  The Red Cross is assisting the victims with temporary housing. The dollar value of the damage is estimated at 100 thousand dollars for the house and contents.

Straily added another fire completely destroyed a house on Lewis and Clark road at about midnight this morning. Those occupants were able to safely escape the blaze due to working smoke detectors in the home. (:44)

.  

Tillamook County Residents can now Register their Cell Phones for Emergency 911 Notifications

 

Tillamook County Emergency Communications District (Tillamook 9-1-1) has recently contracted with Inspiron Logistics for their Wireless Emergency Notification System (WENS) to deliver Tillamook 9-1-1’s emergency notifications.

The emergency notification system will be used when Tillamook 9-1-1 needs to deliver emergency information to targeted groups of Tillamook County residents.

Tillamook 9-1-1 currently uses this system to contact and deploy emergency responders in Tillamook County to include the Tillamook County Search and Rescue Team.

Tillamook 9-1-1 currently purchases the phone database for traditional land lines located within Tillamook County. Due to emerging technologies many households within Tillamook County do not have traditional land lines and are using Voice Over IP and cellular services. With this new system residents will be able to register their cellular and Voice Over IP phones so Tillamook 9-1-1 is able to deliver emergency notifications to more of our residents.

Residents are able to choose to receive any notification through text messages instead of the traditional voice message that was used in the past.

Residents who receive the voice messages will notice a change. As of February of this year the voice messages will use an automated voice instead of the recorded voice you may have heard in the past.

With the automated voice, we are able to get messages out much faster that we could in the past.

To register your non-traditional phone, go to www.tillamook911.com and select the link for 911 Alerts. If you have question, feel free to call Tillamook 9-1-1 at (503) 842-3446

To add your cell phone to the 911 Alerts System click the link below:

http://entry.inspironlogistics.com/tillamook_911/wens.cfm

 

CLATSOP COUNTY OFFICIALS SIGN LOAN AGREEMENT FOR WAUNA TAX SETTLEMENT

Clatsop County officials on Thursday signed documents for a loan covering a settlement payment in the Georgia-Pacific tax appeal case.

The loan, from Bank of America, will cover a $2.5 million payment from the county and 60 other taxing districts to the owner of the Wauna pulp and paper mill.

The payment was agreed to under a settlement reached last May between Clatsop County and Georgia-Pacific over the company’s appeal of a tax penalty and tax assessments on part of the facility.

The county was able to secure an interest rate on the loan of 2.18 percent – below the 3 percent originally envisioned. Annual payments on the 10-year loan will total $283,251.30 and will be covered by all taxing districts in the county – the funds will be deducted from the districts’ yearly property tax disbursements, under the terms of an intergovernmental agreement that was signed by all the districts in 2009 in anticipation of a refund payment.

The case dates to 2004, when Georgia-Pacific was granted tax exemptions under the Lower Columbia Maritime Enterprise Zone for construction of its new No. 6 paper-making machine. Under the exemption, property taxes assessed on the new machine were to be waived for five years.

In 2007 the company was disqualified from the exemption program for failing to maintain a minimum required number of employees at the mill site. As a result of the disqualification, the company had to repay the exempted taxes, totaling approximately $4.1 million. That money was distributed among the 60 taxing districts.

Georgia-Pacific filed an appeal in Oregon Tax Court challenging not only the exemption penalty but also the assessed valuation of the entire mill for three tax years. The appeal claimed that the assessment, on which Wauna’s annual property tax bill is calculated, overvalued the mill by approximately $154 million.

Along with the payment, the settlement establishes the real market value for the mill at $291 million. Georgia-Pacific cannot challenge that assessment for five years.

Under Georgia-Pacific’s claim, Clatsop County and the other districts could have been required to refund more than $11 million if the company had prevailed on all appeals at trial.

State statute mandates that all of the 60 taxing districts in Clatsop County are liable for a portion of the settlement, regardless of whether Wauna Mill lies within their boundaries.

Wauna pays a total of $3,410,536 a year in property taxes to taxing entities in Clatsop County, making it by far the county’s biggest single taxpayer.

Astoria street striping on Wednesday, July 25

Street centerline striping within the City limits has been scheduled to begin at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday July 25, 2012. Short traffic delays may occur due to wet paint. 

If you have any questions contact Steve Ruggles, Engineering Technician at 503-338-5173.

OLNG opponents hear presentation in Astoria .

At a standing-room-only meeting last week in Astoria , on Tuesday evening about 75 people heard a presentation about  Oregon LNG's plan to liquefy and export natural gas in Warrenton. 

