Newsletter - 7/18/21

Email:       SaveChehalemMountain@gmail.com

Website:  www.SaveChehalemMountain.com

Mailing Donations:  

Payable to Save Chehalem Mountain

15532 SW Pacific Hwy C1B#331, Tigard, OR 97224

IMPORTANT NOTICE:  WAG Holdings, LLC (18505 NE Jaquith Road) Application #G-18843 request to drill a well to irrigate over 20+ acres of cannabis is on a second hold at the Oregon Water Resources Dept.  The hold expired on 7/5/21. We are monitoring the situation daily, will keep you updated and are in contact with OWRD & Water Attorney. 

View application: https://OrdWagHoldings.  View Resident’s comments: https://OwrdResidentsComments

WATER RELATED: A PROPOSED HEMP FARM OFF HWY 240 RECEIVED WATER DENIAL

Oregon Water Resources Dept Water Right Application #G-18837 at 22745 NE Highway 240, Newberg (next to Chehalem Creek) for growing Hemp was issued a Proposed Final Order denying the application because: “the appropriation will have the potential for substantial interference with surface water and surface water is not available for the entire period of use requested.” This application has taken another step towards closure ultimate DENY status.  For more: https://apps.wrd.state.or.us/apps/wr/wrinfo/wr_folder_image.aspx?snp_id=199700

WATER RELATED: “Oregon Governor Directs State Agencies to Conserve Water Amid Statewide Drought Concerns”

https://kpic.com/news/local/oregon-governor-directs-state-agencies-to-conserve-water-amid-statewide-drought-concerns

RESCHEDULED: COUNTY WATER TASK FORCE:  MON AUG 23RD 10:00 – Noon. This public meeting will be held in person (location to be determined) hosted by Yamhill County Commissioner Casey Kulla.  It is intended to identify problems and brainstorm solutions regarding usage of water in our area.  We have requested this meeting also be available by Zoom.  Stay tuned for more info.

Per Casey, “We will be dedicated to ground water discussion, centered around a presentation by Justin Iverson of Oregon Water Resources Dept. on groundwater quality and quantity, monitoring, water rights, the designations for different groundwater areas mean, and more. Please be prepared with questions, from “does my pond improve ground water supply?” to “can the county deny land use applications due to lack of water?” to “what recourse do I have if my well runs dry after others install new wells?”

1) DO YOU VALUE THIS COMMUNITY?:  If so, please volunteer to help.  There are a few of us who have been working to protect your homes, businesses and our community from the loss of water, fire danger and to spread the news of what all of us are facing with the increased demand on our water supply from cannabis grows in our “Limited Ground Water Area” aquifer.  We need your help to contribute around 10 hours a month in order for us to keep bringing you this newsletter and keeping you informed.  We will help guide you on what needs to be done. 

Email us: SaveChehalemMountain@gmail.com

2) IN OTHER RELATED NEWS:  Oregon House & Senate Pass HB3000.  Some important parts of this bill include: 

Section 18.c: Hemp enforcement

Section 39: Illegal Marijuana Market Enforcement Grant Program funding $750,000

Section 40: Enforcement of industrial hemp

Section 41: Marijuana or industrial hemp that is unlawfully produced is considered contraband and may be destroyed by a law enforcement agency

Click here for full details of this bill: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/HB3000/

3) WILD FIRE SEASON: Full Burn Ban in effect. NO AG Burning (slash, crops, field, stump, waste debris, branches, yard) Click here for more: https://www.tvfr.com/CivicAlerts/BurnBan

Did you receive a large packet in the mail from TVF&R?  READY, SET, GO!  Excellent advice was listed in the packet.  Also join TVF&R’s online presentations to learn about creating/maintaining defensible space around your home, forming emergency plans and preparing emergency kits.  Visit www.tvfr.com/395 to sign up for one of the scheduled Zoom presentations.  Dates: 8/19 at 7:00pm & 9/16 at 7:00pm.

4) YAMHILL COUNTY "MARIJUANA TIME, PLACE & MANNER REGULATIONS": volunteers are working with (3) YamCo Officials: Commissioner Mary Starrett, Planning Director Ken Friday and Attorney, Todd Sadlo.  The volunteers have provided (3) options or courses of action to take for a resolution.  There was a County meeting on 7/7 to discuss courses of action and we are awaiting the response from the County on scheduling a work session with the Board of Commissioners (to work out which option they feel they would be able to accomplish).  Almost every County in Oregon has adopted these safety measures which are designed to protect your home/business, your home/business values, quality of life, our community, the environment and the lives of First Responders.

OF GREATEST CONCERN: having a Regulation in place that does NOT allow flammable/combustible cannabis processing in rural areas.  This particular activity belongs in the safety of industrial zones with closer access & better infrastructure to fight explosions and fires.

JUST FOR FUN: A History of Yamhill County Road Names

https://yamhillcountyhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/YAMROADS.doc.pdf

WHAT IS….SAVE CHEHALEM MOUNTAIN?: 

A locally organized non-profit public welfare organization established to ensure that the Chehalem Mountain watershed area (see map on our website) provides the quality and quantity of water, environmental stability and fire protection necessary to support the homes/businesses, fish, wildlife, recreation, biological diversity, ecological values, public health and a sound economy.  We are the Residents & Neighbors of this community who are concerned that one industry can have a devastating impact on the entire aquifer & region.  

We are not against the crop of cannabis/marijuana/hemp and do not advocate for the removal of it.  We are concerned about the negative impacts this crop has already had on neighboring properties, the environment and on wildlife with respects to intense odor pollution, diminished quality of life on one’s property, high usage of water in a “Limited Ground Water Area” and an ongoing drought as well as legitimate fire safety concerns.

WE ARE IN FAVOR OF SAFE & RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS OPERATIONS OF THE MARIJUANA/HEMP INDUSTRY:

  1. SAFE: growing / disposal of harmful chemicals / waste water / used debris

  2. PROPER: government oversight and rules with inspections on all growing/processing operations

  3. ADOPTION of “Marijuana Time, Place & Manner” REGULATIONS: Yamhill County Commissioners/Planning Director & Attorney adopting these regulations. They are sensible safety guidelines designed to protect property values, quality of life, the environment/wildlife & the lives of First Responders. To date, Yamhill County has not done so, despite Residents actively working with them for over (2) years.

Please Donate toward Attorney Fees & Volunteer a little time.

We NEED your help!

THANK YOU


Originally Posted on July 18, 2021 by savecm

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