OPRD release – Astoria, Oregon — The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission will convene Nov. 15 and 16 in Astoria for its fifth meeting of the year. On Nov. 15, commissioners will depart for a tour of Ecola State Park at 8 a.m. to see the potential impact of sea-level rise and erosion followed by a tour of Fort Stevens. The commission will hold a work session on Land and Water Conservation Fund Program administration and real estate services from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Clatsop County Fair & Expo Center Annex, 92937 Walluski Loop, Astoria, OR 97103. On Nov. 16, commissioners will convene an executive session at 8:30 a.m. at the Clatsop County Fair & Expo Center Annex to discuss acquisition priorities and opportunities and potential litigation. Executive sessions are closed to the public. A business meeting will begin at the same location at 9:45 a.m. and will be open to the public. Anyone may attend or listen to the business meeting; instructions on how to listen will be posted on the commission web page at https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/CAC/Pages/CAC-oprc.aspx prior to the meeting. The business meeting includes time for informal public comment related to any items not on the agenda. Registration is required to speak at the meeting if attending online, and is available at https://bit.ly/registernov2022commission. The deadline to register to speak at the meeting virtually is 5 p.m., November 10. No advance registration is required to speak in person at the meeting. Time per speaker is limited to three minutes. Please submit written public comments by 5 p.m. Nov. 10 to chris.havel@oprd.oregon.gov. The full agenda and supporting documents are posted on the commission web page at https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/CAC/Pages/CAC-oprc.aspx Notable requests: Approve acquisition of two parcels in Frenchglen, each approximately 2 acres, to improve service and capacity at the historic Frenchglen Hotel, operated by a concessionaire under contract with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). Approve property transfer from Clatsop County of two parcels of land, each approximately an acre, adjacent to John Yeon State Natural Site. The parcels are undeveloped, with no plans for new services or facilities, and the transfer is being proposed to make management more efficient. Approve acquisition of one parcel of land, approximately 1.40 acres, in the Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area, that includes outstanding views, mature vegetation, ocean frontage with a sandy beach, and bird habitat. Approve amendments to administrative rules governing the application, operation and distribution of the Local Government Grant Program to address the potential of additional funding and needs for general updates to administrative processes. Approve revisions to archaeological permits rule to define specific terms, update out-of-date processes and address inconsistencies with ORS 390.235, ORS 358.905 and ORS 358.920. Anyone needing special accommodations to attend the meeting should contact Denise Warburton, commission assistant, at least three days in advance: denise.warburton@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-779-9729. People who plan to present oral testimony are asked to email a copy of their statement to Warburton in advance. The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission 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.
