Baskett Slough By Anne Scheck The mysterious way that members of a flock of Canada geese died at Baskett Slough in Polk County can hardly be called good news. However, because trace levels of a rodent poison were found in one batch of the birds, the suspected cause of death can be considered unrelated to any water source there. That’s reassuring – the preserve is home to waterfowl and many other animals that depend on the nearly 2,500-acre wetland.
And it isn’t only wildlife that benefits from such wetlands – wetlands help maintain groundwater across the entire county, and ultimately, provide a drinking-water supply for cities like Independence, according to state water experts.
Though Baskett Slough continues to be protected as a vast
and healthy “wet prairie,” as it is sometimes called, the future isn’t so clear for wetlands inside city limits, which often go relatively unnoticed until they are eyed for new construction (See sidebar Where the Wetlands Are). A new federal rule revises the definition of “Waters of the United States,” by reducing the extent to which these areas are protected under federal regulations. Meanwhile, bills keep coming back to the Oregon state legislature that would make it easier for land with wetlands to be developed – a proposed answer for the state’s housing shortage.
Predicting the potential impact on Independence is difficult. Unlike its neighbors of Monmouth and Salem, it has no wetland inventory – although one is likely to be conducted at some point in the future, said City Manager Tom Pessemier.
Historically, the area that’s now Independence once resembled a marsh, noted Kristen Larson, executive director of the Luckiamute Watershed Council in Independence. “Swampbusting” was rampant by early settlers, who drained and
leveled many of the wetlands for agriculture, logging and settlement, according to city records.
But these wetlands – “sponges” on the landscape – not only provide valuable habitat to a wide variety of microbial, plant and animal species, they play an important role in capturing, filtering and storing water, Ms. Larson explained.
Within the Willamette Valley, approximately 57% of wetlands have been lost, and the valley continues to lose wetlands, said Bill Ryan, deputy director of Oregon’s Department of State Lands. A state-conducted study, which showed years of significant loss, was completed in 2010. But more recent trends aren't well documented, he pointed out. "I am looking forward to updating it," said Mr. Ryan, adding that a new analysis is likely to be underway soon.
Wetlands “recharge" groundwater through a gravitational cycle in which water seeps underground from the surface, replenishing the water table, Mr. Ryan said. They also store water following rainfall and are critical in reducing the effects of seasonal flooding. This is particularly important in floodplain areas like much of the Willamette Valley, he stressed.
In late June, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued a statement on the “serious and potentially damaging implications” of the federal roll-back on water oversight, which the Oregon DEQ labeled “a direct assault” on the Clean Water Act. The agency has vowed to fight the changes. And, at the Oregon statehouse, the coronavirus pandemic seems to have sidelined legislative proposals that would loosen restrictions for building on property where wetlands lie.
The Oregon Wetlands Conservancy, in a recent advisory, singled out the central Willamette Valley as an area that may be substantially affected by removing a requirement for a federal permit to dredge and fill some wetlands. So far, the Oregon DEQ has declined to provide further comment, but the Oregon Department of State Lands issued its own position following the DEQ’s, which states that Oregon law still applies -- but warns that the change reduces federal protections. In fact, this is seen as a welcome and long overdue move by some farmers in Polk County, who felt shackled by the rules. One property owner put it this way: “The change is a watershed moment in more ways than one.”
The case of 17 sick and dead geese at Baskett Slough gained national attention in April. The area, at highways 99 and 22, is well known worldwide by the scientific community as part of the Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The case has lingering questions, but only about the pathologic findings.
“The first batch of birds sampled had no detectable levels of zinc phosphide and the second batch had trace levels, which doesn’t confirm this as a cause of mortality but makes it suspicious,” explained Capt. Timothy Fox of the Oregon State Police, who helped investigate the case.
Zinc phosphide, which is deadly to rodents, often is applied on fields to control damaging vole populations, a common agricultural pest in the Willamette Valley that has “no real predation pressure” to keep its numbers down, according to wildlife ecologist Jennifer Gervais PhD, courtesy assistant professor at Oregon State University.
Geese are extremely sensitive to the compound, too, she said. “The same amount of zinc phosphide that will kill a vole can kill a goose – they, too, are grazers,” she added. “They’re perfectly willing to pick up and eat the bait pellets.”
