UPDATE 6-14-19

Lake Owyhee State Park has reopened. County crews have finished clearing landslide debris from the access road, allowing access to the park. 

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ORIGINAL RELEASE TEXT

Multiple landslides caused by heavy rains during the evening hours of June 12 have covered the sole access road to Lake Owyhee State Park, prompting the park’s closure until further notice.

The park’s access road, Owyhee Lake Road, will be closed to visitors while Malheur County road crews work to clear slide debris and assess road conditions. The slides are covering the road in multiple locations, starting about ½ mile north of the dam and continuing south towards to the park.  

For current information about road conditions, contact Malheur County officials:

• Wess Allison, Malheur County Nyssa Road Dept. (below dam): 541-372-2632
• Dave Tifney, Malheur County Road Dept. (above dam): 541-473-5191

Park staff have been in contact with the approximately 80 day-use and overnight visitors in the park. Park staff are asking visitors to remain in the park until county officials send word that the road is cleared and safe for visitors to use.

As of this release, there have been no reported injuries or medical concerns among park visitors. There is no damage to park facilities or structures from the landslides; access to potable water, electricity and restrooms is unaffected.  

More information about the park, including maps and directions, is on oregonstateparks.org.

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Note for editors: Lake Owyhee State Park is in a remote area; cell phone service is intermittent. Subsequent updates will be published as access to the park is improved.

COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. – The State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation (SACHP) will meet June 20 and 21 at the Cottage Grove Armory building for a tour and to consider nominations to the National Register of Historic Places. Both the meeting and the tour are open to the public.

Thursday, June 20: SACHP will depart at 1 p.m. from the Cottage Grove Armory, 628 E. Washington Ave., Cottage Grove for a tour of historic resources within Cottage Grove. The tour is expected to conclude by 5 p.m.

Friday, June 21: SACHP will meet at 9 a.m. at the Cottage Grove Armory to consider nominations to the National Register of Historic Places.

Friday’s meeting agenda: a presentation by the State Historic Preservation Office’s (SHPO) grants and outreach program coordinator, and hearings of one delisting request, two boundary revisions, and two proposed nominations. Hearings will begin at 10:30 a.m. For specific hearing times, refer to the online agenda: www.oregon.gov/oprd/HCD/NATREG/Pages/nrhp_sachphome.aspx

The committee will review a delisting request for the Jefferson Substation in Portland. The committee will review two boundary revisions: one for the Oregon State Hospital Historic District, Salem and another for the Portland Police Block, Portland. The committee will review two proposed nominations: the Beauchamp Building, Stayton and the Fried-Durkenheimer House, Portland.

Nominations recommended by the SACHP go to the National Park Service, which maintains the Register under the authority of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.

The SACHP is a nine-member governor-appointed citizen commission with credentials in many historic preservation-related fields.

The meeting site is accessible to people with disabilities. Special accommodations for the meeting may be made with at least three days of advance notice by calling (503) 986-0690.

More information about the National Register of Historic Places process is online at www.oregonheritage.org (click on “National Register” at left of page).

SALEM, Ore. – The Local Government Grant Program Advisory Committee will meet June 18-20 at the Comfort Suites Hotel, 630 Hawthorne SE, Salem. The meeting is open to the public.

On the agenda: Local Government Grant Program (LGGP) applicants will present their proposed projects to the committee for review. The committee will evaluate and score all applications and create a priority ranking list of projects to be funded. The priority ranking list will be forwarded to the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission for final review and approval.

Meeting times for each day:

• June 18: 11:20 a.m. – 4:20 p.m.
• June 19: 8:40 a.m. – 4:20 p.m.
• June 20: 8:40 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.

For specific presentation times, refer to the full meeting agenda online.

The LGGP Advisory Committee consists of 10 volunteer members who represent various constituents across the state. Eligible LGGP applicants include cities, metros, counties, park and recreation districts, and port districts.

