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Oregon coast town wants watershed protected
Monday, May 11, 2009 | No comments posted.
CANNON BEACH (AP) - The Ecola Creek watershed may get some extra protection if voters in the city of Cannon Beach approve the purchase of 800 acres of forest near the ocean.
A $4 million bond measure to purchase the land is on the May 19 ballot. If city voters approve it, property owners would pay 36 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation.
The levy could be reduced by up to 35 percent if Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board approves a $1.4 million restoration grant request.
Ken Bierly, deputy director of the board, told The Daily Astorian newspaper that the watershed has a "high ecological value" and "significant resources worthy of protection."
Composed of forest, swamp and 15.75 miles of streams, much of the watershed has been deemed a core area for salmon.
Mayor Mike Morgan and supporters of the watershed purchase argue that the land is too valuable to risk losing to potential clear-cutting.
Supporters say the bond measure would preserve existing mature forest and allow younger forests to mature, protect and enhance salmon habitat and enable the public to learn more about the local ecosystem.
But opponents say it is a bad time to buy timberland with the economy in a recession.
They say the city already has too many projects - including the restoration of Little Pompey wetlands, construction of the Second Avenue seawall and development of local trails.
Opponents of the purchase say they believe the state can protect the area as well or better than the city.
They also say they doubt that the city can manage the parcel properly, citing fire danger and potential liability for injuries suffered by those hiking the area's steep and often slippery slopes.
"It's like digging a hole in the middle of the forest and burying $4 million," said Doug Wood, of Cannon Beach, who attended a public forum on the watershed recently.
It will cost $1.4 million less if the watershed enhancement board approves the restoration grant, but a vote is not expected until June or September.
All watershed projects are funded with money from the 7.5 percent of lottery proceeds that voters dedicated in 1998 to the protection and restoration of watersheds around the state.
Bierly said the project is significant because it is well supported by the city of Cannon Beach and protects salmon.
A $4 million bond measure to purchase the land is on the May 19 ballot. If city voters approve it, property owners would pay 36 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation.
The levy could be reduced by up to 35 percent if Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board approves a $1.4 million restoration grant request.
Ken Bierly, deputy director of the board, told The Daily Astorian newspaper that the watershed has a "high ecological value" and "significant resources worthy of protection."
Composed of forest, swamp and 15.75 miles of streams, much of the watershed has been deemed a core area for salmon.
Mayor Mike Morgan and supporters of the watershed purchase argue that the land is too valuable to risk losing to potential clear-cutting.
Supporters say the bond measure would preserve existing mature forest and allow younger forests to mature, protect and enhance salmon habitat and enable the public to learn more about the local ecosystem.
But opponents say it is a bad time to buy timberland with the economy in a recession.
They say the city already has too many projects - including the restoration of Little Pompey wetlands, construction of the Second Avenue seawall and development of local trails.
Opponents of the purchase say they believe the state can protect the area as well or better than the city.
They also say they doubt that the city can manage the parcel properly, citing fire danger and potential liability for injuries suffered by those hiking the area's steep and often slippery slopes.
"It's like digging a hole in the middle of the forest and burying $4 million," said Doug Wood, of Cannon Beach, who attended a public forum on the watershed recently.
It will cost $1.4 million less if the watershed enhancement board approves the restoration grant, but a vote is not expected until June or September.
All watershed projects are funded with money from the 7.5 percent of lottery proceeds that voters dedicated in 1998 to the protection and restoration of watersheds around the state.
Bierly said the project is significant because it is well supported by the city of Cannon Beach and protects salmon.
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