Although potentially dangerous to animals, once the zinc phosphide enters water, it reacts readily and breaks down completely with time, leaving “no environmental contaminants of real concern,” said David Priebe, pesticide product regulation specialist for the Oregon Department of Agricultural.
And it isn’t only wildlife that benefits from such wetlands – wetlands help maintain groundwater across the entire county, and ultimately, provide a drinking-water supply for cities like Independence, according to state water experts.
Though Baskett Slough continues to be protected as a vast
and healthy “wet prairie,” as it is sometimes called, the future isn’t so clear for wetlands inside city limits, which often go relatively unnoticed until they are eyed for new construction (See sidebar Where the Wetlands Are). A new federal rule revises the definition of “Waters of the United States,” by reducing the extent to which these areas are protected under federal regulations. Meanwhile, bills keep coming back to the Oregon state legislature that would make it easier for land with wetlands to be developed – a proposed answer for the state’s housing shortage.
Predicting the potential impact on Independence is difficult. Unlike its neighbors of Monmouth and Salem, it has no wetland inventory – although one is likely to be conducted at some point in the future, said City Manager Tom Pessemier.
Historically, the area that’s now Independence once resembled a marsh, noted Kristen Larson, executive director of the Luckiamute Watershed Council in Independence. “Swampbusting” was rampant by early settlers, who drained and
leveled many of the wetlands for agriculture, logging and settlement, according to city records.
But these wetlands – “sponges” on the landscape – not only provide valuable habitat to a wide variety of microbial, plant and animal species, they play an important role in capturing, filtering and storing water, Ms. Larson explained.
Within the Willamette Valley, approximately 57% of wetlands have been lost, and the valley continues to lose wetlands, said Bill Ryan, deputy director of Oregon’s Department of State Lands. A state-conducted study, which showed years of significant loss, was completed in 2010. But more recent trends aren't well documented, he pointed out. "I am looking forward to updating it," said Mr. Ryan, adding that a new analysis is likely to be underway soon.
Wetlands “recharge" groundwater through a gravitational cycle in which water seeps underground from the surface, replenishing the water table, Mr. Ryan said. They also store water following rainfall and are critical in reducing the effects of seasonal flooding. This is particularly important in floodplain areas like much of the Willamette Valley, he stressed.
In late June, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued a statement on the “serious and potentially damaging implications” of the federal roll-back on water oversight, which the Oregon DEQ labeled “a direct assault” on the Clean Water Act. The agency has vowed to fight the changes. And, at the Oregon statehouse, the coronavirus pandemic seems to have sidelined legislative proposals that would loosen restrictions for building on property where wetlands lie.
The Oregon Wetlands Conservancy, in a recent advisory, singled out the central Willamette Valley as an area that may be substantially affected by removing a requirement for a federal permit to dredge and fill some wetlands. So far, the Oregon DEQ has declined to provide further comment, but the Oregon Department of State Lands issued its own position following the DEQ’s, which states that Oregon law still applies -- but warns that the change reduces federal protections. In fact, this is seen as a welcome and long overdue move by some farmers in Polk County, who felt shackled by the rules. One property owner put it this way: “The change is a watershed moment in more ways than one.”
The case of 17 sick and dead geese at Baskett Slough gained national attention in April. The area, at highways 99 and 22, is well known worldwide by the scientific community as part of the Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The case has lingering questions, but only about the pathologic findings.
“The first batch of birds sampled had no detectable levels of zinc phosphide and the second batch had trace levels, which doesn’t confirm this as a cause of mortality but makes it suspicious,” explained Capt. Timothy Fox of the Oregon State Police, who helped investigate the case.
Zinc phosphide, which is deadly to rodents, often is applied on fields to control damaging vole populations, a common agricultural pest in the Willamette Valley that has “no real predation pressure” to keep its numbers down, according to wildlife ecologist Jennifer Gervais PhD, courtesy assistant professor at Oregon State University.
Geese are extremely sensitive to the compound, too, she said. “The same amount of zinc phosphide that will kill a vole can kill a goose – they, too, are grazers,” she added. “They’re perfectly willing to pick up and eat the bait pellets.”