According to Dan Serres, Conservation Director of Columbia Riverkeeper, and Ted Gleichman, Chair, LNG Committee of the Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club, Oregon LNG plans to pipe in natural gas from Canada and the US, liquefy and store it in Warrenton, load it on LNG tankers, then ship it overseas where it would be regasified and piped to utilities and consumers.

Project opponent and Astoria resident Laurie Caplan attended the presentation.  One of her concerns is the danger to a populated area in the event of a gas leak and explosion.

Caplan.wav  “There are real impacts for Warrenton.  Because of the way LNG is formulated, its not odorized, and its invisible, but it tends to stay low to the ground because its cold.  When there’s a leak, anything can set it off; a lit cigarette, or a spark from a boat engine.  Those condos are right within that hazard zone in Warrenton, but when you take it out to the, I think you have to go out two miles, maybe thee miles, then its also hitting a bunch of the Uniontown area and Smith Point of Astoria.”  (:40)

Oregon LNG's revised pipeline route goes through Clatsop and Columbia Counties before crossing into Cowlitz County, WA.   136 miles of new pipeline would run the length of Washington up to the Canadian border.

Opponents to the export of natural gas, say in likely overseas markets such as Korea, China, and Japan -  current natural gas prices are up to five times the price US customers pay.  Domestic natural gas providers and their customers would end up paying the global price for natural gas, in spite of a plentiful domestic supply.  

Debt Claim Help for Small Businesses in Oregon

All UCC filings in Oregon can now be done online

The Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division is the central filing office for financing statements and other documents provided under the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). The purpose of the UCC program is to create a public notice of records of debt, to establish priority of claim for the secured party in the event of a bankruptcy by the debtor.

Online UCC filing is available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, which is important in a service where the first to file may lend a significant business advantage. Filing is immediate as compared to the 2-3 day processing time of a traditional paper filing.

“Making it easier to file UCC’s will benefit small business,” said Secretary of State Kate Brown. “Most UCC’s are filed to secure a loan made to a small business to reduce the risk for creditors. With lower risk small business can access credit more easily. This is just another example of how we are using technology to connect our customers with better services making life and doing business in Oregon easier.”

The availability of UCC records reduces the risk of creditors by establishing a security interest incurred by a debtor, so that priority of claim may be proved in case of bankruptcy or default; and by providing information on financing statements and liens to interested parties.

For more information on e-filing please visit: https://secure.sos.state.or.us/ucc/efiling/new

New tools ease public reporting of access, ADA accommodation matters in Washington

WSDOT adds toll-free telephone, email for statewide contacts

OLYMPIA – For people with disabilities and others who need information about accommodation and access to the state-owned transportation system, contacting the Washington State Department of Transportation just got easier.

A toll-free telephone number, 1-855-362-4ADA (4232), and email, wsdotada@wsdot.wa.gov, will assist people with questions, comments or concerns about the Americans with Disabilities Act and access to Washington state highways, ferries and other WSDOT facilities, services and programs.

This toll-free phone line to WSDOT’s Diversity/ADA Affairs office now provides a single point of contact for people with accommodation requests or comments about services. The phone line is staffed 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Outside normal business hours, callers may leave a message.

Email messages can be sent at any time to wsdotada@wsdot.wa.gov, and people who are deaf or hard of hearing can contact WSDOT through the Washington State Relay by dialing 711.

WSDOT encourages people to provide their contact information, so that staff can follow up with information about updates, changes and remedies, as appropriate. Comments may also be left anonymously.

People who contact WSDOT’s Diversity/ADA Affairs by telephone or email can expect an initial confirmation response within three business days. Within 15 calendar days of receiving a complaint, WSDOT staff will contact the individual to discuss details of the complaint, explain WSDOT’s position and options for resolution.

Comments or questions about transportation facilities and services that are outside of WSDOT’s jurisdiction will be referred to the municipality or organization that has control of the facility or service.

OREGON ARTS COMMISSION NEW CAREER OPPORTUNITY GRANT AND ARTIST FELLOWSHIP FY13 CYCLE BEGINS

The Oregon Arts Commission will offer two funding programs for Oregon artists in Fiscal Year 2013: Career Opportunity Grants and Artist Fellowships.

Career Opportunity Grants offer up to $1,500 and enable artists of all disciplines to take advantage of unique opportunities to advance their careers. Grants can fund opportunities such as exhibits in national and international venues, or participation in conferences or workshops to expand artists' knowledge base.

Through a partnership with The Ford Family Foundation, additional support is available to visual artists. Reviewed in combination with the Career Opportunity Grant requests, these additional grants, range from $1,500 to $7,500, and aid mid-career Oregon visual artists in the creation, production or exhibition of their work.

