Oregon Beach News, Wednesday 7/17 – Scientists Find The Coast And Columbia River At Risk Of Flooding From Climate Change And Sea Level Rise & Other Local and Statewide News…

The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Oregon Beach Weather

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Coast, Columbia River at risk of flooding from climate change, sea level rise, scientists find

In Oregon, up to 142 critical infrastructure sites could be impacted along the coast by the end of the century, mostly in the state’s northwest corner

High water on U.S. 101 in Tillamook in December, 2023. Tillamook is among dozens of sites along the Oregon Coast where rising sea levels will cause repeat flooding by the end of the century, according to scientists. (Oregon Department of Transportation/Flickr)
High water on U.S. 101 in Tillamook in December, 2023. Tillamook is among dozens of sites along the Oregon Coast where rising sea levels will cause repeat flooding by the end of the century, according to scientists. (Oregon Department of Transportation/Flickr)

Hospitals, schools and other critical infrastructure and services along the Oregon Coast and in parts of the Columbia River Gorge are at risk of repeat flooding if nothing is done to rapidly curb greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change, scientists find.

An analysis of flood risks around the U.S. under various climate change scenarios was published June 25 by the Massachusetts-based Union of Concerned Scientists, a national nonprofit that includes about 250 scientists, analysts and policy experts. The researchers looked at the possibility that essential facilities – including medical facilities, government buildings, fire stations and public housing – would be flooded at least twice a year. 

In Oregon alone, up to 142 critical infrastructure sites could be impacted along the coast by the end of the century, primarily in the state’s northwest corner. More than 130,000 people live in the three counties – Clatsop, Coos and Tillamook – that would be most impacted, the analysis said. 

The scientists analyzed the flood risk of critical coastal infrastructure through the end of the century under three scenarios. The first considered a lowering of greenhouse gas emissions, creating relatively low sea level rise by 2100 of about 1.6 feet. The second scenario projected a medium sea level rise to 3.2 feet by the end of the century. The third – a worse-case scenario – envisioned a rise in greenhouse gas emissions during the second half of the century causing a 6.5 foot increase in sea levels by 2100. 

Across the U.S., more than 15,000 critical infrastructure sites could be impacted if sea levels rise more than 6 feet by 2100, the study said. The researchers found that twice as many critical infrastructure sites were in areas with predominantly Black, Hispanic or Latino and Native American populations.

In Warrenton, a key wastewater treatment plant could face flooding once every two weeks by 2100 in the low sea level rise scenario. The Knappa Fire District Station in Astoria and the Cannon Beach Post Office on North Hemlock Street could be flooded as often as every two weeks in the highest risk scenario. The same would apply to two apartment buildings offering affordable housing in Seaside.

“In truth, our collective willingness to stop polluting now will determine the scale of the problem late this century,” the scientists wrote. 

The EN-ROADS simulator developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology also shows flooding from rising sea levels and climate change moving deeper into the Columbia River Gorge by 2100 if climate change continues to worsen and oceans rise. According to the simulator, the single most effective policy decision to slow climate change would be to tax carbon dioxide emissions by the ton and charge heavily polluting industries, such as those in the oil and gas sector, forcing them to decarbonize. 

In the report, the Union of Concerned Scientists recommended that policymakers, planners and technical experts collaborate and invest to safeguard critical infrastructure in high-risk areas and to start working now on moving people and services as needed to areas with more protection. More broadly, they called for a rapid phasing out of fossil fuels, holding heavy greenhouse gas emitters accountable for their pollution and costs and ramping up clean energy investments. (SOURCE)

Lightning Moved through Oregon Tuesday Night

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Mark Grissom  — Bandon Tuesday Evening

Fatal Crash – HWY 101 – Curry County

Curry County, Ore. 14 July 24- On Sunday, July 14, 2024, at 11:40 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Hwy 101, near milepost 298, in Curry County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a southbound Ford F250, operated by James Franklin Mickelson (36) of Sixes, left the roadway for unknown reasons, traveled approximately 400 feet through a field, and struck a tree. The collision caused the vehicle to become engulfed in flames.

The operator of the vehicle (Mickelson) and passengers, Joseph Frances Kurka (20) of Sixes and Dereck Eugene Stroop (35) of Port Orford, were all declared deceased at the scene.

The highway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

OSP was assisted by the Port Orford Fire Department, Sixes Fire, Coos Forest Patrol, Coos Fire, the Curry County Sheriff’s Office, and ODOT.

Highway 101 Work

Traveling south on the coast this week will likely come with some delays as the Oregon Department of Transportation is doing some grinding and paving of portions of highway 38 and highway 101 in Reedsport.  During daytime hours ODOT will be working on the section from Highway 38 to Winchester Bay on 101.  The City of Reedsport issued the notice and asked for travelers to use an alternative route when possible.

Dog injures paw on hiking trail in Oregon, needs to be carried down Saddle Mountain by rescuers

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(Photo Credit: creativex | Getty Images)

On July 14, a 160-pound dog was safely carried down Saddle Mountain in Oregon. Firefighters rescued the canine after he injured his paw while on a hike with his pet parents. Following the incident, officials have advised owners to ensure their pups have booties to avoid similar accidents involving sharp wiring laid down for stability and traction.

On Sunday, Cannon Beach Rural Fire Protection District rescued an injured pup from Saddle Mountain in Oregon. They had the assistance of the Gearhart Volunteer Fire Department, Hamlet Volunteer Fire Department, and Seaside Fire & Rescue. The dog weighed about 160 pounds and needed to be carried down the mountain by the rescuers.

