A roundup of issues from the county court’s perspective

By Harney County Judge Steve Grasty
For Burns Times-Herald

2008 has been a challenging year for the community in Harney County, its citizens and for county government. Fuel prices (though better now), market conditions for the ag sector and our RV plant, the nation’s recession and general poor economic factors world wide have all added to those challenges.

The editor of the Burns Times-Herald asked the court for a recap of the year at the county level thus this report.

At the county level the commissioners, economic development staff and I, along with many others, dedicated a significant amount of time this year to seeking and developing strategies and actions that hopefully will eventually payoff in attracting and keeping jobs in our community. The year began immediately following the closing of the LP plant in Hines. The county court’s position is that we should do all we can to preserve the facility in a condition where it might attract some industry or business. We have met with numerous parties interested in developing industry and jobs in that plant.

Disappointedly, nearly all of those ideas have ended up being severely challenged in obtaining financing due to the national credit crunch. The exception is that interest remains high toward some use of the land or facility around bio-mass energy and heat production.

In June, John Deere Industrial at our request staged a demonstration of their equipment in removing and harvesting juniper. The results were much more favorable than many of us had thought. Their work also increased interest in using juniper for wood pellets. Following the demonstration the county sent a truck load of juniper bundles to Cascade Locks for processing into wood pellets. Tests showed a large reduction in moisture content (an added benefit to making wood pellets) in only eight weeks. We continue to pursue both pellet manufactures and bio-mass energy firms.

The greatest challenge now will be to assure some sustainable and predictable supply off federal grounds as well as private.

On a more positive note early in ’08 one of several wind energy developers investigating sites in this county submitted a land-use application for a 104 megawatt wind-farm near Mann Lake. There were no protests/appeals and the permit has been granted.

Work on the access road has kept one local firm and all its employees busy a large share of this year. Additional land use applications for two other wind farms near Diamond have since been received by the planning department and action will be taken on them early in ’09. These developments along with others may provide the first new jobs and economic recovery for this county in several years. The county court will remain active in these projects.

Related to both biomass and wind, the county became a participant in a couple of collaborative processes in an attempt to arrive at solutions with various special interest groups. The hope is for solutions rather than to have to deal with litigation.

One of those efforts has been supported by and is now being facilitated by the local High Desert Partners group. The effort received recognition from the Governor and is one of several “Oregon Solution” projects with support out of his office.

The court also entered into a memorandum of understanding with The Nature Conservancy seeking collaborative solutions as they have set a statewide agenda to find a way to end all the litigation, which has so adversely affected much of rural Oregon.

One of the major services that this county government provides to its citizens is the rural county road system. We began the year with incredible drifting near Fields and put hundreds of hours into just trying to keep that road open during day-light hours. The drifting was caused by a lack of road side vegetation from a large fire in ’07.

The county court has been preparing for the eventual loss of the timber replacement dollars and to that end purchased a rock crusher in late ’07 which was put into use early in this year. Gravel and chip seal rock is the largest single purchase of the road department, and we have proven that making our own rock will save substantial dollars over time.

The road crew and its contractors replaced three bridges in the county, on the Silvies River, Donner Und Blitzen River and at Sodhouse. The crew re-graveled the Crane-Venator Road and improved Red Ruh road to the point that all weather travel on it is now possible. They were unable to perform any asphalt work in ’08 due to petroleum prices driving asphalt oil prices to nearly four times the previous year.

Kerry Landers, Road Superintendent for over 39 years, retires on Dec. 31. He and his memory will be greatly missed. Eric Drushella is the new superintendent.

Surprisingly the Secure Rural School dollars were replaced late in November, albeit in a reduced formula and the county received $1.9 million from the state which puts the road department in good financial condition for the next several years. The court will continue to monitor funding for roads and adjust as necessary, but these receipts have given some breathing room.

The county general fund received an unexpected increased payment of $357,000 as payment in lieu of taxes for the federal government. This will assist the fund to remain in the strong financial position.

On another note, there were four issues that came up this year that remain unresolved at this time. They deserve a comment in this letter.

First, the court dealt with a very contentious land-use decision appealed from the planning commission and then from the county court to the Land Use Board of Appeals. It has been remanded back to the court on two occasions. It remains to be seen if more action will occur on this issue.

Early in the year a dedicated group of folks began efforts on the formation of a rural fire protection district. At the very point in the complicated legal process where the county court would have had to make a decision whether to put it onto the ballot for a vote the committee had to withdraw their petition. The committee continues to meet and something may yet occur. If a district is to be formed some action on the part of the court will likely be required.

A new noxious weed, African Rue, was discovered in the county mid year. This plant is so worrisome that a major focus from the land owners, Oregon Department of Ag, Bureau of Indian Affairs and the County Weed program is occurring. Costs to eliminate this weed could exceed $250,000 and take several years to accomplish. The county has several noxious weeds already, and it will be important to not allow this new one to spread. This issue will be closely watched.

Finally a new recycling effort, 4R Recycling, began in the county with much support. Rimrock Recycling; a volunteer effort, closed its door after many years of hard work on recycling. The world wide demand of materials has resulted in a large decrease in the value of recyclables and is now putting the new effort at risk. This issue also will need to be watched; hopefully prices will turn around to help.

There are many other areas in which your county government was involved this past year; however the topics above cover the major efforts. If you would like to hear more or to discuss any of these issues,  contact any of the three members of the County Court: Commissioner Dan Nichols, Commissioner Jack Drinkwater or myself, Judge Steve Grasty.

We wish you all and all in this county a wonderful new year — one that is successful for all.