Working
towards healthy communities
and
creeks from headwaters to the bay
SBWC
COORDINATOR’S REPORT
Janelle St. Pierre,
Coordinator
January 2007
Coordinator Activities
Year in Review Slide Show: Thanks to everyone who joined us for our end of the year slide show and potluck. It was nice to end the year with good food and good company. The slide show is available on CD (it’s a huge file with all the pictures). Let me know if you would like a copy.
Projects Under Development: The council has been invited to submit a full proposal to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for the Oregon Governor’s Fund for the Environment. We are proposing to partner with the Columbia SWCD and OSU extension to offer workshops, educational brochures and information, and assistance with natural area management for people that live next to creeks and wetlands. We will hear back about this proposal at the end of April.
The Council also partnered with the Columbia SWCD and NRCS to develop a grant that will provide project resources for landowners with smaller properties that are often not eligible for other funding sources. We should hear back about this proposal in the next month. We are also looking forward to starting a knotweed control project with the SWCD this year. The SWCD also submitted an additional grant request to build on this effort.
South Scappoose Creek Project: The Council needs to come up with $2,500 in cash match (by the end of February) in order to utilize a $5,000 grant from the Jubitz foundation. The Watershed Council proposes to work with the City of Scappoose to identify issues of concern on South Scappoose Creek and come up with restoration project options that will help to create an ecologically functional creek corridor through the City of Scappoose. The Council proposes to utilize the funds to support the community outreach portion of this project. The council plans to conduct several community meetings, create outreach materials and maps, work with individual landowners, and create restoration plans for key pieces of property.
Willamette Coordinator’s Update: At the Willamette Coordinator’s meeting in December, we received an update on state level budget recommendations from the Governor’s office. Watershed council support was recommended at the current level of funding. The OWEB board may be able to allocate additional support funding for both councils and conservation districts. Grant funding for projects will increase, primarily due to an increase in lottery funds. Overall, the OWEB budget was recommended for a 22% increase- a hopeful sign for conservation groups.
Council Support Grant: The grant for the 2007-2009 biennium was submitted for the December 15th deadline. This is a competitive state-wide grant. We should receive feedback sometime in March.
Lower Columbia Salmon Recovery Plan Meeting: The next meeting is scheduled January 16 in the Portland/Troutdale area. This is an all day meeting that is open to the public, let me know if you want more information. I will attend the meeting.