Teresa Dixon attended the regular meeting of the Harney County Court on Feb. 21 to discuss the draft Malheur National Forest Facilities Master Plans.

A Facility Master Plan is an inventory of the recreation, fire, administration, and other facilities located on a national forest. Forests use these documents to help examine their needs for facilities. These plans are also used to document deferred maintenance, decommissions, and acquisition needs. They can also be used to help acquire additional funds from the region and Washington offices for large projects.

“This is not something that we normally come to the public with. The forest doesn’t have to, but the Malheur really does want to come to the public with these things because this is your forest. We want your guys’ input on it,” Dixon said, acknowledging that many of forest’s facilities have been in place for generations.

The draft Facility Master Plan and draft Recreation Facility Master Plan can be found online at www.fs.usda.gov/malheur

The public was encouraged to submit comments during meetings held Feb. 22 in Burns and Feb. 20 in Grant County.

Comments will continue to be accepted until March 23 at 4:30 p.m. They can be mailed to Malheur National Forest c/o Teresa Dixon, P.O. Box 909, John Day, OR 97845; emailed to teresaldixon@fs.fed.us; or faxed to Teresa Dixon at 541-575-3015. Comment forms can be found online at www.fs.usda.gov/malheur

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Harney County Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) Coordinator Steph Bonson attended the meeting to provide an annual report.

Bonson explained that the CWMA isn’t a legal entity or an actual agency itself. Instead, it’s a cooperative board of agencies. Members bring their project ideas to the CWMA board, and the board decides which projects to undertake. Bonson’s role is to help agencies execute the chosen projects.

CWMA highlights for 2017 include treating noxious weeds, seeding, providing public education, creating an inventory of the Medusahead infestation in and around the Drewsey/Otis Valley area, and applying for a grant to treat pepperweed in the Diamond Valley area.

“The CWMA and its partners are working together with the goal of educating the public about weed management as well as limiting the spread of Medusahead and other noxious weeds, while encouraging growth of desirable vegetation,” Bonson concluded.

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Becky Cunningham provided an annual report for Rimrock Recycling.

She said about 40 bins were distributed to merchants for recycling cardboard, which raised the cardboard recycling rate by about 33 percent. She also noted that 56 refrigerators were recycled, and Rimrock staff were trained in twine and pesticide handling.

However, Cunningham said recycling rates will drop this year due to changes in the market.

She explained that, “China controls the market, and they absolutely said, ‘If your product isn’t clean and perfect, we’re not taking it.’ And the U.S. has not stepped up with the production to handle our own material.”

Cunningham added that commingled recycling was discontinued at C&B Sanitary Service, explaining that, “We don’t have the manpower or the market to move that material.”

Harney County Commissioner Patty Dorroh asked whether counties in urban areas are more able to sustain themselves.

Cunningham replied, “No, they’re all shutting down.”

Dorroh also asked whether the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will change any of its requirements.

“Nobody has a clue what DEQ is going to do,” Cunningham replied. “This is pretty abrupt.”

Rick Paul suggested that Rimrock teach the public to buy products that are easier to recycle.

Rimrock is currently educating the public about the increase in $0.10-deposit products.

Harney County Judge Pete Runnels said he appreciates Cunningham as well as Rimrock staff and volunteers.

Rimrock is currently open to the public six hours a day, two days a week.

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In other business, the court:

• was addressed during the public comment period by Paul Hyland who shared a photo of himself participating in a Mighty Oaks Warrior program, which helps veterans. For more information about the program, visit www.mightyoaksprograms.org

Hyland also requested that the court ask the Trump Administration to pardon the Hammonds.

Noting that he plans to revisit the matter, Harney County Commissioner Mark Owens said he wrote a letter almost a year ago, and he finally got confirmation that it was received.

Hyland also reported that he’s been in communication with the engineer for the bridge replacement project on Embree Lane.

During the county court meeting on Jan. 17, Hyland explained that fencing built in conjunction with the project is impeding his livestock’s access to water.

“I hope it works out the right way,” Runnels said;

• was addressed during the public comment period by George Heinz regarding the new Neighborhood Watch program, which will be working closely with law enforcement to help deter crime in the community.

The group will hold training sessions March 1 and March 3, which will be open to anyone who is interested in attending;

• received an offer to purchase county-owned land.

After Runnels reviewed the land sale process that’s outlined in Resolution 2017-09, the court agreed by consensus to deny the offer because it isn’t consistent with current county land sale policy;

• agreed to sign the Omnibus Intergovernmental Agreement with signatory Oregon counties that use Clear Ballot tabulation equipment to conduct elections. Counties that sign the agreement will help other signatory counties if they can’t undertake or complete election ballot tabulation at their own facilities;

• adopted Ordinance 2018-81, which establishes Harney County’s uniform fee schedule for various county departments and updates the fee schedule for the Sheriff’s Office;

• reviewed water use requests;

• received a letter from Presiding Circuit Court Judge William Cramer Jr. expressing gratitude for the new jury room and for repairs to the driveway across the street;

• noted that Owens would be attending the USDA Harney County Local Work Group meeting on Feb. 27;

• tabled scheduling its budget hearing meetings;

• will hold rural meetings in Drewsey April 3, in Fields April 30, and in Riley May 16. Members of each community will receive a postcard announcing the time and location of their local meeting.

The next meeting of the Harney County Court will be held Wednesday, March 14, at 10 a.m. in Runnels’ office at the courthouse. This will be the only county court meeting in the month of March.