There are three on-line deadlines for applications:               

August 15, 2012

December 17, 2012

April 15, 2013

Applications are accepted only online: http://www.oregonartscommission.org/support_for_the_arts/grants/grant_inds.php

 

Artist Fellowships are $3,000 awards that recognize the achievements of Oregon artists and the contributions they make to the cultural health of the state. These are highly competitive grants awarded to a select group of the state's most innovative creators.

Past Career Opportunity Grant recipients include Avery Thatcher, a young graphic designer, who used her grant to attend a national trade fair, which gave her custom wallpaper exposure to a large market.

Latin musician Jessie Marquez leveraged her grant to pay for marketing materials, including a music video. She is now booking performances regionally, expanding her reach outside of her hometown Eugene.

Past Artist Fellows include such renowned Oregon visual artists as Nan Curtis, Anna Fidler, Mike Bray and Ryan Pierce.

Shannon Planchon, Assistant Director of OAC and Accessibility Coordinator for the arts grants said she is "thrilled that the Oregon Arts Commission is able to continue its support for Oregon's individual artists. We have seen the impact that these funds can make on a career."

The FY13 program is open to artists involved in performing and literary arts. In FY14 visual artists, craftspeople and designers may apply.

Fellowship applications are due on October 15, 2012 and must be submitted online.  The application form is available now.  The guidelines may be reviewed now at: http://www.oregonartscommission.org/support_for_the_arts/grants/grant_inds.php

To learn more about the work of prior fellows or career opportunity grantees, visit the Creative Oregon section of the Commission's website: http://www.oregonartscommission.org/creative_oregon/stories/ . 

REVISED TSUNAMI INUNDATION MAPS SHOW NEW TSUNAMI WAVE HEIGHTS FOR NORTHERN TILLAMOOK COUNTY AND COOS BAY AREA

Portland, Oregon: The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) has reissued tsunami inundation maps (TIMs) for northern Tillamook County and the Coos Bay area that incorporate corrected estimated tsunami wave height graphs.

TIM-Till-02, Tsunami Inundation Maps for Manzanita - Nehalem, 2012, scale 1:10,000.

TIM-Till-03, Tsunami Inundation Maps for Nehalem East, 2012, scale 1:10,000.

TIM-Till-04, Tsunami Inundation Maps for Rockaway Beach, 2012, scale 1:10,000.

TIM-Till-05, Tsunami Inundation Maps for Garibaldi - Bay City, 2012, scale 1:10,000.

TIM-Till-06, Tsunami Inundation Maps for Tillamook North, 2012, scale 1:12,000.

TIM-Till-07, Tsunami Inundation Maps for Tillamook South, 2012, scale 1:12,000.

TIM-Till-08, Tsunami Inundation Maps for Cape Meares, 2012, scale 1:10,000.

TIM-Till-09, Tsunami Inundation Maps for Netarts - Oceanside, 2012, scale 1:10,000.

TIM-Coos-05, Tsunami Inundation Maps for Coos Bay - North Bend, scale 1:12,000.

Example tsunami wave height graphs:

 

Graphs for the Manzanita-Nehalem area showing projected tsunami wave heights over time for [left] local source (Cascadia Subduction Zone) and [right] distant source (Alaska) modeled tsunami scenarios. Note that Cascadia Subduction Zone tsunami waves can arrive within 15 minutes and last more than 8 hours. Distant source tsunami waves will take much longer to arrive but can still be very large and dangerous.

Each TIM publication contains two plates showing a wealth of information including inundation extents, projected tsunami wave height time series charts, and a measurement of the exposure each community has to various tsunami scenarios.

 

Portions of DOGAMI TIM-Till-02 maps, showing inundation of Manzanita-Nehalem-Wheeler area.

Plate 1 displays five scenarios, labeled as "T-shirt sizes" (S, M, L, XL, and XXL), of the impact of Cascadia Subduction Zone tsunamis that reflect the full range of what was experienced in the past and will be encountered in the future.  The geologic record shows that the amount of time that has passed since the last great Cascadia earthquake (312 years since January 26, 1700) is not a reliable indicator of the size of the next one, so the size ranges are intended to fully bracket what might happen next.

Plate 2 shows tsunami inundation scenarios for two distant-source tsunamis that were modeled and originate in Alaska. These distant tsunamis are not nearly as dangerous as the local ones, as Oregonians will have several hours instead of only minutes to evacuate and the tsunamis themselves are much smaller. For these reasons DOGAMI's focus is on the big Cascadia events. If the ground shakes for an extended period of time, don't wait for more warning, evacuate to high ground as fast as possible.

To learn more about these publications, visit:

http://www.oregongeology.org/pubs/tim/p-TIM-overview.htm

FORESTRY BOARD TO MEET 7-26 IN TILLAMOOK, TOUR STATE FOREST 7-27

The Oregon Board of Forestry will discuss future management approaches for state-owned forests, hear a wildfire season forecast, and review a concept for a new Coast Range recreation corridor when it meets in Tillamook on July 26. The board will tour the Tillamook State Forest on July 27.  