The Great Pyrenees needed a stretcher after he injured his paw while hiking with his parents. Welded wire fencing has been cited as the cause of the injury. While it helps with traction and stability for hikers, it can prove harmful to animals. Unfortunately, the sharp wires often stick up from the ground and have led to injury in the past as well.

The pup was happily hiking with his owners when he suddenly refused to budge. Upon further inspection, the dog’s parents realized his paw was cut and called for assistance to carry him down the mountain. In a Facebook post , Cannon Beach Rural Fire Protection District noted that although the hiking trail was listed as dog-friendly, it wasn’t so due to the presence of sharp wires and rocks.

The authorities stated that if one wants to hike up Saddle Mountain with their furry companion, it would be best to invest in some dog booties. They will keep their precious paws safe and avoid incidents like this. It is also important to note that owners must have their canines on a leash on the hiking trail.

The post 160-Pound Dog Carried Down Oregon Mountain by Firefighters appeared first on DogTime .

Tribal Leaders on The Coast Call For Action to Return Sea Otters to Oregon

Leaders of two federally recognized Oregon coastal Indian tribes have called upon U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to “take all appropriate actions” to direct the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to return sea otters — known to tribal ancestors as Xulh-t’ush, Giye’we, or Ela-ke’ — to the Oregon coast within the next five years.

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The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians have called upon the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to take action to reintroduce sea otters to the Oregon coast. (File photo)

The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI) and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians (CTSI) have sent letters to Haaland. In the letters, Bradley Kneaper, chairman of the CTCLUSI Council, and Delores Pigsley, chairman of the CTSI Council, cited the cultural ties between coastal Indian people and sea otters extending back thousands of years. 

“Our ancestors knew Xulh-t’ush as a relative who brought prosperity and plenty to our people,” Pigsley and Kneaper said in a statement issued last week, noting the critical importance of sea otters to the ecological health of the ocean. “Science teaches us what our ancestors knew, that these creatures are indeed a keystone species that creates and maintains kelp forest habitat conditions in nearshore ecosystems. Sea otters were thus central to the way of life our ancestors enjoyed for thousands of years, until both sea otters and the way of life they supported were destroyed in the 1800s.”

Once found across the North Pacific Ocean from Japan to Mexico, sea otters were hunted nearly to extinction for their valuable fur more than a century ago. They have recovered on the central California coast and, thanks to reintroduction in the late 1960s and early 1970s, on the coasts of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, Vancouver Island, and Southeast Alaska.

But the tribal leaders point out that sea otters remain absent from the entire Oregon and northern California coastline and as a result, “our nearshore ecosystem has experienced dramatic changes.”

“Without sea otters, instead of productive kelp forests, our rocky seafloor is covered in ‘urchin barrens,’ biological deserts of purple sea urchins that have devoured these kelp forests and all that they provide to the ecosystem,” Kneaper and Pigsley said. “We feel strongly that the time has come to bring Xulh-t’ush back to Oregon and call on Secretary Haaland to direct the USFWS to prioritize returning sea otters to the Oregon coast, set a timeline, prepare a plan, and take other steps necessary to pursue this act of environmental and cultural reconciliation.”

The otters are a keystone species, meaning many other marine species largely depend on them, and their absence has myriad effects, especially on kelp and seagrass forests and species that depend on those oceanic forests. The otters eat sea urchins that attack kelp.

The otter has been listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act since 1977. They were nearly hunted to extinction for their fur throughout the 1700s and 1800s.

Southern sea otters consume more than 150 different species, including mussels, crabs and clams. The reintroduction of the otters could also result in restrictions or prohibitions on some fishing gear to protect the otters from becoming caught or hurt, according to the news release.

Scientists from the agency concluded in a feasibility study that the benefits of their reintroduction outweigh the potential negative impacts to fishing and shellfish harvesting. As a keystone species, their return would enhance the health of kelp and seagrass ecosystems and the fish that depend on them, potentially increasing some fish populations. Growing kelp and seagrass forests is also helpful for reducing ocean acidification and for trapping climate change causing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service held eight open houses along the Oregon coast in June 2023 to share a proposal for reintroducing southern sea otters — one of three subspecies of sea otter — to the Pacific Coast from San Francisco and up through northern Oregon. (SOURCE)

Curry County Sued Over Citations For Homeless People

In a lawsuit filed on Thursday in federal court, John Malaer claims that in July 2022 he was living on property owned by Curry County in the small, coastal community of Harbor, Oregon, across the river from Brookings.

He says the county’s code enforcement officer posted a trespassing notice outside his tent that did not comply with state law. The lawsuit says that notice was later rescinded.

On the same day, the county then leased that property to a private individual for $1 a year, turning it into private property. The lawsuit argues the county did not give adequate notice of this change before then threatening to arrest those camping on the property and issuing a criminal citation to Malaer later that night.

Alicia LeDuc Montgomery, the lead attorney representing Malaer, said for the county to lease property, it has to be in the public interest.

“How can they possibly say that leasing public property, where the public is using it for the basic necessity of being able to sleep somewhere at night or access services that they need to survive, is outweighed by a $1 revenue stream per year?” she said.

The lawsuit was filed against the county, Sheriff John Ward, two men who were sheriff’s deputies at the time, former County Commissioner Christopher Paasch and the former Code Enforcement Officer Melvin Trover.

The Board of Commissioners and Ward did not respond to a request for comment.

According to an agenda item from a July 6, 2022 Board of Commissioners meeting, Trover sought to have the county vacate the property and lease it to property manager Ron Reel. The goal was to “address the tents.”

