Lane County, Partners Lose $19.5 Million In Contracted Federal Grant Funding To Increase Community Disaster Preparedness -05/06/25

On May 2, Lane County received notification from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the $19.5 million grant to establish six resiliency hubs in communities across Lane County was terminated.

"This decision appears to be part of a broader, arbitrary review process that unjustly targeted programs vital to small, rural communities like ours,” said Oakridge Mayor Bryan Cutchen. “Our residents are now left without the resilience center that would have served as a critical lifeline during wildfires and smoke events. During a recent wildfire, Oakridge experienced the worst air quality in the world, underscoring the urgent need for this project. The cancellation of this grant puts lives at risk. The people of Oakridge deserve better. We will continue to advocate fiercely for the resources our city needs and explore every possible avenue to complete this vital project."

The grant was a collaborative project with United Way of Lane County; the cities of Cottage Grove, Florence, Oakridge and Veneta; Bethel School District; and Willamalane Park and Recreation District.  It would have created safe places for people, especially in rural communities, to go during wildfires or other disasters by:

• renovating six existing community facilities to turn them into places that could safely help people during an emergency.

• Building the capacity of local organizations to participate in planning and better serve their community during emergencies.

• supporting a diverse network of community members to be prepared to respond in an emergency and improve the resilience of their community year-round.

The grant was already under contract and funding allocated long before changing priorities at EPA began to affect the status of grants awarded by the agency. Local partners began working together to in 2023 and the sudden termination throws away years of hard work.

“In Lane County, we pride ourselves on working together to make our communities safer and this grant would have made a real difference in how safe people can be here during the increasing number of and severity of natural disasters,” said Lane County Board Chair David Loveall. “This is a loss for our rural communities in particular because they often are the most directly affected by wildfire and other disaster. All of our staff worked tirelessly on this project and will continue to do so, even in the face of such unprecedented turnaround of the government’s promises.”

Lane County was able to receive approximately $105,000 in reimbursements from the grant funding to help cover the cost of work since the program officially started on March 1, and a limited amount of supplies related to the grant project. None of the larger construction work outlined in the grant contract was accomplished.

Lane County is considering disputing the grant termination and has until the end of May to do so. The project partners will continue to work together to strengthen their relationships and identify other opportunities to work together to better serve people in the event of an emergency, including applying for funding if other grants become available.

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May 20, 2025 Special Election Ballots In The Mail -05/01/25

The Lane County Elections office has placed ballots in the USPS mail stream for the May 2025 Special Election.

Lane County’s 21 ballot drop boxes will remain open until 8:00 pm on Election Day, May 20, 2025.  Drop boxes are open 24/7. A list of drop box locations is included with every ballot.

“Most voters generally receive their ballots within a couple of days,” said Acting County Clerk Lorren Blythe. “The Lane County Elections Office is ready to assist voters with questions or those who need help casting their ballot.”

Voters can track the status of their mail ballot by visiting www.oregonvotes.gov/MyVote.

Voters may return their voted ballots in one of the following ways:

• Regular mail. Ballots must be postmarked no later than May 20, 2025 and received no later than May 27, 2025 to be counted.

• A 24/7 ballot drop box.

• Lane County Elections. Ballots can be turned in by May 20, 2025 directly to the Lane County Elections Office during business hours (open until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day).

Ballot drop box locations can be found online at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/elections.  

Voters with questions can email elections@lanecountyor.gov or call 541-682-4234.

About the Lane County Elections Office:

The Elections Office, located at 275 W. 10^th Avenue in Eugene, is responsible for conducting elections in Lane County.  The elections office manages voter registration, the processing of mail ballots, recruitment and training of election workers, and certification of elections.

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Commissioners Issue Statement In Support Of Immigrant And Transgender Community Members -04/22/25

Today, the Board of County Commissioners voted to issue a statement reaffirming Lane County’s commitment to upholding the Oregon Sanctuary Promise Act and supporting transgender community members.

Commissioners directed the creation of the statement in response to requests from members of and advocates for the immigrant and transgender communities. The statement was developed with insight shared during meetings with local community groups.

The statement recognizes the purpose of Lane County Government is to improve the lives of our community members. Every person in our community is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect. Every person in Lane County should feel safe to live authentically, enjoy public spaces, access public services, and participate in community life regardless of the language they speak, the color of their skin, their gender identity, or any other factor historically used to exclude people from services and community.