Among State Forest-related items on the July 26 agenda, Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) staff will recommend that the board more clearly label areas designated for conservation purposes under current forest management plans.

This conservation-area visibility item is part of the board's ongoing improvement of its management plans. The board and staff will also review recommendations and continuing work on other aspects of State Forest management, including:

- The long-term financial viability of the State Forest management program, which is funded primarily through a share of timber sale revenues.

- A pathway for exploring alternatives to current management strategies. An approach under consideration would allocate certain areas primarily for timber production, and others for management with a conservation emphasis.

- Improvements to the performance measures the board uses to gauge success in managing the forests to provide a broad range of values to Oregonians.

The management discussions involve the 615,000 acres of Northwest Oregon forest that are state-owned, about 2.5 percent of Oregon's forest landbase. The Tillamook and Clatsop state forests are the most prominent of these lands.

Wildfire season update

Staff from ODF's Fire Protection program will provide a status update and outlook on the 2012 wildfire season and ongoing interagency coordination. ODF works closely with forest landowners and with public agencies to provide fire protection on about 16 million acres of private and public forests, about half of Oregon's forested lands.

Riparian protection rule analysis

Private Forests Program staff will present the results of rule analysis work regarding stream protection standards on small- and medium-sized fish-bearing streams. The board will be asked to make findings as to whether an appropriate range of initial alternatives is being considered, including non-regulatory approaches.

"Rails and Trails" project update

The board will receive an update on a cooperative effort to determine the feasibility of developing a recreation corridor along a historic rail line in the northern Coast Range's Salmonberry River canyon. The corridor could potentially extend from Banks to Tillamook. A steering committee, with representatives of local and state organizations and government agencies, views the project as a way to contribute to local economic revitalization through increased tourism.

Public comment

The meeting is open to the public. During a general comment period at the beginning, public comment will be received on forestry-related items that are not included in the agenda. Time will also be provided for comment on specific agenda items as the board takes them up.

Meeting time and location

The board meeting will begin at 8 a.m. at the Oregon Department of Forestry Tillamook District office, 5005 Third St., in Tillamook.

Community social

The board will host a social gathering from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. July 26 at Koko's Restaurant at Alderbrook Golf Course, 7300 Alderbrook Road, in Tillamook.

Tour time and location

The board field tour of the Tillamook State Forest will begin at 8 a.m. on July 27 with a briefing at the Tillamook District office. The tour will return to the office around 4:30 p.m. Members of the public wishing to join the tour are asked to provide their own lunch and transportation.

To learn more

More information on the Board of Forestry can be found at: www.oregonforestry.gov. Background information on the July 26 meeting, including staff reports, is available through the 2012 "Meeting Schedules" link on the website.

Special needs

Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services or assistance can be arranged by calling the department's Public Affairs Office at least 48 hours before the meeting, 503-945-7200, text telephone 503-945-7213.

Mailboxes damaged in Knappa, Svensen and Brownsmead

On 07/13/2012, at around 530 AM, the Clatsop County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of Criminal Mischief.  The reporting party told the responding Deputy four mailboxes had been damaged.  The Deputy checked the area and found several other mailboxes had been damaged in the areas of Knappa, Svensen and Brownsmead.  Since then, 13 victims have come forward to report damage to their mailboxes.

During the course of the investigation, three juvenile suspects were identified and have since admitted to the crimes.  The reports for Criminal Mischief II will be forwarded to the Juvenile department pending charges.

The Sheriff's Office believes there could still be more damage that has gone unreported.  The Clatsop County Sheriff's Office is asking any residents in the Knappa, Svensen or Brownsmead areas with similar damage that occurred in the early morning hours of 07/13/2012, to contact Deputy Jason Hoover or Resident Deputy Justin Dersham with their information and estimates of the cost to replace or repair any damage. 

The Clatsop County Sheriff's Office greatly appreciates your help in this matter.