The LGGP provides grant assistance for public park and outdoor recreation areas and facilities. The program was established in 1998 under the Parks and Natural Resources Fund. The program is funded by a portion of Oregon Lottery dollars and administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD).

For more information about the LGGP, visit oprdgrants.org.

Individuals who need special accommodations to attend should contact Mark Cowan, OPRD grant program coordinator at 503-986-0591or k.cowan@oregon.gov">mark.cowan@oregon.gov at least three days in advance.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is seeking volunteers for three upcoming vacant positions on the Oregon Recreational Trails Advisory Council (ORTAC).

Upcoming vacancies:

• Congressional District 1 representative
• Congressional District 4 representative
• Coastal representative (must reside in a county bordering the coast, except Clatsop which is already represented)

A map of Oregon’s congressional districts is online: govtrack.us/congress/members/OR#map

Those interested in serving must submit an ORTAC interest form by Thursday, Aug. 15.

ORTAC advises OPRD and its partners in the development and promotion of high quality, non-motorized trail systems throughout Oregon. Through public meetings and various trail programs, ORTAC assists in creating, improving and promoting a system of safe, sustainable trails for the well-being and enjoyment of Oregon's residents and visitors.    

ORTAC members review applications for state designated trails, may be appointed to a variety of other trail committees, aid in the development of the 10-year statewide Trail Plans, and advise OPRD on statewide trail coordination.

Ideal candidates will represent diverse communities and user groups. They’ll demonstrate strong connections to and knowledge of Oregon’s trail systems, land managers, and needs of the trails community.

Council members serve four-year terms and are eligible to serve a second term. The first terms for the above positions will begin Jan. 1, 2020. The council conducts four public meetings a year, each in a different region of the state. 

For more information or to obtain an interest form, visit the ORTAC webpage or contact Jodi Bellefeuille, ORTAC coordinator, at jodi.bellefeuille@oregon.gov or 503-986-0716. 

ORTAC was established by the Legislature in 1971 under the Oregon Recreation Trails System Act. The council consists of seven members, representing Oregon’s five congressional districts and at least two members from separate counties bordering the coast. Council members are appointed by the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission.

CORBETT, Ore. -- The Angel's Rest Trailhead in the western Columbia River Gorge has reopened. The trailhead was closed Thursday, June 6 in cooperation with the Multnomah County Sheriff, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and other partners to aid in the search for a cougar in the area and due to concerns about public safety.

Information about the response to the cougar incident is available from ODFW; contact Rick Swart, 971-673-6038, ick.swart@state.or.us">rick.swart@state.or.us or Michelle Dennehy, 503-947-6022, Michelle.N.Dennehy@state.or.us.

Trail visitors are reminded Angel's Rest can get very congested, especially on weekends. If there's no room to park legally and safely, either move to a different park or reschedule your visit. A mass transit option is available; see https://columbiagorgeexpress.com for details. Information on taking care of the Gorge and yourself as a visitor is online at http://readysetgorge.com.

Visitors can also use the Columbia River Gorge Visitor Guide brochure to help plan their trip.

Most Oregon trails are in a natural setting. While cougar sightings are rare, hikers can take simple precautions to reduce the chance of a surprise encounter:

• Stay aware of your surroundings. Keep those headphones and earbuds stowed until you get home.
• Travel with a friend.
• Keep small children nearby.
• Keep pets leashed.
• Hike after dawn and return before dusk to avoid the times when cougars are the most active.
• Carry a deterrent device within quick reach.
• Respect park warning signs or notices of cougar activity.

And if you do encounter a cougar:

• Stop. Stay calm. Don't run. Keep a hold of your pets and children.
• Appear large.
• Make noise.
• Fight back if attacked.

Visitors should promptly report any cougar sightings to park officials. More information about the animals is on the ODFW website: dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/living_with/cougars.asp

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BANKS, Ore. - Bike enthusiasts are invited to celebrate the Salmonberry Trail taking one step closer to completion 2 p.m. June 14 at the trail’s Manning Trailhead, near Banks. Improvements to the trailhead parking lot will be celebrated that day with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony and a free guided bike ride to L.L. Stub Stewart State Park and back.