Although potentially dangerous to animals, once the zinc phosphide enters water, it reacts readily and breaks down completely with time, leaving “no environmental contaminants of real concern,” said David Priebe, pesticide product regulation specialist for the Oregon Department of Agricultural.
Sign at Baskett Slough FINDING WHERE THE WETLANDS ARE
There is a very specific way to identify and measure wetland. It involves two steps: determination and delineation. The former process is used to find the tax lots or land parcels where wetlands occur; the latter involves precisely mapping them.
Wetland delineation, and the process to obtain permits to fill in or otherwise impact wetlands, can be costly – and it can create conflicts between developers and environmentally-minded citizens.
This struggle has led some to accuse the state of "regulatory over-reach" in a time of housing shortages, observed Bill Ryan, deputy director of the Oregon Department of State Lands.
In fact, in most cases – though not all – there is a way to compensate for the loss of wetlands that stand in the way of proposed development, noted Paul Adamus PhD, the scientist credited with inventing many of the tools used in Oregon wetland analysis.
It’s a land swap and it works like this: a developer purchases credits from what’s called a “wetland mitigation bank,” usually a farm field at another location. There, the farmer stops growing crops and the field is restored to nature.
“For this to be allowed, the developer and the farmer must follow rules and a process prescribed by Oregon and the US Army Corps of Engineers,” added Dr. Adamus, chief executive officer of Corvallis-based Adamus Resource Assessment Inc. -- AS
There is a very specific way to identify and measure wetland. It involves two steps: determination and delineation. The former process is used to find the tax lots or land parcels where wetlands occur; the latter involves precisely mapping them.
Wetland delineation, and the process to obtain permits to fill in or otherwise impact wetlands, can be costly – and it can create conflicts between developers and environmentally-minded citizens.
This struggle has led some to accuse the state of "regulatory over-reach" in a time of housing shortages, observed Bill Ryan, deputy director of the Oregon Department of State Lands.
In fact, in most cases – though not all – there is a way to compensate for the loss of wetlands that stand in the way of proposed development, noted Paul Adamus PhD, the scientist credited with inventing many of the tools used in Oregon wetland analysis.
It’s a land swap and it works like this: a developer purchases credits from what’s called a “wetland mitigation bank,” usually a farm field at another location. There, the farmer stops growing crops and the field is restored to nature.
“For this to be allowed, the developer and the farmer must follow rules and a process prescribed by Oregon and the US Army Corps of Engineers,” added Dr. Adamus, chief executive officer of Corvallis-based Adamus Resource Assessment Inc. -- AS
NO WORRIES ON H2O SODIUM
In the latest drinking water report, the City of Independence listed sodium levels between 20-25 mg/L. The recommended level is 20 mg/L. Questions arose about the findings, specifically “What does the discrepancy mean?” Not a lot of difference, it turns out. It’s only a guidance value, and includes “a margin of additional precaution,” according to Joel Cary, chair of the Oregon Water Utility Council.
Municipal water providers in Oregon provide “sodium data” as required by the Oregon Health Authority in order to inform individuals who may have, for medical reasons, dietary restriction related to sodium intake, he explained. Often, this can be an additional concern for households which choose to install sodium-based water softening device, which can further contribute sodium after treatment, Mr. Cary added.
If they feel it’s needed, they can talk to their health provider. “That’s the very reason why we distribute water quality information to our customers and provide data upon request – to be transparent and accurate so consumers are informed about their choices,” he stated. -- AS
In the latest drinking water report, the City of Independence listed sodium levels between 20-25 mg/L. The recommended level is 20 mg/L. Questions arose about the findings, specifically “What does the discrepancy mean?” Not a lot of difference, it turns out. It’s only a guidance value, and includes “a margin of additional precaution,” according to Joel Cary, chair of the Oregon Water Utility Council.
Municipal water providers in Oregon provide “sodium data” as required by the Oregon Health Authority in order to inform individuals who may have, for medical reasons, dietary restriction related to sodium intake, he explained. Often, this can be an additional concern for households which choose to install sodium-based water softening device, which can further contribute sodium after treatment, Mr. Cary added.