Instead, the property was leased to Ue Ching Ow, who appears to be an anesthesiologist in Monterey, California. The site is near Shopping Center Avenue and Zimmerman Lane in Harbor, near a liquor store.

“The County engaged in this leasing as a bad faith attempt to levy criminal charges against unhoused campers, including Mr. Malaer, and avoid complying with state laws intended to protect the rights of individuals camping on public property, simply because Mr. Malaer and others remained camping in public view on public property for lack of other housing or resource options and asserted their rights,” the lawsuit reads.

The lawsuit also claims the county violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, since Malaer is disabled and “could not physically comply with the order or move all of his property in the time demanded.”

LeDuc Montgomery said they’re seeking a jury trial, as well as economic and compensatory damages of an unspecified amount. (SOURCE)

Construction is Underway at Oregon State University Wave Energy Test Site

Oregon State University PacWave South testing site being built off the coast of Newport is the first pre-permitted, utility-scale, grid-connected wave energy test site in the United States.

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View of the Seacor Lee from Driftwood Beach State Recreation Site. TheA vessel is anchored off the Oregon Coast near Seal Rock in August 2023 to work on PacWave South. Photo by Michelle Klampe, Oregon State University.

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A rendering of PacWave South testing facility being installed on the Oregon Coast. (Graphic provided by Oregon State University)

Workers will install power and data cables for Oregon State University’s new testing facility in the coming week. This will allow researchers to develop new ways to harness the power of ocean waves and transfer that energy into the local electrical grid.

OSU Professor Burke Hales called the site one more asset in the country’s portfolio of green energy. “We have a carbon problem,” Burke said. “We’re changing the climate, we’re changing the chemistry of the oceans and the only effective way to resolve that problem is to stop producing so much carbon.”

The test facility is located north of Waldport and it will connect to four power and data cables stretching 10 to 13 miles out into the ocean. Once installed, the cables can test up to 20 different wave energy devices at the same time. The test site was placed on a sandy-bottomed stretch of the Pacific Ocean, away from popular commercial and recreational fishing reefs, the university said. All boaters are advised to avoid the area while the construction is in progress.

The Louisiana-based subsea cable services contractor R.T. Casey will start the installation later this month. PacWave Deputy Director Dan Hellin said that the public will likely see three different vessels working about 7 miles off the coast south of Newport as crews spend the next six to seven weeks installing the cables. “We are asking all mariners in the area to maintain a minimum distance of 500 yards from any vessel involved in the cable installation process,” Hellin said. “While these vessels will be moving very slowly, they will be laying cables and have equipment operating on the seafloor, so they will be unable to stop operations or deviate from their planned route.”

Wave energy tests are expected to begin at the facility in 2026. The PacWave South site was funded by more than $100 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Energy, the State of Oregon and other public and private entities.

“Wave energy has the potential to provide clean, reliable electricity to help meet the world’s rising energy demands,” OSU stated in a press release. “Oregon State has pursued development of a wave energy test facility for more than a decade to accelerate the development of this industry. There currently is no U.S. facility for developers to measure the electrical and environmental performance of their devices at this scale.” FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/cable-installation-set-begin-osu-led-wave-energy-testing-facility-oregon-coast

The Oregon Coast Aquarium New Tufted Puffin Oregon License Plates on Sale

One of Oregon’s most adorably iconic seabirds is coming to the front and back of a car near you. The Oregon Coast Aquarium has opened voucher sales for its new tufted puffin license plates.

The design, featuring a tufted puffin floating in the ocean and gazing down at some fish below, was created by the
aquarium’s graphic design and marketing coordinator, Cam Mullins.

Starring a tufted puffin—one of Oregon’s iconic seabirds–funds from the new license plate will benefit both the Aquarium’s animals and their wild counterparts. You can purchase a voucher now and exchange it at the DMV once the physical plates are available. We need to sell 3,000 vouchers to reach the production stage—meaning the sooner 3,000 vouchers are sold, the sooner production begins, and the sooner you’ll have your puffin plates in-hand. Read the full story at aquarium.org/puffin-plate-debut🌊📷: photo by OCAq’s Jeremy Burke

Tufted puffins are native to Oregon and nest on the rocky coast. The aquarium has a Seabird Aviary that sustains a flock of these sea birds and the profits from the license plates will go to benefit these puffins and their wild counterparts.

The voucher is available for purchase on the aquarium’s website. The cost covers the $40 surcharge fee and the money left over after the deduction of the DMV’s fees will go to support the Oregon Coast Aquarium’s
rehabilitation and conservation efforts. The aquarium is building a new marine wildlife rehabilitation center with
hopes of doubling the number of animal patients it can offer care to. FOLLOW on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/OregonCoastAquarium

CAST for Kids Foundation needs five additional boat captains to take a disabled child and their parents crabbing for a few hours on Sunday, July 28th.

If you and your family would like to volunteer, please register online at castforkids.org/event/yaquinabay

The C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation (C.A.S.T. = Catch A Special Thrill) is a public charity that was formed in 1991 to join volunteers who love to fish with children who have special needs and disadvantages for a day of fishing in the outdoors. Children with special needs (ages 6-18) and their caretakers come together with community volunteers for a fun day of fishing they may not otherwise experience. These events provide a refreshing break from their daily challenges. Spreading a positive message that kids with disabilities can accomplish anything, we include all children, despite their limitations. This is all made possible through national and local sponsors-people who want to make a big difference in the lives of kids with special needs thus strengthening their community. https://www.facebook.com/castforkidsfoundation

Siuslaw Library Summer Reading Program

City of Florence Environmental Management Advisory Committee (EMAC) members, Vicki Philben, Ivy Medow and City Councilor Sally Wantz, as well as Master Recycler, Britte Kirsch, are partnering with Miss Gayle at the Siuslaw Public Library in this year’s Summer Reading Program. 