The guided ride will be about 14 miles round trip and is open to families and riders of all abilities. It will be along a flat portion of the Banks-Vernonia State Trail, passing through rural farmland to the edge of L.L. Stub Stewart State Park and back again to the Manning Trailhead. Riders will pass over the Buxton trestle, a spectacular repurposed bridge that was once part of a working railroad.

Event organizers ask that riders please RSVP for the ride event online: bit.ly/June14Manning 

Representatives from the Salmonberry Trail Foundation and Washington County Visitors Association will lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony. After riders return to the trailhead, everyone is invited to continue celebrations at Hop Cycle Brewing, a local brewery and eatery in Banks.

The Manning Trailhead marks the easternmost point of the proposed 84 contiguous miles of the Salmonberry Trail. Improvements to the parking lot include safety enhancements, tripling capacity to accommodate more than 30 vehicles and installing permanent restroom facilities. The trailhead also provides access to the Banks-Vernonia State Trail.

The completed Salmonberry rail-to-trail project will link Washington and Tillamook counties, providing Oregonians and visitors with an accessible, scenic way to enjoy non-motorized, outdoor recreation between the Portland Metro area and the Oregon Coast. The trail’s first western mile, in Tillamook, was completed May 4 this year.

Learn more about the Salmonberry Trail project online: https://www.salmonberrytrail.org/

Manning Trailhead improvements were made possible by a unique collaboration between the Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust, Salmonberry Trail Foundation, Washington County and the Washington County Visitors Association, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD), Travel Oregon and the Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust.

View a map of the Manning Trailhead location here: https://goo.gl/maps/UV6XaPN3y8mSHMsf6

For more information about the event, contact Alana Kambury with the Salmonberry Trail Foundation at 541-326-9383 or Alana@salmonberrytrail.org.

Hiker at Minam State Recreation Area

ELGIN, Ore. – The campground at Minam State Recreation Area, near Elgin, will be closed June 14 and 15 while contractors perform construction work on the park’s campground road. The 22-site campground is expected to reopen by 6 p.m. June 15.

Park rangers are asking campers to vacate the campground by 4 p.m. on June 13 to accommodate the construction work. Campers can move back into the campground any time after 6 p.m. June 15.

Mac Freeborn, park manager, says the road construction will repair the effects of weather and heavy visitor use.

“Minam is a popular local campground and the campground road has some wear and tear issues,” says Freeborn. “These repairs should improve the road conditions and help prevent future degradation.”

Minam State Recreation Area is a first-come, first-served primitive campground located two miles north of Highway 82, near the confluence of the Minam and Wallowa Rivers. More information about the park, including maps, is on the park’s webpage.

Campers planning a trip to the area can choose from several other local camping options during the closure:

• Wallowa Valley Stay N Wash
• Wallowa River RV Park
• Hu-Na-ha RV Park

SALEM, Ore. – The Scenic Bikeways Committee will hold its quarterly meeting 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. June 19 in the North Mall Office Building, room 124A, 725 Summer St. NE, Salem. The meeting is open to the public.

On the agenda: a review of the new draft Scenic Bikeways Program strategic plan and updates from program staff and committee members. View the full meeting agenda online: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/BIKE/Pages/info.aspx

The Scenic Bikeways Committee is an advisory group for the designation and management of Scenic Bikeways in Oregon. The committee’s 11 members include citizen representatives, tourism organizations, local governments and state agencies involved in bicycling recreation or transportation. The committee is managed by Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD).

More information about existing scenic bikeways in the state is online.

Individuals that require special accommodations to attend the meeting should contact Kitty Weisman, scenic bikeways program coordinator, at 503-986-0631 or Kitty.Weisman@oregon.gov.

The Oregon Country Fair, a long-standing Oregon event, marks its upcoming 50th year with an Oregon Heritage Tradition designation by the Oregon Heritage Commission.

