Now that the House passed a bill that can be sent to a conference committee, the real fun begins. We're fortunate that two of Oregon's congressional delegation - Rep. DeFazio and Rep. Blumenauer - will serve on the committee which holds its first meeting on May 8. Not only will transportation funding be on the table but the federal forest payments extension will be part of the negotiations since it was included in the Senate Bill (MAP-21). 

AOC is working closely with ODOT and the League of Oregon Cities to present a united front on major funding priorities:

• Continuation of federal forest payments
• Funding levels - we prefer the Senate version since it is more favorable with its funding level and formula for Oregon
• Public Lands Highway Program Funding which amount to $23 million in FY 11  Historically over half of this funding is spent on county roads
• Metropolitan Planning Organizations - The language in HR 7 preserves Oregon's existing MPO's
• Allowing an exemption for Oregon for any mandatory off-system bridge set-asides
• Public Transit
• Transportation Enhancement Program fund which wraps in recreational trails and Safe Routes to School
• Freight improvements

We hope the Conference Committee will reach an agreement by Memorial Day or early June.

The Environmental Quality Commission (EQC and Board of Forestry (BOF) held a joint meeting in Newport on Thursday to describe their approach to compliance with a settlement agreement, signed by Northwest Environmental Advocates, Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, to enhance protections of water quality along the coast. Three concerns must be adequately addressed. First, rural residential development's water quality risks from on-site systems. There will be new rules requiring time-of-transfer inspections of on-site systems. Second, new development generally that changes hydrology and increases erosion. A guidance document will be produced for a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Implementation Plan to address hydrology and erosion. Third, riparian conditions within forests that affect temperature of small and medium-sized streams. For this issue, the BOF will begin rule analysis under the Forest Practices Act to develop alternative and decision timelines, with the objective to establish riparian protection measures for small and medium fish-bearing streams.

Counties within the Coastal Nonpoint Management Area include Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook, Lincoln, Benton, Lane, Coos, Douglas, Curry, Josephine, and Jackson.

Under the federal Clean Water Act, the EQC/Department of Environmental Quality monitors and assesses attainment of Water Quality Standards, lists impaired waters, and determines TMDL Minimum Elements by locating pollutant sources within the watershed, estimating existing pollutant loading, and determining assimilative capacity. This will fold into an Integrated Watershed Plan with Point Source Permitting and Nonpoint Source Controls. The BOF/Department of Forestry (ODF) has jurisdiction over forest practices. Statute requires ODF to adopt rules reflecting available scientific information, with restrictions that substantially advance the objective to protect water quality while choosing the "least burdensome" alternative.

The deadline for the first round of applications has come and gone. A list of applicants may be available from OHA in the coming weeks. AOC will continue to monitor the progress of the application process and do our best to keep you informed.

OHA held two webinars aimed at county commissioners, officials and employees last week. There were a number of thoughtful questions and the webinar was thought by all to be a success.

Sample MOU Between CCOs and Mental Health Services 

Ready to lead your fellow county officials?
The NACo Presidential Appointment process is underway. The application form must be submitted by June 4 if you want to be considered for a 2012-13 NACo leadership position on a steering committee - or a leadership or committee appointment on a standing or ad hoc committee. The application form is available by clicking here.
 Contact: Karen McRunnel · 202.942.4238

SRS County Payments to be considered during the Surface Transportation Conference Committee discussion

Last week House and Senate Conferees were named to participate in the Surface Transportation bill Conference Committee discussions. The Conferees will be tasked with reconciling the differences between the Senate's two-year Surface Transportation bill and the House version that includes the Keystone XL Pipeline and a 90 day extension. There are 21 House members (12 Republicans, 9 Democrats) named as conferees. Two members from the Oregon Delegation, Congressman DeFazio and Blumenauer have been selected as Conferees. Mr. DeFazio indicated in a press release Thursday that the "conference will include negotiations over a temporary one-year extension of vital county payments for Oregon counties." The Senate designated 14 members (8 Democrats and 6 Republicans) from the Environment and Public Works, Commerce, Banking and Finance committees. The first meeting is scheduled for next week after the House returns from District work sessions.

Request to extend comment period on Northern Spotted Owl Critical Habitat Rule

At the Associations Board of Directors meeting Friday Jody Caicco from the USFW Service gave an update on the Northern Spotted Owl Critical Habitat Rule and the public comment process. An important component to the Northern Spotted Owl Critical Habitat Rule is the economic analysis being conducted by Industrial Economics, Inc., based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Board agreed to join with AOC to request and 90 day extension of time to comment.

BLM Planning for Western Oregon

The new BLM planning process for the O&C Lands is moving forward. Kim Titus, the acting Director for the effort briefed the Association Friday on the public meeting dates and locations starting May 16th in Medford and concluding June 5th in Portland. BLM will accept scoping comments until July 5th.