| ||
 |
||
| Wetland restoration on 100-year-old farm garners State Land Board award | ||
| 04/10/2007 | ||
|
For immediate release 07-13 More information: Julie Curtis, State Lands – 503-378-3805, ext. 298 Eric Riley, Douglas Soil and Water Conservation District – 541-957-5061 Henry and Norma Booke – 541-745-9091 Landowners praised for voluntary efforts on Wilcox Family Farm
In presenting the 2006 Wetland Award, Governor Ted Kulongoski, chair of the Land Board, said, “This voluntary wetland restoration is significant, as it grew out of the Bookes’ personal interest in restoring their land along Calapooia Creek to improve water quality and provide habitat for fish and wildlife. They did it because it was the right thing to do for the environment.” Norma Booke, currently living in Corvallis, grew up on the farm, which was named an Oregon Century Farm in 1965. She said the project enabled her and her husband to restore a portion of the property back to its pre-farm wetland condition. The Bookes worked with the Douglas Soil and Water Conservation District on the plan for the ranch. The 26-acre project increases stream-flow in the creek by reducing the amount of water used for irrigation in the summer months. It also provides a habitat sanctuary for wildlife throughout the year, said Eric Riley, project manager, noting “the site has become a home to resident and migrating waterfowl, neo-tropical migrating birds, and a host of native mammals.” “We've wanted to return water to the Calapooia in the summer for some time,” said Norma Booke. "Cost-sharing and funding arranged through the Douglas Soil and Water Conservation District, the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, US Fish & Wildlife Service, BLM, and Oregon Water Trust, helped us accomplish that." The State Land Board Awards were created in 2003 to promote and recognize responsible, sustainable stewardship of natural resources. To be eligible, stream and wetland projects must have received a removal-fill permit from the Oregon Department of State Lands and must meet or exceed all permit conditions. The State Land Board consists of Governor Theodore Kulongoski, Secretary of State Bill Bradbury and State Treasurer Randall Edwards. The Department of State Lands administers diverse natural and fiscal resources. Many of the resources generate revenue for the Common School Fund, such as state-owned rangelands and timberlands, waterway leases, estates for which no will or heirs exist, and unclaimed property. Twice a year, the agency distributes fund investment earnings to support K-12 public schools. The agency also administers Oregon’s Removal-Fill Law, which requires people removing or filling certain amounts of material in waters of the state to obtain a permit. ####
|
||