Other Oregon Heritage Traditions include the Oregon State Fair, Medford’s Pear Blossom Festival, the Pendleton Round-Up, and the Woodburn Fiesta Mexicana.

“The designation recognizes those traditions that have helped define the character of the state,” said Todd Kepple, the commission’s chair. “The Oregon Country Fair helps us celebrate Oregon’s counter culture, deeply rooted in the cultural and political movements of the 1960s and 70s.”

The Oregon Country Fair began in 1969 as a fundraiser for an alternative school. In 1970 the Fair relocated to its current site in Veneta, and in 1982 the OCF board of directors established a nonprofit organization. Over the years the Oregon Country Fair became a popular festival attended by tens of thousands of people annually, but still remains connected to its philanthropic history by raising and distributing funds to the community.

Today the Oregon Country Fair continues to serve as a marketplace for an alternative hand-made economy, a “trade-show” of alternative energy and sustainable practices, and a networking opportunity for people interested in living alternative lifestyles and social justice. With over 300 juried craft booths, 50 food booths, 20 stages of varying sizes, and a variety of educational and artistic opportunities, the public is invited to participate and create.

“What sets the Fair apart from other events is the degree of ownership and autonomy the volunteers have, the feeling of being an alternative to mainstream society, and a fantastic array of artistic and performance disciplines,” said Fair representatives. “Often people take what they have learned or felt from their Country Fair experience back to their own communities.”

The Oregon Country Fair wouldn’t be possible without countless volunteer crews who maintain the Fair’s site and run the event. The event adds to the impact of heritage tourism in Oregon and is estimated to generate $3 million a day for Lane County’s economy. Data from 2018 shows tickets were sold in all 50 states as well as multiple international locations.

The Oregon Country Fair will be held July 12, 13 & 14, 2019. More information can be found at: www.oregoncountryfair.org. The Heritage Commission will present the designation on Saturday, June 8 at the Lane County Museum in conjunction with the exhibit opening of “Fifty Years of the Oregon Country Fair.”

An Oregon Heritage Tradition must have been in continuous operation for more than 50 years, demonstrate a public profile and reputation that distinguishes it from more routine events, and add to the livability and identity of the state. A list of Tradition designations is available at http://www.oregon.gov/oprd/HCD/OHC/pages/oht.aspx .

The Oregon Heritage Commission coordinates efforts to solve statewide heritage issues through grants, education, and advocacy, and also promotes heritage tourism efforts.

UPDATE:  Previous headline stated the meeting is in Salem; this is incorrect. The meeting will be in Tillamook.

The Salmonberry Trail Intergovernmental Agency (STIA) will meet to discuss the proposed Salmonberry Trail corridor 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. June 7 in the Officer’s Mess at the Port of Tillamook Bay, 6825 Officer’s Row, Tillamook. The meeting is open to the public.

The meeting will open with a 90 minute work session for the board to continue the development of a long range strategic plan. Starting at 11:30 a.m., the group will cover these topics: an update about the development of the new Salmonberry Trail nonprofit; a draft agreement for potential trail partners interested in pursuing trail development along the Salmonberry corridor in their communities.

The proposed Salmonberry Trail is an 84-mile corridor that follows the Port of Tillamook Bay Railway and terminates in Banks. The proposed route connects eight cities and two counties, passing by the Oregon coastline, fisheries, farmland and the Oregon Coast Range.

STIA was established to promote and facilitate coordinated direction and guidance in the planning, development and maintenance of the multi-use trail.

For more information contact Dennis Wiley, Salmonberry Trail project manager, at 503-986-0723 or dennis.wiley@oregon.gov. Individuals that need special accommodations to attend the meeting should contact Dennis Wiley at least three days in advance.

Region map of study area

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) has initiated a study of a segment of the South Umpqua River for possible inclusion in the State Scenic Waterways program. The 27-mile segment is in the southwest part of the Umpqua National Forest, running between Camp Comfort campground and Tiller. The agency anticipates the study will take 18 months to complete.