If they feel it’s needed, they can talk to their health provider. “That’s the very reason why we distribute water quality information to our customers and provide data upon request – to be transparent and accurate so consumers are informed about their choices,” he stated. -- AS
Forty-three dollars The CIVICS LESSON:
A Non-Negotiable $43 Tax Penalty
Nothing is certain, the saying goes, but death and taxes. However, when it comes to citizenship, taxes seem to be more certain than mortality. Barry-Lee Coyne, a Polk County resident, thought he’d fulfilled his civic duty by paying the remainder of taxes he owed shortly after he fell ill. He was placed under quarantine, and testing revealed he had pneumonia – not COVID-19. He knew he was making a late payment, but he requested that the penalty be waived. He was advised this could be done by the Polk County Board of Commissioners. At a meeting of the commissioners, he asked that they vote to abolish the $43 fee he was told had been added to the original tax bill. He submitted a letter from his physician.
All three commissioners said they sympathized with his situation. But, despite what Mr. Coyne had been told, they were powerless to intervene. It turns out an Oregon statute doesn’t give county commissioners the authority to provide tax-penalty relief. Mr. Coyne said he sought the exemption because every penny counts for him. “I didn’t want Mr. Coyne to be coin-less,” he joked, adding that he accepted the outcome with no hard feelings. “I guess this wasn’t their decision to make,” he said of the commissioners. “And I’m glad I could be here, anyway, because being able to do that shows I’m fully recovered.” -- AS
A Non-Negotiable $43 Tax Penalty
Nothing is certain, the saying goes, but death and taxes. However, when it comes to citizenship, taxes seem to be more certain than mortality. Barry-Lee Coyne, a Polk County resident, thought he’d fulfilled his civic duty by paying the remainder of taxes he owed shortly after he fell ill. He was placed under quarantine, and testing revealed he had pneumonia – not COVID-19. He knew he was making a late payment, but he requested that the penalty be waived. He was advised this could be done by the Polk County Board of Commissioners. At a meeting of the commissioners, he asked that they vote to abolish the $43 fee he was told had been added to the original tax bill. He submitted a letter from his physician.
All three commissioners said they sympathized with his situation. But, despite what Mr. Coyne had been told, they were powerless to intervene. It turns out an Oregon statute doesn’t give county commissioners the authority to provide tax-penalty relief. Mr. Coyne said he sought the exemption because every penny counts for him. “I didn’t want Mr. Coyne to be coin-less,” he joked, adding that he accepted the outcome with no hard feelings. “I guess this wasn’t their decision to make,” he said of the commissioners. “And I’m glad I could be here, anyway, because being able to do that shows I’m fully recovered.” -- AS
Light Pole in Question INDY HOP: A Light Pole That Needs a New Home
Does Independence have its own version of Don Quixote? In this case, it isn’t a windmill but a streetlight pole that’s being fought. An Independence resident wants the one by his house moved. It seemed to surprise some city councilors recently when Jim Wixson showed up at a council meeting to ask if the city could move the streetlight situated near his driveway.
The tall, wind-withstanding pole is at the base of where he drives in and out, which "impedes access," he said. City staff said they would take his stated plight into account. Mr. Wixson said he regarded his chances for the relocation as a long shot. "But I have not given up," he said. -- AS
Does Independence have its own version of Don Quixote? In this case, it isn’t a windmill but a streetlight pole that’s being fought. An Independence resident wants the one by his house moved. It seemed to surprise some city councilors recently when Jim Wixson showed up at a council meeting to ask if the city could move the streetlight situated near his driveway.
The tall, wind-withstanding pole is at the base of where he drives in and out, which "impedes access," he said. City staff said they would take his stated plight into account. Mr. Wixson said he regarded his chances for the relocation as a long shot. "But I have not given up," he said. -- AS
E. Rene Delgado In COVID Crisis, Homeless Get Heroes
He’s a navy veteran who loves to take long walks. However, mobility has been a challenge recently for E. Rene Delgado, who often spends his time under the leafy boughs of a tall tree by the Willamette River. The limp in his leg comes from a broken shin, he explained, but his feeling of comfort comes from this special spot.
“I think this is where God wants me to be,” said Delgado, gesturing to the branches above him casting shade. Delgado, who’s called “Red” around town, is known as the unofficial spokesman for the homeless of Independence. Red has been homeless for a dozen years.
