The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission will convene for their fourth meeting of the year Sept. 17-18 in Brookings. On Sept. 17, commissioners will tour Cape Blanco State Park, including the park’s Historic Hughes House, and parts of Samuel Boardman State Scenic Corridor. The group will then conduct a training and work session 2 – 4 p.m. at the Southwestern Oregon Community College (SOCC) community room, 96082 Lone Ranch Parkway, Brookings. Sept. 18 the commission will convene an executive session 8 – 10:15 a.m. at the SOCC community room to discuss real estate and legal issues. Executive sessions are closed to the public. A business meeting will begin at 10:15 a.m. and will be open to the public. Notable topics on the business meeting agenda: Approve a property exchange agreement between Curry County and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). Under the agreement, the county would transfer ownership of 90 acres of forestland that abuts Floras Lake State Natural Area to OPRD, adding it to the area’s 1,500 acres. In exchange, OPRD would transfer ownership of 32 acres of undeveloped property in Port Orford Cedar Forest State Scenic Corridor to the county. The exchange agreement also calls for OPRD to engage in joint trails planning between county- and state-managed properties and to start a county-wide comprehensive state park planning project to consider other exchange opportunities. Approve a property exchange between OPRD and Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) for properties near Tumalo State Park and Sisters, and in Wheeler County. Under the agreement, ODOT would transfer ownership of two properties to OPRD: land near Tumalo State Park, and Service Creek Recreation Site in Wheeler County. In exchange, OPRD would transfer ownership of 27 acres near Sisters to ODOT. The exchange would ensure the three properties are better utilized: new outdoor recreation opportunities could be developed in the Tumalo and Service Creek areas, while ODOT could develop the Sisters land for future highway projects. Approve grant requests under the Local Government Grant Program (LGGP). The commission is responsible for approving all LGGP funding requests submitted by the LGGP Advisory Committee during the 2019-21 biennium. For the 2019 grant cycle, 54 applicants will be submitted to the commission for approval. Learn more about the LGGP online: oregon.gov/oprd/GRANTS/pages/local.aspx#Local_Government_Grant_Program
Approve properties in Linn and Union Counties for registration as State Natural Areas
Late last year, a private landowner in Linn County petitioned OPRD to review 202 acres of forested property near Brownsville for possible registration as a State Natural Area under the Oregon Natural Areas Plan. OPRD reviewed the property—known as Courtney Creek—and concluded portions of the property have “high ecological value” and meet the criteria for registration. The agency is recommending the property be registered as a State Natural Area. Earlier this month, a private landowner in Union County petitioned OPRD to review 1,230 acres for possible registration as a State Natural Area. OPRD reviewed the property—known as Glass Hill—and concluded the property “provides ecosystem elements currently unrepresented in the State Natural Areas system” and is recommending the property be registered as a State Natural Area. The full draft agenda and meeting packet are on the commission website: oregon.gov/oprd/Pages/commission.aspx People who plan to present oral testimony are asked to provide 15 copies of their testimony to Denise Warburton, commission assistant, at denise.warburton@oregon.gov.
People who need special accommodations to attend the meeting should also contact Warburton by email or call 503-986-0719, at least three days in advance. The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission promotes outdoor recreation and heritage by establishing policies, adopting rules, and setting the budget for OPRD. 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.

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