Clatsop County Commisssioners will meet to discuss Columbia River Fishery

Special Work Session
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial St., Astoria
Work Session: 2:00 p.m.
Work Sessions are an opportunity for Board members to discuss issues informally with staff and invited guests. The Board encourages members of the public to attend Work Sessions and listen to the discussion, but there is generally no opportunity for public comment. Members of the public wishing to address the Board are welcome to do so during the
Board’s regularly scheduled meetings held twice monthly.
Lower Columbia River Joint Fisheries Coalition
Board of Clatsop County Commissioners
Board of Columbia County Commissioners
Board of Pacific County Commissioners
Board of Wahkiakum County Commissioners
Call to Order
Introductions
Approval of April 24, 2012 minutes
Business
A. Approval of draft letter regarding State of Oregon Initiatives 21 and 26
B. Update on the Gill-Netting Referral
C. Selective Gear Report and Discussion of Next Steps
D. Report from Washington and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
E. Ocean Planning Update
F. Next Meeting – Thursday, 2:00 p.m. September 20, 2012 Wahkiakum County
Public Comment
Adjourn

Olson appointed as Pacific County Commissioner

     Beverly Olson of Bay Center has been appointed to serve out the remainder of Pacific County Commissioner Jon Kaino's District 1 seat.  Kaino resigned in May to become the new executive director of the Washington Counties Insurance Fund.  Olson, who is not running for the open seat, is filling the seat on a temporary basis.  She will officially take office on July 30th.  In her first public appearance at a Pacific County Candidates forum Thursday night, she said she is eager to get to work - "I am excited about it, I'm looking forward, I hope to make a positive contribution in a very short time."

     In a statement on the Pacific County Democrats website, Commissioner Lisa Ayers said the decision to appoint Olson,  would avoid the appearance of favoring one candidate over the others. "Commissioner Cuffel and I agree that appointing a running candidate may impact the election, and being this close to the election, we strongly feel that the citizens of District 1 should be allowed to choose their new commissioner without the influence of this appointment."  Olson, a longtime Democrat, previously served on the county’s Civil Service Commission.  She said she will resign the post to become the interim commissioner. Her primary focus during her five month stint will likely be on the county budget process. 

TESTS SHOW NO TOXINS IN CULLABY LAKE; CAUTION URGED TO VISITORS

Tests of water from Cullaby Lake show no evidence of harmful toxins related to recently observed algae blooms on the lake surface.

Visitors to the lake may recreate in the water, but are still urged to stay away from any areas where blue-green algae blooms are visible. Both Cullaby Lake Park and Carnahan Park, located on the lake’s north shore, are open to the public.

The county issued a notice earlier this week after blue-green algae blooms were observed on the lake surface. Water samples were collected to test for the presence of potentially harmful toxins that can be given off by certain species of the algae. Those toxins are particularly harmful to children and pets if ingested; symptoms can include nausea, cramps, dizziness, numbness and breathing and heart problems.

Because no toxins were detected, the Oregon Public Health Division will not issue a no-contact advisory for Cullaby Lake. Nevertheless, Clatsop County officials will continue to monitor the lake daily for blue-green algae, and will take water samples every other week to test for toxins.

For more information, contact the Oregon Public Health toll-free information line at 1-877-290-6767, Clatsop County Public Health Department at (503) 325-8500 or the Harmful Algae Bloom Surveillance Program online at www.healthoregon.org/hab

Ocean Park Timberland Library breaks ground for expansion

An expansion project that will nearly double the size of the Ocean Park Timberland Library is launching with a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, July 25 from 4 to 5 p.m.

Timberland Regional Library Board of Trustees members, Library Manager Iver Matheson, Acting Library Director Gwen Culp, and local dignitaries will participate in the public event. Light refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Ilwaco and Ocean Park Timberland Libraries in the library meeting room after the ceremony.

The project and need

An addition to the back (South) side of the library will expand the interior space from 3,240 to 5,932 square feet. Construction is expected to begin later this month and be completed by early 2013. Meanwhile, the library will remain open throughout construction except for short periods toward the end of the project.

“This project addresses the heavy use and congestion in the current facility and builds a library that will meet the needs of the entire community,” said Timberland Regional Library Acting Director Gwen Culp. The population has outgrown its library, which is 27 years old. The library is an active part of the community with a variety of groups using the meeting room, programs such as monthly book discussions, and an annual youth summer reading program currently in full swing. The expansion will relieve the crowding, provide people the opportunity to linger comfortably, and allow library staff to offer better service.

Short history

“There has been a library in Ocean Park for over 125 years,” said the library’s manager Iver Matheson. “It started as a small collection of books moving from house to house. By 1940 the library had found a permanent home in Ocean Park Elementary. In 1968, the library became part of the Timberland Regional Library system,” said Matheson.

The current library was built and opened in June 1985. The land on which the addition is being built was purchased by TRL in 2000.

Highlights of the new space

Improvements will include both new and expanded quiet reading spaces, a separate teen area (currently part of the children’s area), a larger children’s space, additional computer stations, and a larger staff workroom to process library items. The project also will include additional shelving and all new furnishings.

New seating areas in the back of the new space will provide wooded views looking much they do today. In the vision for the future, but not yet funded, is a patio and garden.