Using the “Read, Renew, Repeat” curriculum, these volunteers will be hosting 5 interactive events on such topics as bugs & bees, dirt, recycling, worms, and native plants.  Children of all ages are encouraged to attend these and all the other events from June through July.  All programs are free and held at the Florence location’s Bromley Room unless otherwise specified.  For more information, call the Siuslaw Library at 541-999-3132. 

Florence Food Share Empty Bowls 2024 Call for Artists for Poster Art

21st annual empty bowls dinner & auction, a benefit for FOOD For Lane County

We are currently making plans for Florence Food Share’s annual Empty Bowls event, which has been a successful fundraiser for 29 years. Local artists contribute handmade ceramic, wood, and fused glass bowls along with other art for sale during the first weekend of December.

For over a decade, we have featured the work of a local artist on the poster advertising the event. The art created for the event serves as the focal point for the poster and is later raffled off at the event to generate extra revenue for the Florence Food Share. In return, the artist receives recognition in local and regional publications and a tax deduction, of course.

We are searching for artwork that conveys the message of the event and the mission of Florence Food Share, which is to provide nutritious food to those in need because “no one should go hungry.” We welcome any medium, as long as it can be photographed, and the original artwork can be donated to the event. We will handle the framing, with input from the artist.

To be considered for creating the poster art for 2024, please send us your concept, including the medium and a description of the proposed image. Additionally, attach a photo of one of your previous works to give us an idea of your style. Please email your submissions to Desiree Clifton at dclifton@windemere.com by August 25, 2024. The
completed, unframed artwork should be submitted no later than September 30, 2024.

We are grateful to all the artists who have participated in Empty Bowls over the years and eagerly anticipate the participation of new artists in this year’s event. For any questions regarding submitting artwork, please reach out via email to dclifton@windemere.com. Florence Food Share Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/florencefood.share/?locale=ro_RO

Beverly Beach State Park Remains Closed Until End of July

Due to delays in construction, Beverly Beach State Park will now be closed through the end of July, according to Oregon Parks & Recreation.

Located just seven miles north of Newport, the popular campground and day-use area has been closed since September 2023. The construction work included moving power lines underground and replacing water lines. The park is now slated to reopen on August 1.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office to Host Hiring Event in July

We are looking for individuals with strong character, motivation, and integrity to join our Sheriff’s Office team. With multiple positions open, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a hiring event on Saturday, July 20, 2024. This event is a great opportunity to learn about the rewarding careers our team has to offer. 

Those interested in participating are encouraged to complete an application before the event. To submit an application, visit www.co.lincoln.or.us/748/Join-the-Team. Join us at this hiring event to jumpstart your successful career in Law Enforcement.  

All applicants are invited to meet our team, have lunch, and learn more about our career opportunities. Deputy applicants ages 21 years and older are invited to complete the physical testing requirements during this event. Participants in this event experience a significantly expedited application process. In addition to completing the required physical test for free, participants have the opportunity to meet our team, ask questions, receive more information on perks and benefits, and enjoy free lunch and snacks. All participants need to bring ID and deputy applicants need to bring athletic clothes and shoes.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, July 20, 2024
Time: 11:00am – 2:00pm 

  • Check in anytime between 11:00am and 1:30pm.
  • Deputy applicants will complete the physical testing for free (testing takes less than 15 minutes per participant).
  • Enjoy lunch and network with our team.
  • Ask questions and get a feel of what your future career looks like.

Location: Search and Rescue Building, 830 NE 7th St., Newport

What to Bring:

  • Government Issued Identification
  • Athletic clothes and shoes if applying for a deputy position
  • Interest in joining our team

Registration for this event is encouraged but not required. For questions or to register, contact Jess Palma at 541-265-0652 or jpalma@co.lincoln.or.us

Lincoln County Accepting Grant Funding Applications for Share Of $398,000 in ARPA Funds for Local Water and Sewer Projects

$398,000 in funds from the American Rescue Plan Ac (ARPA) are set to be distributed to eligible districts in Lincoln County to invest in local water, sewer and drainage projects.

The American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law in March of 2021 and provided states, cities, and counties with federal money to support pandemic recovery efforts and economic stimulus. One allowed use for ARPA dollars is to support public water, sewer and drainage projects.

Lincoln County is accepting grant funding applications from local water, sewer and drainage districts in unincorporated Lincoln County for water and sewer projects. Eligible projects must meet the ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) eligible funding requirements.

Districts must be in good standing with State of Oregon financial reporting requirements and show proof of complying with public meeting law requirements. The county has a total of $398,000 to provide for eligible projects from districts. Applications will be reviewed by a committee selected by Lincoln County to look at the financial stability of the organization, the engineering feasibility of the project, and if the project meets ARPA requirements.

The county is planning to use an open grant process to award the funds. Starting June 10 applications will open, they will be awarded on a first come, first served basis to qualifying districts and projects; applications will close once all funds have been allocated.

The county says each eligible district can ask up to $50-thousand total. Projects can be stand-alone projects or a discrete portion of a larger project. Applications will be reviewed by county administrative, legal, and engineering staff to ensure projects meet American Rescue Plan Act, legal and technical requirements. All projects must adhere to federal procurement rules and Davis-Bacon Act requirements.