Figures for the homeless population in Independence, and across Polk County, are only estimates -- but the numbers keep growing. A day-long “point-in-time” study released last year shows a combined count of about 1,500 for Polk and Marion counties, a 20% increase over the previous annual tally. And the rise is expected to be even more dramatic this year, as measures to control COVID-19 continue to inflict a heavy toll on the economy.
“People haven’t returned to shopping (at) the locally-owned stores that were required to close during the lockdown and, when they do, they aren’t buying at the level they were before,” noted Lyle Mordhorst, who serves on the Polk County Board of Commissioners. “These businesses are the engine that make our communities run,” he pointed out.
As a result of this significant downturn, a different demographic is likely to face the need for assistance -- one that’s new to the county’s safety net, said Brent DeMoe, director of family and community outreach for Polk County. "They’re people who may not have experienced this situation before, and don't know how to access it," he said.
However, a new program that’s long been in the planning stages finally is launching -- and it’s one designed to put substantially more funding into efforts at solving homelessness. It’s the Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance (MWVHA), formed as a "Continuum of Care" organization with a strategic plan for Polk and Marion counties. The consolidation makes sense, according to DeMoe. Previously, Polk County was part of a 28-county group. "Now there's a groundwork for a two-county region," he said.
The aim is more federal dollars, particularly from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development – funding that potentially can be sought more effectively by the MWVHA. Will this help people like Red? When asked that question, Delgado shook his head. “I just don’t know,” he said. “Who does?”
In fact, nobody does – not yet. But the newest appointee to MWVHA board, Independence City Councilor Shannon Corr, is determined to see homelessness addressed directly and effectively. She formally agreed to take on the role at a recent city council meeting in Independence. “It was a difficult decision because I have a lot on my plate with a full-time state job and council duties,” she said. However, “if I can help, even in a small way, I think it's worth taking the extra time to do so,” she said.
As a result of the coronavirus, a large segment of an already at-risk population may be unable to stay in their housing, once the moratorium on rental evictions expires in late September, explained Jimmy Jones, executive director of the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency, a private non-profit that administers government contracts to reduce homelessness. ARCHES, which is part of the agency, is the largest housing assistance program in the region; It currently is receiving 200 calls a day from COVID-affected residents of Marion and Polk counties, to try to keep people in their homes, he said.
Homelessness has become a real possibility for people under financial strain who were able to make rent payments before, he stressed. Many people were living paycheck-to-paycheck, and costs of housing were taking far more than the recommended one-third of their earnings. When COVID-19 hit, "a lot of people were just left behind," Jones said. Unlike the Great Recession, this isn't directly affecting people with homes that have lost value or those with high mortgages that became nearly impossible to maintain – it is impacting people who already are barely making ends meet, he said.
Unemployment benefits have been hard to get for many who’ve found themselves out of a job, as businesses from bars to beauty salons shut their doors, Jones added. The crisis "laid bare" the striking differences between professions for those who could work from home and conduct meetings on zoom, and those who had to "keep showing up" for jobs that were considered essential but relatively low-paying, in stores like Walmart.
Jones estimated that homelessness will tick up 5%-10% over the months before a vaccine is widely available. "There are going to be long memories of this crisis for the working poor," he predicted.
In the meantime, County Commissioner Mordhorst, who is serving on the executive board of the MWVHA, said he believes Polk County has the expertise and structure to help handle the effects of the pandemic in the immediate future. The efforts of Brent DeMoe have been "pro-active and amazing," he said, citing “Gale's Lodge” in Dallas as an example of veteran housing that went from a mere concept to a full-blown reality in less than two years.
At the “Academy Building” in Dallas, near the city’s downtown, there are a team of people -- led by DeMoe -- who offer an array of free or low-cost resources, from providing emergency mental-health services to helping address unexpected financial setbacks. Even so, much more need lies ahead and “this can’t be over soon enough,” Mordhorst stated. As for Red, he’s been the recipient of community-based help over the years, he said, and it has made “all the difference.” --AS
He’s a navy veteran who loves to take long walks. However, mobility has been a challenge recently for E. Rene Delgado, who often spends his time under the leafy boughs of a tall tree by the Willamette River. The limp in his leg comes from a broken shin, he explained, but his feeling of comfort comes from this special spot.
