REEDSPORT — A Roseburg-area man has filed an appeal to postpone Douglas County’s approval a wood pellet factory proposed by a local sawmill owner at Bolon Island.

Roseburg-area resident Richard Sommer challenged the county’s lifting of an estuary overlay designation on the 4-acre site on which Paul Dailey proposes to build the mill.

“It’s too bad; can’t say I’m surprised,” Dailey said. “I’ve said all along that I will do what’s required to make this happen and I we will push on and get through this.”

“... I want to gather further environmental evidence to support my conviction that a (an) estuary overlay is a prime use and no other overlay can compromise its ability to function as a wetland,” Sommer wrote in his filing. 

Douglas County Planning Department Coastal liaison Jonathan Wright said that once the planning commission gave its approval, the property became open for industrial development.

“It’s been zoned heavy industrial since 1983 and was granted an exemption by the state in 2001 and made urban industrial,” Wright said. “It’s high enough in elevation to be out of the estuarian zone, so there’s really no impact.”

Wright said he is a little confused by the exhibits Sommer attached to his appeal, since the information included a map detailing information on a site 85 miles inland near Roseburg — unrelated to Bolon Island.

Douglas County commissioners now must decide whether they want to hear the appeal.

Personal watercraft use draws Sheriff’s warning

Trouble stirring in the Chetco River over personal water craft use has prompted the Curry County Sheriff’s Office to send out a reminder to boaters about rules and safety.

The small one-person water jet craft are only allowed to operate up to head of the tidewater, near the lower end of Social Security Bar, approximately river mile 3, a press release said. They are not allowed any farther up river. The Sheriff’s Office has numerous complaints about violations.  

On the Rogue River, use of the water craft is banned above Snout Creek, near river mile 30 by Cougar Lane boat ramp.

Personal water craft are not allowed on the Illinois, Pistol, Elk and Sixes rivers.

Violations of the personal water craft laws are subject to a class B violation punishable by a fine of $242.

Deputies also are urging boaters to wear their life jackets and not to drink alcohol while boating.

Reedsport High names   new principal

REEDSPORT — It’s official. Reedsport Junior/Senior High School has an incoming principal.

“I’m thrilled and a little shell-shocked,” said Laura Davis of Orting, Wash. “I really think I’ll be a good fit for Reedsport and it’s the right time.”

Davis starts her job with the Reedsport School District in August. She’s been a teacher at both the middle and high school levels. During the 2008-09 school year, Davis served an administrative internship in the Sumner School District.

Davis has a bachelor’s degree in education from Eastern Washington University and a master’s degree in Education School Administration from Central Washington University.

She has taught a variety of subjects at the high school and middle school level, in addition to coaching a number of sports. Davis is married and her husband, Jeff, will become the new superintendent of the Siuslaw School District in Florence starting July 1.

“We’re kind of on the fast-track here, what with getting ready to move and all,” Davis said.

Reedsport School District Superintendent Ike Launstein is pleased the interview committee settled on a candidate with a strong leadership and curriculum background.

Snow all plowed from winding road to the coast

MEDFORD (AP) — A light snowpack has allowed highway crews to plow the snow well before the traditional Memorial Day opening for a popular mountain road to the Southern Oregon coast.

But officials say the Bear Camp Road between the towns of Galice and Agness will not open for public use until crews inspect it and remove some hazardous trees.

The seasonal road links the Grants Pass and Medford areas with Gold Beach .

In December 2006, James Kim of San Francisco died of exposure while seeking help for his family after their car bogged down in the snow.

The Kims were apparently unaware the road is closed in winter and not a main highway.