Oregon law requires OPRD to periodically study rivers for potential inclusion in the waterways program. The process involves evaluating the river and collecting data, consulting with local communities and other stakeholders, and drafting a report for public comment.

OPRD follows these criteria when evaluating rivers segments for possible inclusion in the program:

• The river must be relatively free-flowing.
• The view from the waterway must be pleasant.
• The river must have outstanding recreational value.
• The waterway must be able to sustain substantial recreation.

River segments under study are not guaranteed inclusion in the program; if a segment is found to be eligible and suitable for designation, staff will develop a recommendation and plan that will go before the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission and the Oregon Water Resources Commission, who could ultimately send a recommendation to the governor.

The goal of the State Scenic Waterways Program is to celebrate the natural, scenic and recreational values of designated waterways in the context of current and future land and resource uses. Scenic waterway designations do not affect existing water rights, but designation does require landowners to notify OPRD of certain activities along the waterway.

Oregonians voted to establish the program in 1970 via the Oregon Scenic Waterways Act. Approximately 1,200 miles on 21 rivers and one lake have been designated under the program.

The two most recent program additions, a 14-mile segment of the Chetco River and a 13-mile segment of the Molalla River, were designated by the governor in 2016. A study of a segment of the Nehalem River wrapped in February this year and the recommended designation was sent to Gov. Brown. The designation is still pending her decision.

More information about the waterways program is available online.

The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission will meet for their third meeting of the year June 11-12 in Prineville.

On June 11, commissioners will tour Prineville Reservoir State Park and surrounding areas. The group will then conduct a training and work session 12:15 – 4 p.m. at the Crook County Library, 1475 NE 3rd St., Prineville.

June 12 the commission will convene an executive session 8:15 – 10:15 a.m. at the library 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 acquisition of 38 acres of private property adjacent to Smith Rock State Park. The undeveloped land is located by the southeast boundary of the park and contains a popular local climbing area along a 1,000 foot section of the Crooked River. If approved, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) would incorporate the land into the state parks system. The property is currently valued at $285,000.
• Approve acquisition of the Gleason Park property in John Day, adjacent to Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site. For OPRD, the acquisition would be in concert with the park’s 2009 Master Plan. The land’s value is still under appraisal; the final value will be presented to commissioners at the meeting.
• Approve acquisition of a small 3.23 acre private land parcel adjacent to Iwetemlaykin State Heritage Site, near Joseph. The property was flagged in the park’s 2009 Master Plan and its acquisition would ensure the conservation of cultural and natural resources associated with the park. The land’s value is still under appraisal; the final value will be presented to commissioners at the meeting.
• Approve $629,824 in ATV recreation grant recommendations from the All-Terrain Vehicle Grant Subcommittee. Grants would go to trail and facilities development, emergency medical services, equipment operation and maintenance, and ATV recreation planning.
• Open administrative rulemaking to update rules relating to the Oregon Natural Areas Program.

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 statement to Denise Warburton, commission assistant, at denise.warburton@oregon.gov.

Individuals needing special accommodations to attend 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.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department // NEWS RELEASE // May 23, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Chris Havel, Associate Director // Desk: (503) 986-0722 Cell: (503) 931-2590 // is.havel@oregon.gov">chris.havel@oregon.gov

Christine Curran, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer // Desk (503) 986-0684 Cell: (503) 510-6226 // issy.curran@oregon.gov">chrissy.curran@oregon.gov

Community objects to the proposed Q’alya ta Kukwis shichdii me Traditional Cultural Property Historic District

Salem, Ore. Thursday, May 23, 2019 -- The Oregon State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has determined that the opponents of the proposed Q’alya ta Kukwis shichdii me (Jordan Cove and the Bay of the Coos People) Traditional Cultural Property Historic District (District) in Coos County submitted enough objections to prevent listing the District in the National Register of Historic Places. According to federal rules for the program, if a majority of the private property owners within a proposed district object to the listing, the district cannot be listed in the National Register. There are 1,001 owners in the boundaries of the proposed district, and 696, or 70%, submitted valid objections.

