House Bill 2289 Passed by the State
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House Bill 2289 Passed by the State

ByTom Atkinson

House Bill 2289 was passed by the State and became effective on June 11, 2021. It provides simplified planning and building processes for the rebuilding of nonresidential, accessory, and residential dwelling uses. APPLICABILITYThe bill is applicable to owners of properties on which structures or uses were destroyed or interrupted by the Holiday Farm Fire. Sections…

Saturday Market at McKenzie Bridge Offers Local Delights
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Saturday Market at McKenzie Bridge Offers Local Delights

ByTom Atkinson

The first McKenzie Treasures outdoor market was a great success, with vendors reporting good sales and interest from both locals and tourists. On a beautifully sunny Saturday, we took some time to check out the several stalls setup next to the McKenzie Station Pub (just across the road from the General Store and Obsidian Grill)…

OSU ‘After the Fire’ Webinar & Resources
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OSU ‘After the Fire’ Webinar & Resources

ByTom Atkinson

Over 700 people attended the After the fire webinar hosted by Oregon State University, Forestry & Natural Resources Extension’s Fire Programon June 16, 2021. If you were not able to join us, please watch the recording on our YouTube below: This webinar focused on factors authorities are using to determine when it is safe to return, what to…

Reopening park in Oregon town devastated by wildfire ‘is going to be a big milestone’
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Reopening park in Oregon town devastated by wildfire ‘is going to be a big milestone’

ByTom Atkinson

Source: NBC16.com BLUE RIVER, Ore. – The Holiday Farm Fire swept down the McKenzie River drainage and through town late last summer, driven by unusually fierce east winds. Blue River Park was lost to the flames along with much of the community. NBC-16 visited Blue River and interviewed Park Board member Alice Bonasio. “Blue River…

Thank You to Melanie Stanley!
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Thank You to Melanie Stanley!

ByTom Atkinson

On the night of Labor Day 2020, before packing a few of her own possessions in a car and escaping the rapidly spreading devastation of the wildfires that were coming towards Blue River, Melanie Stanley made sure she warned as many of her neighbors as she could. That involved physically knocking on people’s doors, as…

New Holiday Farm Fire Permit Navigator Appointed to Help Survivors
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New Holiday Farm Fire Permit Navigator Appointed to Help Survivors

ByTom Atkinson

Lane County’s Land Management Division has just announced that Marianne Nolte has been selected to fill Lane County’s new “Holiday Farm Fire Permit Navigator” position.  This is an important new function within the Land Management Division – and as the name implies the Permit Navigator position was created with the singular mission of assisting Holiday…

Debris Management Task Force Update
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Debris Management Task Force Update

ByTom Atkinson

Source: DebrisCleanupNews.com General Operation Updates As work continues to help keep wildfire-impacted communities safe, the independent arborist hired to review the state-led hazard tree process found that the operation is sound. The independent arborist contractor, Galen Wright, brought more than thirty years of Pacific Northwest arboriculture and forestry experience to his review, including expertise in…

McKenzie River Trust Gearing up for In-Stream Restoration at Finn Rock Reach!
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McKenzie River Trust Gearing up for In-Stream Restoration at Finn Rock Reach!

ByTom Atkinson

Source: McKenzieRiver.org We are working to improve fish and wildlife habitat on the middle-McKenzie River. In-stream restoration can look messy and is often misunderstood.  McKenzie River Trust staff will be presenting on how the project has been designed, what the project will look like during restoration and the expected ecological benefits for fish and wildlife….

EWEB Commissioners to Hold Upriver Meeting June 15
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EWEB Commissioners to Hold Upriver Meeting June 15

ByTom Atkinson

Source: EWEB.org On June 15, EWEB Commissioners will host a series of presentations for McKenzie Valley customers along with a general question and answer session. The presentations will begin at 6 p.m. at the McKenzie Fire & Rescue Training Center in Leaburg. The meeting will take place rain or shine. This meeting is for the…

Rain for the McKenzie Valley
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Rain for the McKenzie Valley

ByTom Atkinson

It is cool and wet here in Blue River today and the forecast promises more welcome rain over the next few days. To keep track of the wet weather check out Oregon Emergency Management’s excellent real-time, interactive weather map here links also in their Facebook post below. Enjoy the cool and wet while it lasts…