County officials say they will execute contracts with awarded districts before December 31, 2024. All work on the awarded projects must be completed by subrecipients before December 2026. To apply for the Local Water, Sewer and Drainage Districts’ Grant click here.

OHA 2024 Oregon Beach Monitoring Season

Agency shares list of monitored beaches for May-September

—The Oregon Beach Monitoring Program (OBMP) is kicking off the 2024 beach monitoring season by announcing the list of coastal recreation areas it will be keeping an eye on for bacteria during summer and early fall.

The 24 beaches on the list that the OBMP, based at the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Public Health Division, is publishing includes some of the most frequently visited beaches in Oregon. It also includes beaches where the program has found bacteria present, or beaches for which local partners and the public have requested monitoring due to potential pollution concerns.

The following are Oregon beaches being monitored during 2024, including beach name, and the city and county in which they are located:

Beach monitoring season runs from mid-May to mid-September. Beach advisories are only issued for beaches that are actively being monitored within this sampling window. Other beaches will be investigated for inclusion in the next beach monitoring season.

OBMP works with Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to identify beaches that need monitoring based on several established criteria. These criteria include: pollution hazards present; previous beach monitoring data that identify water quality concerns; type and amount of beach use; and public input.

As part of an adaptive sampling plan, beaches and sampling locations are routinely re-evaluated to ensure available resources best protect public health. A copy of DEQ’s beach evaluation is available upon request.

For more information and current beach monitoring conditions please visit: www.healthoregon.org/beach, or contact OBMP at each.Health@odhsoha.oregon.gov“>Beach.Health@odhsoha.oregon.gov or 971-673-0400.

EVCNB

Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay

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ODF’s Weekly Situation Report is to help create a snapshot of large fire information, weather and prevention information.

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To read the full report, visit https://ow.ly/VjfX50SCLwS

Fires Around the State

https://app.watchduty.org/#/i/26324 Wednesday 7/17 9am

Please Help Prevent Wildfires!

The Forest Service says since June, more than 100 wildfires in Oregon and Washington were caused by people, Though most of the time crews were “largely successful” in putting them out, officials are urging the public to help reduce the amount of preventable fires firefighters have to deal with.

The U.S. Forest Service says a surge of human-caused wildfires is stretching resources thin as extreme heat, dry conditions and lightning in the forecast increases the chances of wildfires.

In these dry conditions, a single spark can cause a lot of damage. Learn how you can prevent wildfires by visiting the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s wildfire prevention page

OSFM sending firefighters, incident management team to Falls Fire in Harney County

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon State Fire Marshal is sending its Blue Incident Management Team and four task forces to the Falls Fire burning 20 miles northeast of Riley in Harney County. 

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7/17 – The fire was mapped at 91,269 acres during an infrared mapping flight overnight & that perimeter is visible on the Watch Duty map via the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC).

For fire information, please follow the Falls Fire Facebook Page or the Falls Fire InciWeb page.

OSFM sends task force to Lone Rock Fire through Immediate Response

The Oregon State Fire Marshal is mobilizing resources to assist locals battling the Lone Rock Fire in Gilliam County.  A task force from Linn County and a division supervisor were mobilized early this morning. The fire sparked Saturday afternoon and burned about 4,200 acres by evening. The Gilliam County Sheriff has Level 2 (Be Set) evacuation notices in place for the community of Lone Rock.  

7/17 – The fire is now estimated at 71,000 acres and 10% contained per the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC).

For evacuation information, follow the Gilliam County Sheriff

Larch Creek Fire – Wasco County

7/16– Evening update from the Larch Creek Fire Facebook page:
18,690 acres, 27% contained.

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Firefighters made excellent progress today and the Larch Creek Fire perimeter is now fully lined. There is potential for thunderstorms in the area overnight through tomorrow morning. Storms may bring gusty outflow winds and test firelines overnight into tomorrow morning.

Precautions should be taken to prevent the start of additional fires. Fire restrictions are in effect for ODF and USFS jurisdictions. Evacuations remain in effect and levels did not change today. Evacuation information is available at: https://www.facebook.com/WascoCountySheriff.

ODF Southwest Oregon District — 𝙅𝙊𝙎𝙀𝙋𝙃𝙄𝙉𝙀 𝘾𝙊𝙐𝙉𝙏𝙔 𝙇𝙄𝙂𝙃𝙏𝙉𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙁𝙄𝙍𝙀𝙎:

Firefighters are continuing to make access to a reported eight fires on both sides of the Lower Rogue River, northwest of Galice. Overnight, firefighters were able to reach two fires and begin an aggressive initial attack. The remaining six fires range from difficult to impossible to access by road or on foot, and aircraft will be the most beneficial tool we can use on these fires today and throughout the attack. Overall, none of the fires saw substantial growth overnight, however hot weather today is expected to increase fire activity.

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Our district Type 3 helicopter that hosts our helitack crew is en route to the area, and additional helicopters from the Salt Creek Fire in Jackson County and air tankers will be used throughout the day. Four additional 20-person crews from the Salt Creek Fire are also being reassigned to these incidents this morning.

The area these fires are burning is in and around numerous fire scars, including the Rum Creek Fire from 2022 and the Big Windy Fire from more than a decade ago. In some areas, this may help firefighters get an upper hand, and in others, it may provide additional challenges. All of the ground is steep with hazardous falling trees and rocks with little to no road access points. A Rapid Extrication Module (REM) unit and additional medical staff is also being relocated from the Salt Creek Fire to this general area, as firefighter safety is a concern on all of these incidents.