The SHPO sent the nomination document to the NPS on May 23, 2019 for a “determination of eligibility.” In this process, the NPS determines if the District is eligible for listing in the Register, but does not actually list it. The SHPO expects the NPS to respond before early-July 2019, following a consideration period of up to 45 days.

The nomination document and all materials submitted to the National Park Service (NPS) are online at http://bit.ly/coostcp.

Additional comments may be sent to the National Park Service at:

National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
1849 C Street, NW (7228)
Washington, DC 20240

Or

By email to Alexis_Abernathy@nps.gov.

The Oregon SHPO requests that all correspondence be copied to the office at

Q’alya ta Kukwis shichdii me
State Historic Preservation Office
725 Summer Street NE, Suite C
Salem, OR 97301

Or

By email to SHPO.NationalRegisterProgram@oregon.gov">ORSHPO.NationalRegisterProgram@oregon.gov

The proposed Q’alya ta Kukwis shichdii me Traditional Cultural Property Historic District is a 20-square mile area that follows the general horseshoe shape of the Coos Bay Estuary. The District includes portions of the cities of Coos Bay and North Bend and Coos County. A Traditional Cultural Property (TCP) recognizes the cultural significance and identity of a living community. A TCP not only tells the stories of the people who have historically called the area home, but recognizes how the descendants of those people keep the traditional practices and beliefs alive.

The Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI) nominated the District for its cultural significance to the Tribe. The Tribes tribe’s continued use of the estuary since time immemorial to present is shown by archaeological sites, named places in Hanis and Miluk dialects of the Coosan Language, and the presence of prehistoric and historic burials of peoples at former villages and Native American subsistence sites.

The State Advisory Commission on Historic Preservation, a governor-appointed volunteer commission of people with interest and skill in Oregon history, first reviewed and recommended approval of the nomination in February 2019.

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Oregon Parks and Recreation Department // NEWS RELEASE // May 23, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS: Chris Havel, Associate Director // Desk: (503) 986-0722 Cell: (503) 931-2590 // is.havel@oregon.gov">chris.havel@oregon.gov

Christine Curran, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer // Desk (503) 986- 0684 Cell: (503) 510-6226 // issy.curran@oregon.gov">chrissy.curran@oregon.gov

Eastmoreland Historic District Nomination resubmitted to National Park Service, recommends listing

Salem, Ore. Thursday, May 23, 2019 -- The Oregon State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has resubmitted a nomination to list Portland’s Eastmoreland neighborhood on the National Register of Historic Places and recommends it be listed. Following a third review of the nomination, SHPO staff determined fewer than 50% of owners have filed an objection to the nomination. Had objectors been in the majority, the nomination would have stopped. The SHPO resubmitted the document to the National Park Service (NPS) on May 23, 2019.

The nomination document and all materials submitted to the National Park Service are online at http://bit.ly/eastmorelandhistoric.

Applying federal and state laws and rules, the SHPO determined that the total number of property owners is 1,988, with 956, or 48%, objecting to listing the District. An April 3 decision by the Oregon State Court of Appeals held that SHPO could not follow federal guidance to count trusts as owners without first adopting state administrative rules. Since the state has not adopted those rules, trusts were not included as either owners or objectors in the totals.

The State Advisory Commission on Historic Preservation, a governor-appointed volunteer commission of people with interest and skill in Oregon history, first reviewed and recommended approval of the nomination in February 2017. SHPO staff concurred, but were unable to accurately establish the number of owners, and submitted it to the NPS in May 2017 noting this problem. The NPS returned the nomination for further work in June 2017. After a court-ordered delay, the SHPO and Oregon Department of Justice staff worked on ownership questions.

