Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission, Nov. 27

The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its fifth and final meeting of the year Nov. 27-28 in Lebanon. On Nov. 27, Commissioners will tour Cascadia State Park and Linn County’s River Bend Park, followed by a work session and training. On Nov. 28, Commissioners will convene an executive session at 8:15 a.m. at the Best Western Boulder Falls Inn Conference Center, 505 Mullins Drive, Lebanon, to discuss real estate and legal issues. Executive sessions are closed to the public. A public business meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the same location. The agenda includes requests to:     Consider whether or not to recommend designation of a 17.5 mile section of the Nehalem River as a State Scenic Waterway. If recommended, the proposal would move to the Water Resources Commission in February 2019, and if they agree, it goes to Gov. Kate Brown for a final decision. Approve the Wallowa Lake Management Unit Master Plan, which guides recreation use and resource management in two state parks and one state scenic corridor for the next 20 years. If approved, the plan will go to Wallowa County for final approval. Pre-approval of construction contracts that will be awarded later this fall: $722,000 to remodel the North Falls Visitor Center at Silver Falls State Park and $800,000 to improve the septic system at Champoeg State Heritage Area. Approve $2.46 million in Recreational Trails Program grants for 12 projects that provide, improve and maintain recreational trails for both motorized and non-motorized uses. The draft agenda and meeting packet are listed at bit.ly/nov2018agenda. People who plan to present oral testimony are asked to provide 15 copies of their statement to Commission Assistant Denise Warburton denise.warburton@oregon.gov. Those needing special accommodations to attend should also contact Warburton by email, or call 503-986-0719, at least three days in advance. The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission (www.oregon.gov/oprd/Pages/commission.aspx) promotes outdoor recreation and heritage by establishing policies, adopting rules, and setting the budget for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. The seven members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. They serve four-year terms and meet several times a year at locations across the state.