Lane County’s commitment is to:

• welcome diverse people into our community, including immigrant, refugee, and transgender people, and build our systems with all people in mind.

• uphold Oregon’s Sanctuary Promise Act to ensure immigrant and refugee communities do not fear local law enforcement and feel safe reporting crimes.

• not request immigration status of people seeking services, except as required by law.

• provide equal access to services and care, in the preferred language of the people seeking those services or care.

• provide accessible signage, public messages, documents, and forms in multiple languages.

• use every avenue permitted by law to support the State of Oregon in affirming the rights of transgender people of all ages to receive any gender affirming healthcare that has been deemed medically necessary by a qualified healthcare provider.

• uphold the rights of people to seek gender-affirming care in our community and not comply with any requests to seek, detain, or report people who come to our community seeking gender-affirming care.

• challenge federal policies that harm transgender people and agree to use every avenue permitted by law to assure equal access to healthcare, housing, education, and employment.

• update and create policies across Lane County to protect the rights of transgender people and immigrants.

Read the full statement and accompanying board memo online.

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Lane County Firewise Grant Program Open For Applications -04/21/25

Lane County’s Firewise Grant Incentive Program is accepting applications from residents in unincorporated Lane County beginning May 1 through 4:00 p.m. on May 30, 2025.

Firewise grants reimburse rural property owners for eligible costs related to reducing the risk of wildfire, such as clearing vegetation, replacing wood shake roofing, fire-resistant landscaping materials, noncombustible exterior siding, chimney spark arrestors, and more. Up to $15,500 in grant funding is available for each qualifying property.

Preference is provided to applications:

• from first-time applicants.
• to replace wood shake roofs.
• for dwellings outside of fire districts.
• for homes that burned in the Holiday Farm Fire
• from high fuels areas as mapped in the Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
• from applicants who recently received a letter from the Oregon Department of Forestry about the wildfire risk on their property.

People who have already received Firewise or Community Wildfire Risk Reduction grants are welcome to apply, but their applications will not be prioritized for funding.

Apply online at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/firewise. Paper applications are also available at the Lane County Public Works Customer Service Center (3050 North Delta Highway, Eugene).

Firewise grants are funded through Title III of the Federal Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Program - Section 601 of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. 

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Free Household Hazardous Waste Roundup In Lowell On Saturday, April 26 -04/21/25

The free Household Hazardous Waste Roundup will collect up to 35 gallons of household hazardous waste per customer on Saturday, April 26, in Lowell. Hazardous waste from businesses, schools, churches, government agencies or non-profits may be subject to disposal fees and those organizations must pre-register for the event.

When:  Saturday, April 26, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

Where: Lowell Rural Fire Station, 389 N. Pioneer Street

Who: All community members are welcome to participate in the roundup.

What to bring:

Up to 35 gallons of paint, household cleaners, lawn and garden chemicals, car care products, arts and crafts products, pool chemicals, fluorescent lamps and other household hazardous waste. Check labels for words like flammable, corrosive, poison, caution, and danger.

Please don't bring:

Empty containers, drums, radioactive or infectious waste, asbestos, pressurized cylinders, or explosives. Any empty containers can be safely thrown in the trash. For information about disposal of radioactive waste, asbestos or explosives call 541-682-3828 or 541-682-3899.

What about hazardous waste from businesses?

Businesses that generate small amounts of hazardous waste may pre-register to bring that waste to this event. Businesses must pay for disposal of the waste, but most can save money by using this program rather than hiring a contractor.

Electronics recycling

The Cottage Grove, Creswell, Florence, Marcola, Oakridge, Rattlesnake, Veneta and Vida transfer stations accept the following items for free during normal operating hours: televisions, computer monitors, CPUs, printers, phones and laptops.  Maximum seven items per day. No commercial or floor-standing copiers, parts or dismantled units.

Please call 541-682-4120 for more information about hazardous waste disposal for households or businesses.

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Are You Ready To Vote, Lane County? -04/14/25

Election Day is quickly approaching, and the Lane County Elections Office would like to encourage voters to register to vote, or update their voter registration, now to be election-ready for the May 20, 2025 Special Election. Voters in Lane County must register to vote or make changes to their registration no later than Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

“We want all people who are eligible to vote ready to participate in the May election,” said Acting County Clerk Lorren Blythe. “So, it’s really important to get registered by the April 29 deadline. For voters who are already registered it’s still a good idea to double-check your registration and correct any errors ahead of time – that helps us make sure the voting process goes as smoothly as possible for voters.”

