Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission in Cannon Beach, Nov. 15

Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission in Cannon Beach
The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its fifth and final meeting of the year Nov. 15-16 in Cannon Beach, Oregon. On Nov. 15, Commissioners will gather at 9 a.m. at the Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce, 207 North Spruce St., to tour sites in the area, followed by a work session and training, including information on the 50th anniversary in 2017 celebrating the July 6, 1967 passage of the Beach Bill that guaranteed public access to the Oregon ocean shore. On Nov. 16, Commissioners will convene an executive session at 8:15 a.m. at the Surf Sand Resort, 148 W. Gower St. in Cannon Beach to discuss real estate and legal issues. Executive sessions are closed to the public. A public business meeting will begin at 9:45 a.m. at the same location. The agenda includes several information and action items from agency staff, including requests to: >>Approve Oregon Administrative Rules for two new scenic waterways–portions of the Chetco and Molalla Rivers– designated by Governor Brown in March 2016. The proposed rules incorporate public comment gathered at each step of the designation process. Information is online at http://bit.ly/scenicwaterways. >>Receive information about a proposal to purchase 156 acres at Beaver Creek State Natural Area expanding Brian Booth State Park in Lincoln County, for $1.6 million. The property would be paid for with a grant from the US Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Conservation Fund and from Lottery funds. >>Approve selling 7.2 acres of property and easements along the Booth State Scenic Corridor and Chandler State Wayside in Lake County to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) for $8,270. ODOT will use the property along Highway 140 for a safety improvement project that includes widening shoulders and installing guardrails. ODOT will also improve wetlands at the Chandler Wayside parcel. >>Refuse to approve a private landowner’s request to build a cabin along the Grand Ronde State Scenic Waterway because the cabin location would be visible from the river, a violation of rules for that location within the state scenic waterway. The draft agenda is online at http://bit.ly/november2016agenda. The full meeting packet will be available by 10 a.m. Monday, November 7. People who plan to present testimony are requested to provide 15 copies of their statement to Commission Assistant Jen Busey at jen.busey@oregon.gov for distribution to the Commissioners before the meeting. Those needing special accommodations to attend should also contact Busey by email, or by calling 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.