Cost and funding

Timberland Regional Library chose the Holmberg Company’s bid of $579,000 plus tax, which was the lowest. Holmberg is a Kirkland, Washington-based construction company. The architect is Frank Densmore of the Olympia-based Archos Corporation. As the Ocean Park library is a TRL-owned facility, the cost will be paid by the library system.

The Ocean Park Timberland Library is located at 1308 256th Place, Ocean Park. For more information, please contact the library at (360) 665-4184 or go to www.TRL.org.

Board of Clatsop County Commissioners Highlights

Board Meeting Highlights, July 11, 2012:

County Code adopted

The board adopted a newly revised County Code of Regulations. The code contains all county ordinances except for land-use ordinances.

County Counsel Heather Reynolds explained that the year-long review process, conducted with the help of a private consultant, fixed outdated and obsolete ordinances and made code enforcement clearer. The revision also collects the ordinances in a single location for easy access by county staff and the public.

Along with the code adoption the board also approved an ordinance-adoption process that allows for public hearings extended over two consecutive meetings.

Gillnet committee formed

The board voted to establish a committee to lead a public educational effort related to a November 2012 ballot measure that would ban the use of gillnets in the Columbia River salmon fishery. The board voted to appoint Commissioners Scott Lee and Dirk Rohne to the committee and authorize Chairman Peter Huhtala to appoint the remaining members, who will include, a fisherman, fish processor and up to four at-large members and would lead an effort to provide impartial information to voters about the county’s Select Area Fishery Enhancement (SAFE) salmon net-pen program and the local commercial salmon industry.

In May the county Budget Committee voted to earmark $18,000 from the county’s Special Projects fund to pay for educational outreach on the SAFE program.

Land-use appeal approved

The board approved findings of fact upholding a “vested rights” claim from landowner Dale Marshal granting him development rights on five residential lots in the Knappa area under the Measure 49 land-use initiative. The board originally approved the claim on appeal in 2010, overturning a decision from the county Community Development director, but final findings of fact were never adopted. The lack of findings was discovered earlier this year when Marshal inquired about the status of the property to the Community Development Department.

Hearings officer restored

The board approved a recommendation from the Clatsop County Planning Commission that the county assign Type IIa land-use applications to a hearings officer. Type IIa applications typically involve requests for conditional use permits or variances, but do not involve changes to land-use regulations or zoning. A hearings officer heard Type IIa applications for the county until 2007, when the board assigned those applications to the planning commission.

Other Business

In other business the board:

-Approved a four-year collective bargaining contract with the union representing deputy district attorneys. The agreement sets salary ranges for the three position classifications, annual cost-of-living adjustments, and minimum requirements for promotion to the top Deputy III position. There are currently five deputy district attorneys.

-Appointed the following people to the Clatsop Forestry and Wood Products Economic Development Committee: Dennis Creel of Hampton Affiliates; Eric Oien of Teevin Bros. Land and Timber; Jim Reeb of OSU Extension Service; John Larson of Georgia-Pacific Wauna mill; Kevin Leahy of Clatsop Economic Development Resources; Mark Gustafson of Gustafson Logging Co.; and Michael Bunch of the Oregon Small Woodlands Association.

U.S. 101 bridge work planned in Tillamook County starting July 23

Oregon Department of Transportation crews will be sealing and applying new wear surfaces on bridges between the Wilson and Wheeler Bridges on U.S. 101 starting on July 23. The work will be done mostly at night and will continue through August 3

Work is planned on 11 bridges on U.S. 101 from the Wilson River Bridge at milepost 64.2 ending to the north at the Wheeler Bridge at milepost 59.3. The work is scheduled from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. each week night during July 23-August 3.   As part of the bridge surfacing project, crews will be shot blasting periodically during the two weeks from 2 to 6:30 a.m.

While motorists should encounter minimal delays, a detour will be set up for about six days between milepost 63.4 to 62 using a county road.

Motorists should proceed with caution through the area.

CLATSOP COUNTY MONITORS ALGAE IN CULLABY LAKE, URGES CAUTION TO PUBLIC

Clatsop County officials are asking the public to use caution while recreating at Cullaby Lake while they monitor a potentially harmful algae bloom at the popular recreation site.

Water samples from the lake have been collected and sent for testing for evidence of harmful toxins associated with blue-green algae, which was recently observed on the lake. Test results are expected by early next week – in the meantime, the county recommends that the public avoid contact with the water when algae is visibly present, especially activities that could result in swallowing or inhaling water.

Depending on the results from the water tests at Cullaby Lake, the Oregon Public Health Division will determine whether an official health advisory is issued. Under new state options for monitoring harmful algae blooms, the County Parks Department will conduct daily monitoring of the lake surface and continue sampling for toxins while a bloom is present.