At this time, there are no road or campground closures, however, please be aware of firefighters working in the area. Fire engines and equipment may have a heavier presence on roads out in these areas. This post will be updated as more information becomes available.

Salt Creek Fire – Salt Creek Road, Eagle Point

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Salt Creek Fire Turns the Corner to Full Mop-up Operations

EAGLE POINT, Ore. – With the entire perimeter lined, work on the Salt Creek Fire is now focused on mop up for the remainder of the incident. Updates to mapping put the fire at 4,081 acres, and an infrared (IR) flight across the whole area is scheduled for this evening to confirm a final acreage. 

Overnight, firefighters used multiple types of IR devices to search for hot spots, or smoldering patches of vegetation, roots and coals that could later reignite in hot conditions. With these specific locations identified and marked on maps, today’s day shift resources will be better able to find and extinguish these areas holding leftover heat. 

“We’ve worked incredibly hard in a short amount of time to get to this point where the fire is lined and holding,” Joe Hessel said, IMT 1 Incident Commander. “The work that’s left will require us to be methodical and thorough.”

Today, resources will pick up where night shift left off and build on the progress that has already been made around the perimeter. Mop up totals range from 50 to 200 feet deep into the interior of the fire, which illustrates how wide and secure the line itself is in each area. 

Today, more than 750 personnel are assigned to the fire for Saturday’s day shift, including 27 20-person crews, 22 engines, 12 water tenders, 13 tree fallers, seven dozers and various types of logging equipment. 

BLM Medford District has temporarily closed BLM-managed lands in the area for safety. For more info go to: https://www.blm.gov/orwafire

U.S. Forest Service Wildland Firefighter Dies after Activity

Wildland Firefighter Daniel Foley, 27, was working in the Fremont-Winema National Forest in Oregon.

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A wildland firefighter is dead after completing a routine preparedness activity. U.S. Forest Service Wildland Firefighter Daniel Foley, 27, was assigned to Fremont-Winema National Forest, according to The Herald and News.

 “Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the family, friends and wildland fire community,” said Benjamin Wilson, public information officer.  

Foley’s father shared his son’s journey in a Facebook post: “He started as a volunteer with Twin District in Lancaster went on to become a EMT and then a professional firefighter in Fauquier County VA. He moved back home a few years later and worked at the Buffalo VA hospital which he loved. He followed his best friend/brother Dan Sutch to Oregon to work as a wildland firefighter with the US Forestry Service.

He passed away in the line of duty July 9th doing what he loved and always dreamed about with his best friends.”   (SOURCE)

Governor Kotek Declares Extended State Of Emergency Due To Imminent Threat Of Wildfires

Governor Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency because of the imminent threat of wildfire beginning on July 12, 2024, and continuing through October 1, 2024.

“Wildfires are active across Oregon and are growing at a concerning pace. Hot and windy conditions this weekend, including forecasted lightning in some areas, are threatening even larger wildfires,” Governor Kotek said. “I am declaring a State of Emergency to access state resources for communities across Oregon as we respond to this year’s escalating wildfire season.

“Throughout the summer, it will inevitably get hotter and drier, presenting an even greater risk of catastrophic wildfires. The best way to limit wildfire impacts on our communities, natural areas, and first responders is to be aware of the conditions and prevent wildfires from starting.

“I urge all Oregonians to follow the instructions and evacuation levels issued by emergency officials, subscribe to emergency alerts on ORAlert.gov, have an evacuation plan, prepare a go-kit, and stay aware of changing conditions.”

A link to Executive Order 24-13 can be found here.

Following ORS 401.165 et seq., Governor Kotek determined that the State of Oregon is in a critical fire danger situation, threatening life, safety, and property because of extreme high temperatures. The state has experienced wildfires this season resulting in three state conflagration declarations and two federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) declarations, several community evacuations, threatened and damaged structures, and critical infrastructure.

Oregon’s neighboring states of California, Idaho, and Washington continue to experience similar fires and weather. The extended weather forecast for Oregon predicts ongoing warm and dry conditions, creating an imminent fire threat across a large portion of the state.

This declaration directs the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) to support access to and use of personnel and equipment of all state agencies necessary to assess, alleviate, respond to, lessen, or recover from conditions caused by this emergency and to meet requests by the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), the Oregon Department of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), and/or county and tribal emergency management to support response needs to respond to or lessen the effects of, the wildfire emergency as described in the state’s Emergency Operations Plan.

The Oregon National Guard will deploy, and redeploy, firefighting resources as needed and following Operations Plan Smokey 2024 throughout the remainder of the fire season based on need.

Those who believe they have been charged excessively high prices for essential consumer goods during this emergency are encouraged to report violations to the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Protection Services, which has the authority to investigate unlawful trade practices.

Lightning Moved through Oregon Quickly Tuesday Night

May be an image of lightning
· Mark Grissom  — Bandon Tuesday Evening

Several fire starts were reported in Douglas County following a string of lightning storms that swept through the district Tuesday night, July 16, 2024, said the Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA).

According to the DFPA, strikes were recorded from Glendale to Elkton on the west side of the district and from Tiller to north of Glide on the east side of the district.

Officials say the DFPA immediately responded to the fires by initiating aerial and ground lightning reconnaissance. Fire officials confirm that there are several fire starts in the West Fork area, mostly northwest of Glendale. The DFPA says that resources are actively engaged, including the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) area severity aircraft.

30,000 Children In Low-Income Oregon Families Missing Out On Extra Food Benefits

Thousands of low-income Oregon families are leaving food money on the table this summer. The Department of Human Services said Monday that families with 320,000 children have received extra food assistance for the summer but families with another 30,000 children who qualify need to apply. 

