17 September 2015
Still need Senate approval
The Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians are one step closer this week to regaining control of three parcels of land, one each in their aboriginal tribal areas.
The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Western Oregon Tribal Fairness Act, H-R-2791, yesterday.
It would place three separate tracts of forest land, totaling just under 15-thousand acres, into trust for the tribes. It’s currently in the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management.
Tribal Council Chair Mark Ingersoll was excited about the news. He said the land has significant historical and cultural value, but will also provide jobs and economic growth.
They’ve been at this point before though. Last year, the House approved a similar bill, only to see it derailed in the Senate by partisan wrangling.
Tribal leaders say they hope it won’t happen this time.
Chilean quake prompts advisories
Portions of Southern California and Hawaii were under tsunami advisories earlier this morning following a powerful 8.3 magnitude earthquake. The quake was centered just off the coast of Northern Chile yesterday, causing damage onshore and killing at least eight people.
A small tsunami was recorded in French Polynesia this morning and authorities issued a tsunami Watch for Hawaii and the Southern California coast. They said no actual wave was likely, but there could be strong currents and rapid fluctuations in water levels.
No advisories were issued for areas north of San Francisco.
Old Town Baskets supported by businesses
Nearly before it began, an effort to install large hanging floral baskets in Historic Old Town Florence is already halfway to its goal.
The Downtown Revitalization Team, a committee of the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce, wants to place 30 of the baskets in and around Bay Street next spring. DRT members hope that a concentration of the baskets will add to existing hanging baskets already in the area. They will be similar to installations in Reedsport and Coos Bay.
Within days of identifying the preferred locations and style, the group has received commitments to sponsor 15 of them.
The Chamber is asking businesses or individuals interested in sponsoring the $75 baskets to contact the visitor’s center.
Second SandPines housing headed for planning commission
The Florence Planning Commission will consider their second housing development this month when they meet Tuesday.
The Commission gave preliminary approval last week to a 40-lot subdivision just west of Sandpines Golf Links.
The proposal under consideration next week is for 54 single family homes immediately east of Sandpines.
Approval was granted to construct 99 town homes on the site in 2006. The current owners, S&C Investments, want to reduce the density and build free-standing homes.
A public hearing on the proposal is set for seven pm, Tuesday at City Hall.
Rain rings a bell for Coho
Anglers on the Central Oregon Coast are welcoming today’s rain.
Jay Cable – “This rain is what brings the scent of the estuary out into the ocean. And that’s what attracts the fish and tells them… you know, that’s what rings the bell and tells them it’s time to go up and spawn.”
Jay Cable owns the Bridgeport Market next to the boat launch on Old Town. He keeps his finger on the pulse of sports fishers. They’ve had success with Chinook in the past few weeks. Coho season opened yesterday and he says the rain is coming at the perfect time.
Jay Cable – “Should be hotter than a fire cracker from now, you know, until the middle of October.”
Sport fishing in the ocean will dwindle as fish move into the rivers and bays. But, there will be lots of boats on the Siuslaw River over the next several weeks.