During the SHPO’s second review, four residents in the Eastmoreland neighborhood transferred ownership of their four properties and created 5,000 new trusts, then registered objections for them as allowed under federal guidance for the program. The SHPO resubmitted the nomination in May 2018, noting that with objections from the new trusts, more than 50% of the owners objected to the nomination. The NPS returned the nomination again in June 2018, and directed the Oregon SHPO “to ascertain whether these trusts are valid and whether they have a fee simple ownership in the properties at issue.”

Applying the Court of Appeals’ April decision, SHPO did not count trusts as either owners or objectors under the current review. As an exercise applying federal guidance, SHPO staff also provided a mock count to the NPS that includes trusts, counting the 5,000 new trusts as one single objection for each of the four properties. Even with the trusts hypothetically included as owners, objectors would still have fallen below the required 50% threshold to stop the process.

The NPS will make the final decision about listing the district, and may review and sign the document immediately upon receipt, or may choose to allow additional time for further consideration, at its own discretion. Additional comments may be sent to the National Park Service at:

National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Eastmoreland Historic District, Multnomah Co., OR
1849 C Street, NW (7228)
Washington, DC 20240

Or

By email to ernathy@nps.gov">Alexis_Abernathy@nps.gov.

The Oregon SHPO requests that all correspondence be copied to the office at

Eastmoreland Historic District
State Historic Preservation Office
725 Summer Street NE, Suite C
Salem, OR 97301

Or

By email to SHPO.NationalRegisterProgram@oregon.gov">ORSHPO.NationalRegisterProgram@oregon.gov

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Saddle Mountain State Natural Area will be closed to public access May 28 – 31 for various maintenance projects in the area. The park is expected to reopen at its usual time on June 1.

Park staff will be working with a contractor to remove a dilapidated garage, repair park facilities and clear debris from the park’s access road and day-use areas.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) hired Warrenton-based Custom Excavating to complete the work, at a cost of $9,000.

More information about Saddle Mountain is on the park’s webpage.

TILLAMOOK, Ore. – The parking lot at the Cape Trail trailhead in Cape Lookout State Park will be partially closed May 24-30 because of construction in the area. Visitors will still be able to park in specified sections of the lot and on the shoulder of Cape Lookout Road. Access to the Cape Trail trailhead will remain open during this time.

The lot will fully close May 31; construction crews will be using a crane and other heavy equipment to install a new concrete vault toilet near the lot. Parking on the road shoulder will be prohibited and visitors will not be able to access the trailhead.

The lot and trailhead will reopen with full access June 1.

Cape Trail will be open during the entire project, May 24-31. Visitors that want to hike the trail on May 31 can access it by parking in the day-use lot near the park’s campground, and hike the 2.3 mile North Trail south to where it connects with Cape Trail. A $5 day-use parking fee applies.

More information about the park, including maps, is on the park’s webpage.

The Oregon Heritage Commission will meet via teleconference at 10 a.m. on June 3. A public listening room will be provided in Room 146 of the North Mall Office Building, 725 Summer St. NE, Salem. Its agenda includes approval of Oregon Museum Grants and approval of minutes. Call +1 (646) 749-3122 and use access code 725-625-509.

The Heritage Commission is comprised of nine people representing Oregon's heritage and geographical diversity who have been appointed by the Governor. There are nine advisory representatives from state agencies and statewide organizations. The mission of the Oregon Heritage Commission is to secure, sustain, and enhance Oregon's heritage by ensuring coordination of heritage initiatives by public and private organizations; advocacy on its behalf; education of the public about its extent and value; and promotion and celebration of its diversity. For more information, contact coordinator Beth Dehn at 503-986-0696 or Beth.Dehn@oregon.gov

The Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries will meet via teleconference at 1 p.m. on June 7. Its agenda includes approval of Oregon Historic Cemeteries Grants. A public listening room will be provided in Room 146 of the North Mall Office Building, 725 Summer St. NE, Salem. Call +1 (224) 501-3412 and use access code 549-452-845.

State law established the seven-member Commission to maintain a listing of all historic cemeteries and gravesites in Oregon; promote public education on the significance of historic cemeteries; and help obtain financial and technical assistance for restoring, improving and maintaining their appearances. For more information about commission activities, contact coordinator Kuri Gill at 503-986-0685 or by e-mail at i.gill@oregon.gov">kuri.gill@oregon.gov.