The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children, or Summer EBT, pays a one-time payment of $120 per child to help low-income families cover food costs over the three-month summer period when children are not in school and don’t have access to those free meals. The payment adds to other assistance, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP. The summer program totals about $35 million in aid a year and is funded entirely by the federal government.

A pilot run of the program in Oregon showed it reduced child hunger by one-third, said Iván Hernández, a spokesman for the Oregon Food Bank.Apply for benefits

Families can apply online in​ English and Spanish

For other languages, use the paper application​

Call  833-673-7328 to find out if your child qualifies or for more information.

Allow up to 30 days for applications to be processed.

Families can also obtain other free food this summer by texting “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 304-304, visit summerfoodoregon.org or go to  food resources​.

“Part of why this is so effective is because it provides households with extra funds to purchase foods of their choice from retailers like grocery stores or farmers’ markets, which means kids won’t have to travel to summer meal sites that might not meet their dietary needs/preferences or be culturally appropriate,” Hernández said.

This spring, the Oregon Food Bank estimated that one in five children in the state face hunger, but Feeding America says it’s one in six.

In January, Oregon officials applied for the program, and this spring the Legislature agreed to the federal requirement to pay for half of the administrative costs, about $13 million over two years. 

Families who are already on SNAP, the Oregon Health Plan or Medicaid, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, TANF, have received automatic $120 payments earlier this month. But these other children qualify as well:

  • Children in foster care.
  • Children who attend a school in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program and:
    • Have a monthly income of $3,152 for a family of two, $3,981 for a family of three, $4,810 for a family of four or $5,640 for a family of five. 
    • Are enrolled in migrant programs.
    • Are homeless.
    • Attend Head Start.
    • Participate in food distribution programs on Native American reservations. 

Department of Human Services officials are sending letters to families that qualify by the end of this month. Officials are adding the payments to SNAP cards or, for others, mailing debit cards with the money on them to families. 

Officials do not ask for a child’s or family’s immigration status on the application or to determine eligibility, and enrollment in the program also does not affect a child’s immigration status, DHS said, nor does the so-called public charge rule apply. The rule can be used to deny visas or legal residency to families that lack economic resources.

Families can check to see whether they received the benefits by checking their EBT card. The deadline to apply is Sept. 2. (SOURCE)

People living, dumping on Oregon’s public lands ‘overwhelming’ Bureau of Land Management

Illegal dumping cleared by the BLM's Medford District. (Bureau of Land Managment)

BLM spokesperson Samantha Ducker told KOIN 6 News that the federal agency, which owns about 25% of Oregon, knows that people are living and dumping on public lands. While the public is encouraged to camp on BLM land, BLM regulations prohibit people from camping in an area for more than 14 days. Once the two-week limit is reached, campers are required to move 25 miles away from their previous campsite.

If people remain in the area past the deadline, BLM Law Enforcement officers can issue a $250 fine. But with 25 law enforcement officers and five special agents employed across the entire state, BLM officers are overwhelmed by the number of illegal long-term campsites in Oregon.

“The BLM is experiencing many problems with unauthorized, illegal long-term occupancy of public lands,” Ducker said. “This is distinctly different from camping for recreational purposes. These long-term occupancies are overwhelming the agency’s resources to deal with them, and in many cases result in hazardous wastes that require specialized contractors for removal and remediation.” READ MORE: https://www.koin.com/news/oregon/people-living-dumping-on-oregons-public-lands-overwhelming-bureau-of-land-management/amp/

Oregon seeks public comment on large-scale farming regulations

Oregonians have until July 22 to submit comments on the implementation of new environmental restrictions for the state’s largest farms.

When the Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 85 last year, regulations were signed into law for Confined Animal Feeding Operations. Now, the Oregon Department of Agriculture is working to implement them.

Brian Posewitz, staff attorney for the group WaterWatch of Oregon, said the new rules will help protect one of Oregon’s most important natural resources.

“All Oregonians should care about that, because all Oregonians should care about our water supplies, both in the streams and rivers as well as in the groundwater,” Posewitz emphasized. “Because those water supplies are precious to everybody.”

The regulations mean more closely monitoring the amount of water used by the large farms and considering the placement of the operations to reduce nitrate contamination in groundwater caused by manure. The move to protect Oregon’s water supply coincides with an increase in demand for water as the state reenters its wildfire season.

As important as Oregon’s water is, regulations often come with a price tag. Large ag operations could be more limited in their site selection, disposal of waste and use of water. The Oregon Farm Bureau predicted tougher rules will affect people’s trips to the grocery store.

Lauren Poor, vice president of government and legal affairs for the bureau, thinks the new rules will make it harder to buy local, and wonders if the changes are justified.

“There wasn’t a clear indication that there needed to be changes to this program to protect Oregon’s waterways or Oregon’s water supply,” Poor contended.

According to Poor, the previous regulations were working, and continuously changing them can be difficult for producers. The deadline is July 22 to submit public comments to the Oregon Department of Agriculture before the regulations are finalized the end of this summer.

May be a graphic of 4 people and text

Public comment sought on program serving older adults and people with disabilities

Salem, OR – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), along with the Oregon Health Authority, will hold a forum to receive feedback from the public on implementation of Oregon Project Independence – Medicaid (OPI-M).

