There was no resolution regarding the association of
watershed councils. Issue will be revisited in March.
Rick Bastach from the Willamette Restoration Initiative (WRI) presented a
synopsis of the newly released Strategy for implementation of the Oregon Plan in
the Willamette. This strategy is available for viewing on the WRI website
at http://www.oregonwri.org/basin_strat.html
The strategy does not currently incorporate watershed
council's action plans or watershed assessments, though Mr. Bastach agreed
this was essential. Executive Orders 98-18 and 99-17 instructed
the Willamette Restoration Initiative to develop recommendations for a
comprehensive and integrated Willamette Restoration Strategy to:
1. protect and improve fish and wildlife
habitat,
2. enhance water quality, and
3. properly manage floodplains --all
within the context of growth and human habitation.
To see the results please visit the WRI website mentioned above, or contact
Sandra Coveny to borrow the council's hard copy.
The watersheds councils of the Willamette will sustain huge budget cuts in
the next biennium, beginning July 1, 2001. The MRWC will have funds
for a coordinator, but must raise additional funds for operations and
overhead. The steering committee and Coordinator will work on a
fundraising strategy for raising essential operating costs.
Council members are asked to consider making a tax-deductible donation to
the watershed council (it is tax season!). If you are interested in
sending in your tax-deductible donation to help sustain the council office,
please send a check, made payable to "Marys River Watershed
Council". To:
MRWC
PO Box 1041
Corvallis, OR 97339
You will receive a letter in return with our tax ID number. Our goal
for the next biennium is to compensate for our $29,088 shortfall
($14,544 per year) by generating support from members and local businesses.
So far we have raised $3,900 for operational expenses for the first year.
If you are interested in seeing the budget, contact Sandra Coveny at
758-7597 or MRWC@peak.org for a copy.
Council members are also asked to volunteer for the newly forming
fundraising committee if they have prior fundraising experience or wish to
learn! For more information contact Sandra Coveny at 758-7597 or
MRWC@peak.org