Both Cullaby Lake Park as well as Carnahan Park, located on the lake’s north shore, remain open.

Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, are naturally occurring organisms; certain species can release nerve and liver toxins into the water that are particularly harmful to children and pets if ingested. Symptoms can include nausea, cramps, dizziness, numbness and breathing and heart problems. Most all blue-green algae can cause skin irritation on contact even if they are free of toxins.

Cyanobacteria algae blooms occur in many fresh-water bodies, but it is not possible to determine if a bloom is potentially toxic simply by looking at it. If you see bluish-green, green, white or brown scum on the surface of any body of fresh water, keep children, pets and yourself out of the water. Even if the algae appear to be isolated in a single area be aware that winds and currents can move algae across the surface in minutes.

For more information, contact the Oregon Public Health toll-free information line at 1-877-290-6767, Clatsop County Public Health Department at (503) 325-8500 or the Harmful Algae Bloom Surveillance Program online at www.healthoregon.org/hab

CLATSOP COUNTY IN FOREFRONT OF YOUTH OFFENDER REHABILITATION

Some innovative approaches to rehabilitation have put Clatsop County’s Youngs Bay Juvenile Detention Center at the forefront of youth offender programs in Oregon.

The facility’s Youth Care Center provides a 120-day program combining cognitive behavior modification, “mindfulness” and health and wellness in a holistic approach aimed at steering young offenders away from a future in the criminal justice system.

The YCC program is believed to be the only one in the state that’s adopted meditation-based mindfulness practice into its detention system, and other counties and the state are taking notice.

The program takes in youth between ages 15 and 19 who are on parole or probation from state or county juvenile corrections programs, and who are at risk of entering the state detention system. Seriously violent offenders, sex offenders and juveniles with mental illness are not eligible.

On Wednesday the board of commissioners is scheduled to approve a new one-year contract for up to $102,930 with the Oregon Youth Authority to place youth in the YCC program. The contract gives priority to local youth and those from neighboring counties, although juveniles from other counties can be considered for the program.

The county Juvenile Department has also received a $5,000 grant from the Trust for the Meditation Process foundation for staff training and program materials.

Cognitive restructuring is a central part of most juvenile – and adult – rehab programs aimed at breaking cycles of addictive and destructive behavior. But even young offenders have often gone through these programs so many times they know the process by heart, and most YCC participants come to the program because they have failed other corrective programs, according to Janet Evans, Juvenile Department director.

Mindfulness is designed to complement the cognitive treatment programs with exercises designed to build self-awareness and self-control.

“We give kids a grounding in cognitive restructuring, but take it to a deeper level,” Evans said. “You start with an awareness of who you are, in relationship to your community.”

Juvenile counselor Ryan Moore brought his background in contemplative psychotherapy when he helped the Juvenile Department add the mindfulness element to its detention program three years ago. The approach centers on meditation – both in groups and individually – aimed at getting the youth to focus on the present and let go of the stresses from past mistakes or future challenges.

The concentration required to meditate can be a challenge for kids who often come to the program with attention-deficit disorder or other behavioral issues. But the detention setting provides a controlled atmosphere where not only drugs and alcohol but also distractions like phones and Internet are gone. Staff members leading the meditation practice start with 10-minute sessions that are gradually expanded, and youth meditate on their own in their cells.

“You can see the difference the grounding makes – you can see them calm themselves in stressful situations,” Moore said. “It’s a tool they can take with them when they get out.”

The self-control that the mindfulness training brings also reduces problems in the facility; the youth are more respectful to staff and each other, and behavioral issues requiring staff intervention are rare, Moore said.

The department is now adding a third element – wellness – to the YCC program. Youth learn the benefits of not only kicking drugs and alcohol but also good nutrition and exercise.

Evans called her detention center staff “amazing,” noting that they are responsible for both the YCC program participants as well as rest of the detention population. For many of the youth, the staff become mentors and role models – most of the juveniles stay in contact even after finishing the four-month program.

OREGONIANS HAVE NEW LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE CLAIMS PROTECTIONS

Oregonians who have long-term care insurance now have the right to have their claims paid promptly and to appeal an insurance company decision to deny benefits.

 

The changes are due to a 2011 law that became effective for people who buy new policies starting July 1, 2012. For those with existing policies, the law is effective when their policy renews, meaning it will be phased in over a year's period.

"Consumers with long-term care insurance policies have not had the same protections as consumers with other health insurance claims, yet they are some of the most vulnerable Oregonians," Oregon Insurance Commissioner Lou Savage said.

"Now, people with long-term care insurance or their representatives can more easily challenge claim denials or delays, which are the most typical complaints we receive," Savage added.