OPI-M is being launched by the ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities this year as a result of an 1115 Demonstration Waiver. This forum for public input is referred to as a Post-Award Public Forum by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and is required by federal regulations. It will provide information on the implementation of OPI-M since the waiver was approved by CMS on Feb. 13, 2024, in addition to providing an opportunity for the public to provide feedback. OPI-M operates under the authority of section 1115(a) of the Social Security Act. The waiver is in effect from Feb. 13, 2024, to Jan. 31, 2029.

The forum will be held as a video conference on Zoom on Aug. 5, 2024, from 3 to 4:30 ​p.m. Pacific Time​. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and Real-Time Captioning (CART) will also be provided. To request other accommodations, please contact Max Brown by email at rown@odhs.oregon.gov“>Max.Brown@odhs.oregon.gov or by phone at 971-707-1019 no later than 48 hours prior to the forum.

Meeting: OPI-M Post-Award Public Forum

When: Aug. 5, 2024, 3 to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time

Where: Video conference meeting on Zoom

  • To join by video conference: Join Zoom Meeting​
  • To join by phone: dial 669-254-5252; meeting ID: 161 701 1754; passcode: 664575

Additional resources and information about OPI-M:

Ashland’s Winchester Inn has been nominated by USA Today as a 2024 Best Wine Country Hotel

Decades before Wine Enthusiast magazine included southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley as one of the 2022 top five wine regions in the world, the Winchester Inn in Ashland had been celebrating regional vintners and catering to people who travel here to savor award-winning red, white and sparkling wines.

Now, the Winchester Inn has been nominated by USA Today as a 2024 Best Wine Country Hotel. Nominees are selected by a panel of experts and voting by the public continues until 9 a.m. July 22.

Vote for The Winchester Inn

Best Wine Country Hotel — The Winchester Inn in Ashland, Oregon, offers a boutique hotel experience that combines comfort and charm, including a gourmet breakfast served each morning as part of the stay. Situated in downtown Ashland, the inn offers convenient access to nearby wineries, outdoor activities such as hiking and biking, and the renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-wine-country-hotel-2024/the-winchester-inn-ashland-oregon/

https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/

The wild sagebrush deserts of southeastern Oregon are a step closer toward additional environmental protections.

The Bureau of Land Management is updating its management plan for 3.2 million acres in Lake and Harney counties, as part of a 2010 legal settlement with the nonprofit Oregon Natural Desert Association — also called ONDA. The settlement required BLM to survey its southeast Oregon land that didn’t have wilderness protections, and then map out areas that are wild and natural enough for potential protections.

Sage grouse are sometimes referred to as a fool hen. During mating season they appear to lose their defensive measures, said Juli Anderson, Swanson Lakes wildlife manager.
The Bureau of Land Management is finalizing management plans for public lands that encompass sage grouse habitat.Vince Patton / OPB

Through that mapping process, the BLM’s Lakeview District office determined that an additional 1.6 million acres had wilderness characteristics — meaning they are large, mostly natural areas with few manmade objects in sight.

Now the agency is asking the public how much of that land should have limits on offroading and mining. BLM outlined several options in a draft environmental analysis last month, all with varying levels of wildland protections, and highlighted one as its preference.

The agency’s preferred option would protect the natural characteristics of about 25% of the wild lands it mapped. Some environmental groups say that’s not enough.

ONDA program director Mark Salvo called it “a great start.”

“But are there more wilderness quality lands that should be protected as part of this planning process — as part of a balanced use of this landscape? We believe so,” he said.

Salvo is particularly concerned about protecting lands around the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge in Oregon, as well as an area reaching down to a wildlife refuge in Nevada.

“These are some of the most important public lands in the West remaining for wildlife that depend on sagebrush steppe,” Salvo said. Sage grouse, pronghorn and pygmy rabbits live in these areas.

Although BLM highlights a preferred option, Lakeview district manager Todd Forbes said the public should study all management options on the table.

“It’s really helpful for me to hear people look at all the alternatives and describe how those alternatives impact their use of the land,” Forbes said. “And in addition to that, is there anything that we missed that we didn’t analyze that we should have?”

BLM is hosting several public meetings about the proposed plan through July. Public comments are due Sept. 5.

Earlier this year, BLM finalized a similar addition to its management plan covering 4.6 million acres in Malheur, Grant, Harney and Baker counties, including the Owyhee Canyonlands. That update was part of another legal settlement with ONDA. During that process, BLM determined that 1.2 million acres of public land had wilderness characteristics. It ultimately added protections for about 417,000 acres.

BLM is also working on its management plan for the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument in southern Oregon. That monument was first designated by President Bill Clinton in 2000, and then expanded in 2017 by President Barack Obama. BLM is expected to complete that plan this fall, as reported by Jefferson Public Radio. (SOURCE)

https://www.oregon.gov/osp/missing/pages/missingpersons.aspx

Oregon’s Missing Persons

Many times you’ll see postings without case numbers or police contact. There is rarely a nefarious reason why (the nefarious ones are pretty obvious). Usually the loved one tried to call to report their missing person and they are either refused or told to wait a day or two by people who are unaware of SB 351 and the laws that they are bound to when answering the phone. Many people don’t bother calling LE if their loved one is homeless or in transition because they believe LE won’t care. The biggest myth is the 24 hour rule.

In Oregon we don’t have those rules and an officer or person answering the phone is not allowed to decide. The law decides. We have Senate Bill 351 and it states that the police CANNOT refuse a request for any reason and they must begin working on it within 12 hours. The person making the report does not have to be related to missing person either.

Here is SB 351 written by families of the missing here in Oregon in conjunction with Oregon law enforcement officers. This should be common knowledge, please make it this way. https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/…/SB351/Introduced

Contact us: Info@OregonBeachMagazine.com

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