The Columbian weighs in on the debate over the future of Mt. St. Helens. In an editorial, the paper avoids the Park Service vs. Forest Service debate. But it does call for increased funding and shows some interest in the proposals of the Mt. St. Helens Advisory Committee.
Meanwhile supporters of a Mt. St. Helens National Park say they’re not giving up. One of them is Mark Smith, a member of the Advisory Committee and one of the persons Natural Oregon has interviewed several times. In a story for the Longview Daily News, Smith says he has regrets about not speaking up more forcefully for the National Park concept. The paper also interviews Sean Smith the National Parks Conservation Association. He says the goals of the committee are more likely to be reached if the Volcano is turned over to the National Park Service.
The Yurok Tribe of Northern California is thinking about reintroducing condors into the Klamath Basin. The tribe is holding a two day conference about the idea with state and federal officials. If they go ahead, it means the condor could be flying over Southern Oregon for the first time in over a century. From the Medford Mail Tribune.
Water quality is one of the issues before Deschutes County voters in next week’s special election. Ballot measure 9-70 requires residents in the southern part of the county to upgrade their septic systems. Groundwater in the area is becoming increasingly contaminated by nitrates. From the Bend Bulletin.
State officials got an earful from Jefferson County residents who are unhappy with draft legislation to ban destination resort development in the Metolius Basin. At a public hearing, some residents complained that local land use decisions were being overturned by the state. Another said that part of the plan could threaten farm land near Round Butte. From the Madras Pioneer.