Long-term care insurance covers people who are chronically ill in a variety of settings - at home, in assisted living, or in a nursing home, for example. Typically, people become eligible for benefits if they can no longer perform certain daily activities such as eating, dressing, or bathing or if they have a mental impairment such as dementia.

Highlights of the law

*     Insurers must pay claims that are submitted with all the required information within 30 days of receiving the claim. If they fail to pay on time, they must pay the claim plus interest.

*     Consumers may appeal insurers' decisions that they are ineligible for benefits. If an internal review by the company upholds the denial, consumers may request an external review. In this case, an independent review organization determines if the insurer made the correct decision. The insurer pays the costs of the independent review.

*     Insurers who deny a claim for benefits must notify consumers of their appeal rights and the deadlines.

Consumers with questions about long-term care insurance or their appeal rights may contact an insurance consumer advocate at 888-877-4894. Additionally, the Insurance Division of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services has general information about long-term care insurance and rates on its website at http://insurance.oregon.gov/consumer/long-term-care/long-term-care-info.html.

 

Rules establishing long-term care insurance appeals procedures and the requirement that insurers pay claims promptly can be found here: http://insurance.oregon.gov/rules/attachments/recently%20proposed/id03-2012_rule.pdf.

Tillamook County Burn Ban

Effective Sunday, July 15th, there will be a county wide ban on open pile burning in Tillamook County.  Effective Wednesday, August 1st, all burning, including burn barrels, will be banned for all of Tillamook County.  Residents are encouraged to plan ahead and complete all burning prior to the ban.

Unemployment benefits are up in Oregon

As of July 1, the amount paid to Oregonians filing for unemployment insurance benefits increased slightly.  The maximum weekly benefit amount an individual can receive is now up to $524, while the minimum amount is now $122.

Under Oregon law, each year the Employment Department recalculates the maximum and minimum amounts paid weekly to those filing for unemployment benefits.  The amounts are set as percentages of the average weekly wage earned by Oregonians.  The minimum unemployment figure is 15% of average weekly wage, and the maximum amount is 64%.  Both dollar amounts are rounded down to the nearest dollar as required by law.

The new payment amounts represent a 3.4 percent increase from benefits paid over the past year.  The maximum payment over the past 12 months has been $504, with a $119 minimum payment.  The change affects new unemployment insurance claims filed with an effective date on or after July 1, 2012.  Those with existing unemployment claims will continue to receive the same weekly amount.

Coast Guard helicopter aids two injured men

The Coast Guard hoisted two injured men from the forest approximately 10 miles east of Tillamook, Ore., Monday.

Coast Guard Sector Columbia River, located in Astoria, received a request for search-and-rescue assistance from Tillamook County, Ore., Fire and Rescue at approximately 1: 40 p.m., stating two members of a work crew were injured and stranded after falling and sliding down steep, rugged terrain east of Tillamook.

Sector Columbia River launched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Astoria at approximately 2:27 p.m. The crew arrived on scene at approximately 2:51 p.m., and located the men. The crew lowered two aviation survival technicians, commonly referred to as “rescue swimmers”, to assist the injured men.

After preparing the men, the crew hoisted them both, from an approximate 200-foot hover, to the helicopter. They were transported to a clearing in the forest, near a road, approximately 100 yards uphill from the hoist scene. Awaiting Tillamook Fire and Rescue crews transported one man to a local hospital via ambulance. A Life Flight helicopter crew from Portland, Ore., transported the other man to a Portland hospital for medical treatment.

One worker reportedly has an injured ankle while the other reportedly has injuries to his spine, pelvis and abdomen. No official medical evaluation has been made at the time of this release.

NW OREGON DECLARES FIRE SEASON JULY 11

The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) announced today that all of its districts in northwestern Oregon will enter wildfire season on Wednesday, July 11.

"With the current and predicted weather, summer is finally here," said West Oregon District Forester Mike Totey. "We want to get out in front of the situation, since fire danger is increasing."

Entry into fire season chiefly addresses industrial forest operators. Logging operations, for example, are required to have a fire watch present after work activity ceases for the day, and fire suppression equipment must be positioned on site.

But if the warm, dry weather continues, additional restrictions may be added on recreation and other activities. 

He noted that on the 11th stricter rules on non-industrial activity will go into effect in one portion of the region: the Molalla River Corridor. These "regulated-use" restrictions address smoking, open fires and other activities.

The ODF districts entering fire season on Wednesday include: Astoria, Forest Grove, Tillamook, West Oregon and North Cascade.

For more information on the restrictions imposed by the fire season declaration, contact the nearest Oregon Department of Forestry office. Contact information for the Astoria, Forest Grove and Tillamook district offices can be found at: www.oregon.gov/ODF/offices.shtml.