Another Attempt to Head off Herbicide; Siuslaw Dredging; LC Planning Commission; Coastal Lawmakers

Coast Radio News
Local News

10 September 2013

Anti Herbicide Negotiations Could Be Revived

Heceta Water District Commissioners will hear a proposal from a citizen advocating more action to prevent spraying of herbicide within the watershed of Clear Lake, the district’s sole source of drinking water.

Commission president Bob Hursh said herbicide opponent Nancy Herzberg will make a presentation to water board members during their regular monthly meeting this afternoon.

Hursh said it could result in further negotiations with property owners of a recently logged tract of land just east of Clear Lake.  Doug and Lisa Charnock have offered to manually apply a form of a weed and brush killer similar to Roundup on 40 acres of replanted trees rather than aerially spray.  Many district residents want to avoid any herbicide application; but efforts by the water district to do that have fallen short because of cost considerations.

Hursh said following this evening’s presentation he may return to the negotiating table with the Charnocks with another offer.

He and others are concerned about the impacts the chemicals may have if they make their way into the drinking water.

Planning Commission Vacancy Going Begging

So far, says Lane County Commissioner Jay Bozievich, there have been no takers for the open seat coming up on the county’s Planning Commission.

The county has been advertising for applicants for the one vacancy in the West Lane position but so far nobody has expressed interest.  The panel meets twice monthly, or as needed, usually in Eugene.  They make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on comprehensive plan issues and amendments.

Bozievich calls the slot “one of the most important citizen committees in county government”.  It’s charged with assuring citizen involvement in the land use process.

Qualified applicants must reside or own property in West Lane County.  More information on the committee, as well as the application process, can be found at the county’s website.

Dredge Yaquina

There’s already been a lot of traffic in the Siuslaw River entrance over the past few weeks… but the sport fishers trying to hook fall-run salmon will need to make a little more space beginning Saturday.

That’s when the dredge Yaquina will arrive to begin work cleaning out the river channel at the entrance.

Port of Siuslaw Manager Bob Forsythe said the Yaquina will be on station four to five days in all.

Roblan and McKeown on Our Town

The State Legislature wrapped up the 2013 session in July, but there were things that did not get accomplished to the satisfaction of Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber.

He wants lawmakers to come back to Salem at the end of this month to take action on additional cuts to benefits for retired public employees, as well as eliminate several tax credits to free up extra cash that would be used for education and mental health services.

But, he’ll only call them back to session if he knows he has enough votes in both chambers of the legislature to approve his plan.

State Senator Arnie Roblan and Representative Caddy McKeown will be in the studio for KCST’s Our Town tomorrow afternoon to talk about the Governor’s proposal.

Our Town airs on 106.9 KCST beginning at 4:00.