Commission meetings are open to the public and their agendas include opportunities for public comment. The meeting site is accessible to people with disabilities. Special accommodations for the meeting – including translation services – may be made by calling (503) 986?0690 at least 72 hours prior to the start of the meeting.

For more information about the commissions, visit www.oregonheritage.org

Park rangers at Champoeg State Heritage Area will assemble 4:30 p.m. May 26 at the visitor center flagpole for a short ceremony honoring persons who have died serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Staff will lower the flag while bagpipes will sound “last call.” The public is invited to join park staff for the annual ceremony.

For more info about the ceremony, contact ranger Dan Klug: 503-678-1251 or Daniel.Klug@oregon.gov

More information about the park, including maps and driving directions, is on the Oregon State Parks webpage.

S'more at The Cove Palisades State Park

Memorial Day is nearly here and for many Oregonians the holiday weekend is the start of their camping season in Oregon’s natural places. However, dry conditions are already present in many areas and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) reminds visitors to enjoy their campfires responsibly.

“Regularly reviewing campfire safety practices, even if you’re a seasoned camper, is a good habit to get in to,” said Chris Havel, OPRD associate director. “It’s especially important if you’re camping with children or folks that are learning about responsible outdoor recreation.”

Follow these tips for a safe and enjoyable campfire:

• Know before you go: research conditions for the area surrounding your campground. Fire restrictions may be in place at the park, county or state level.
• Maintain campfire flames at knee height, or roughly two feet high. This helps prevent ash or embers from becoming airborne, especially during the dry summer months. If you see wind stirring up embers from your fire, play it safe and extinguish it.
• Only build campfires in the existing fire ring in your campsite. Fire ring locations are carefully picked and park rangers clear vegetation around rings to create a safe buffer zone.
• Always keep plenty of water nearby to extinguish your campfire. To put out your fire, drown the flames with water and stir the embers to make sure everything is wet. The stirring step is important: ash and wood debris often maintain heat and embers unless they are drowned out.
• Beach campfires should be started on open sand, away from driftwood or vegetation. Use water to extinguish your beach fire, not sand. Covering the fire with sand will insulate the coals, keeping them hot enough to burn unsuspecting beachgoers hours or even days later.
• For propane fire rings, follow the same safety precautions you would with a log-based campfire. Propane fire rings should be placed in, on or directly next to installed park fire rings.
• Make sure everyone in your campsite, even children, is familiar with campfire safety. Always keep an eye on your campfire; many accidental fires are started because campers left their fire unattended for “just a minute.”

To reserve your stay at an Oregon state park, head to oregonstateparks.org.

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May is Wildfire Awareness Month. During May, the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal, the Office of Emergency Management, Keep Oregon Green, the U.S. Forest Service, OPRD and other federal, state and local emergency and response agencies are promoting programs and messages encouraging the public to work together in their local communities to prevent the risk of wildfire.

Two separate committees will meet to score and rank applications for the Preserving Oregon and Diamonds in the Rough Grant programs. The recommendations from the committees will be forwarded to the State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation for final review and approval on June 21 in Cottage Grove. Both meetings will be at the North Mall Office Building, 725 Summer Street, NE, and can also be accessed by phone.

The Diamonds in the Rough Grant committee will meet June 5, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in room 124A. Call in information is 1-877-402-9757, access code 4605348.

The Preserving Oregon Grant committee will meet June 10, 9:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m. in room 124A. Call in information is 1-877-402-9757, access code 4605348.

For information about the grants contact Kuri Gill at 503-986-0685 or by e-mail: i.Gill@oregon.gov">Kuri.Gill@oregon.gov . The meeting site is accessible to people with disabilities. Special accommodations for the meeting – including translation services – may be made by calling (503) 986?0690 at least 72 hours prior to the start of the meeting.