If a voter registration form is hand delivered, it must be received no later than 5:00 pm at the Election Office (275 W 10^th Ave., Eugene) on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. If mailed, it must be postmarked no later than April 29, 2025. If registering via www.oregonvotes.gov, it must be completed no later than 11:59 p.m. on April 29, 2025.

Local ballots will be mailed starting on May 1, 2025.  To track the status of a ballot, visit www.oregonvotes.gov/MyVote.

Voters may return their ballot by regular mail, ballot drop box, or at the Elections Office. For ballot drop box locations, visit www.LaneCountyOR.gov/elections.  

Voters with questions can email elections@lanecountyor.gov or call 541-682-4234.

About the Lane County Elections Office:

The Elections Office, located at 275 W. 10^th Avenue in Eugene, is responsible for conducting elections in Lane County.  The elections office manages voter registration, the processing of mail ballots, recruitment and training of election workers, and certification of elections.

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County Mowers Are Rolling Out—clear Roadsides Help Keep Them (and You) Moving -04/14/25

<<News media - see Dropbox link in contact filed for file footage of Lane County mowers.>>

It’s that time of year again: Lane County’s mowers are gearing up to trim back tall grass and brush along rural County-maintained roads. But before the blades start spinning, crews need a clear path—free of signs, fencing, and other roadside obstacles.

“Mowing helps reduce wildfire risk and ensures drivers can see clearly around curves and intersections,” said Chad McBride, Lane County vegetation supervisor. “When signs, fencing, or landscaping show up in the right-of-way, it slows down the work, damages our equipment, and creates unnecessary hazards.”

To prep for mowing, County staff will begin removing obstructions from the road rights-of-way in the coming weeks.

“Election season brings a spike in illegally placed signs,” said McBride. “This year, we’ll be doing a cleanup sweep ahead of the mowers to keep things running efficiently.”

Here’s how you can help:

• Remove signs – Political signs, business signs, or any other type of sign don’t belong in the road right-of-way. Signs placed near rural roads should be on private property and behind any utility poles, sidewalks, or other public infrastructure. Removed signs will be stored at Lane County Public Works for 30 days before disposal.

• Clear rocks and objects – Rocks over 3 inches in diameter and fixed objects, such as decorative lights or posts, need to be cleared from the mowing area.

• Fix or remove old fencing – Fencing that has fallen into the right-of-way can become entangled in mowing equipment or block access completely.

• Trim or relocate plantings – Ornamental plants in the right-of-way will be mown low to keep vegetation in check.

By keeping roadsides clear, property owners can help reduce public costs, protect County equipment, and keep roads safer for everyone—including the crews doing the work.

In rural areas, the road right-of-way typically extends from the edge of the pavement to the property line (usually where fences are placed). In unincorporated parts of Eugene or Springfield, it’s the area between the sidewalk and the curb.

And a quick reminder for drivers: You may pass a mower on the left when it’s safe to do so, but always yield to oncoming traffic.

For more information about right-of-way maintenance, contact Lane County Public Works at 541-682-6900.

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ROAD CONSTRUCTION: Gilham Road -04/11/25

Road name: Gilham Road

Location: North Eugene

Begin Construction: At the intersection with Ayres Road

End Construction: At the intersection with Don Juan Avenue

Dates and Times: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. between April 14 and December 31, 2025.

Reason for Construction: Building storm sewers, water quality facilities, retaining walls, accessible curb ramps, sidewalks and paving. 

Alternative Routes: Detours will be in place and traffic will be controlled by flaggers.

• Gilham Road to Meadowood Drive to Sterling Woods Drive, to Gilham Road

• Gilham Road to Honeywood Street to Walton Lane to Torrington Avenue to Gilham Road

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ROAD CLOSURE: Office Covered Bridge (Westfir) -04/08/25

Road Name: Old Mill Road

Location: Office Covered Bridge (Westfir)

Begin Closure: MP 0.00

End Closure: MP 0.09

Dates and times: Saturday, April 19, 2025, 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Alternate routes: None.

Reason for closure: The Office Covered Bridge will be closed for the City of Westfir Easter Egg Hunt.

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ROAD CONSTRUCTION: Marcola Road -04/07/25

Work on the seismic retrofit of Hayden Bridge on Marcola Road has been extended through April 30, 2025. 

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