“I think this is where God wants me to be,” said Delgado, gesturing to the branches above him casting shade. Delgado, who’s called “Red” around town, is known as the unofficial spokesman for the homeless of Independence. Red has been homeless for a dozen years.
Figures for the homeless population in Independence, and across Polk County, are only estimates -- but the numbers keep growing. A day-long “point-in-time” study released last year shows a combined count of about 1,500 for Polk and Marion counties, a 20% increase over the previous annual tally. And the rise is expected to be even more dramatic this year, as measures to control COVID-19 continue to inflict a heavy toll on the economy.
“People haven’t returned to shopping (at) the locally-owned stores that were required to close during the lockdown and, when they do, they aren’t buying at the level they were before,” noted Lyle Mordhorst, who serves on the Polk County Board of Commissioners. “These businesses are the engine that make our communities run,” he pointed out.
As a result of this significant downturn, a different demographic is likely to face the need for assistance -- one that’s new to the county’s safety net, said Brent DeMoe, director of family and community outreach for Polk County. "They’re people who may not have experienced this situation before, and don't know how to access it," he said.
However, a new program that’s long been in the planning stages finally is launching -- and it’s one designed to put substantially more funding into efforts at solving homelessness. It’s the Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance (MWVHA), formed as a "Continuum of Care" organization with a strategic plan for Polk and Marion counties. The consolidation makes sense, according to DeMoe. Previously, Polk County was part of a 28-county group. "Now there's a groundwork for a two-county region," he said.
The aim is more federal dollars, particularly from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development – funding that potentially can be sought more effectively by the MWVHA. Will this help people like Red? When asked that question, Delgado shook his head. “I just don’t know,” he said. “Who does?”
In fact, nobody does – not yet. But the newest appointee to MWVHA board, Independence City Councilor Shannon Corr, is determined to see homelessness addressed directly and effectively. She formally agreed to take on the role at a recent city council meeting in Independence. “It was a difficult decision because I have a lot on my plate with a full-time state job and council duties,” she said. However, “if I can help, even in a small way, I think it's worth taking the extra time to do so,” she said.
As a result of the coronavirus, a large segment of an already at-risk population may be unable to stay in their housing, once the moratorium on rental evictions expires in late September, explained Jimmy Jones, executive director of the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency, a private non-profit that administers government contracts to reduce homelessness. ARCHES, which is part of the agency, is the largest housing assistance program in the region; It currently is receiving 200 calls a day from COVID-affected residents of Marion and Polk counties, to try to keep people in their homes, he said.
Homelessness has become a real possibility for people under financial strain who were able to make rent payments before, he stressed. Many people were living paycheck-to-paycheck, and costs of housing were taking far more than the recommended one-third of their earnings. When COVID-19 hit, "a lot of people were just left behind," Jones said. Unlike the Great Recession, this isn't directly affecting people with homes that have lost value or those with high mortgages that became nearly impossible to maintain – it is impacting people who already are barely making ends meet, he said.
Unemployment benefits have been hard to get for many who’ve found themselves out of a job, as businesses from bars to beauty salons shut their doors, Jones added. The crisis "laid bare" the striking differences between professions for those who could work from home and conduct meetings on zoom, and those who had to "keep showing up" for jobs that were considered essential but relatively low-paying, in stores like Walmart.
Jones estimated that homelessness will tick up 5%-10% over the months before a vaccine is widely available. "There are going to be long memories of this crisis for the working poor," he predicted.
In the meantime, County Commissioner Mordhorst, who is serving on the executive board of the MWVHA, said he believes Polk County has the expertise and structure to help handle the effects of the pandemic in the immediate future. The efforts of Brent DeMoe have been "pro-active and amazing," he said, citing “Gale's Lodge” in Dallas as an example of veteran housing that went from a mere concept to a full-blown reality in less than two years.
At the “Academy Building” in Dallas, near the city’s downtown, there are a team of people -- led by DeMoe -- who offer an array of free or low-cost resources, from providing emergency mental-health services to helping address unexpected financial setbacks. Even so, much more need lies ahead and “this can’t be over soon enough,” Mordhorst stated. As for Red, he’s been the recipient of community-based help over the years, he said, and it has made “all the difference.” --AS
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