Wednesday January 3, 2023 | Volume 148, Issue 01
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Plan could IN THEIR OWN WORDS: increase Leaders look back on 2023, logging in Polk County share what’s ahead for 2024 Update might mean more logging on state forest land By DON CURRIE Itemizer-Observer
A new plan to manage state forest land in Oregon could give a boost to Polk County’s share of logging profits. Polk County’s average annual share of the logging profits would increase from the current 10-year average of $136,000 to about $700,000, according to new models created by the Oregon Department of Forestry. Fewer restrictions on the 6,000 acres of state forest land, mostly in the southwest portion of the county, would allow more logging. While welcome, the additional money would not be transformational for the county, Polk County Commissioner Craig Pope said. An extra $600,000 would go into the general fund of a $124-million annual budget. The timber money is traditionally spent on transportation, specifically industrial roads, Pope said, which in large part are roads used by logging and timber-based industries. But Pope is skeptical of the estimates. “I don’t believe the numbers,” he said. “We can’t take any of this to the bank.”
How we got here
The new estimates are part of a process intended to change management of state forest lands in Oregon. The lands total about 630,000 acres and are spread throughout 14 counties. Currently, those forest lands are governed by the Northwest Forest Management Plan, which was created in 2010 and puts restrictions on how and where logging can occur. Under that plan, about 242 million board feet of wood is harvested from those lands in a year. Counties collect about $56 million in revenue annually. Clatsop County ($18.8 million) and Tillamook County ($14.8 million) earn the most money from the timber sales. The proposed Western Oregon State Forest Habitat Conservation Plan would revamp the way the forests are managed, in particular See PLAN, page A7
With a new year upon us, what better time to reflect upon the year that was and what still lies ahead? However, this go around, we asked leaders within Polk County to weigh in on their most memorable moments and accomplishments within their organization. From state politics and academia to projects on main street, here are the voices that shape your community.
Partnerships helped Polk County’s 2023 successes By JEREMY GORDON Polk County Commissioner
As we bid farewell to 2023, we reflect on a year that offered so many opportunities for collaboration and shared accomplishment. It is a privilege to highlight some of this work in the areas of economic development and infrastructure, public safety, and community services. The pandemic revealed a glaring need for our rural residents and families to access reliable, high-speed broadband service. Polk County sub-granted federal funds to Alyrrica Networks who constructed 11 new towers to date serving more than 770 new households and counting - 240 of those customers came online See 2024, page A4
Dallas High School expands online academy attracted a variety of students needing instruction beyond in-person. “We’re seeing students who strugAfter a successful launch, Dallas gle with anxiety in the classroom, High School is ready to expand its struggle with personal management Online Dragon Academy in the new they either have in relationships with year. Assistant Principal Shannon Ritter each other or not learning well in classroom setting while striving to told the school board at recent premeet their needs at their own pace,” sentation on the program that an online option has grown in popularity White said. Additionally, the online program while COVID-19 shuttered in-person has served students who have missed learning. classtime due to medical reasons, “We’ve noticed a huge shift since such as surgery, and can’t be there the pandemic, and during the return in person, some with chronic needs, to school, that has been growing for others with sporadic interrupdecades that students and families tions, including homelessness and are demanding more personalized, flexible and engaging learning expe- parenthood. “Last year, three parents graduriences,” Ritter said. ated. They got to carry their babies Dallas worked with Sequoia across the stage as they graduated,” Academy out of Silver Falls and White said. “We were able to meet Willamette Connections Academy those needs, adapting to in-person in Scio to set up their own Dragon and at-home needs.” Academy. So far, Dragon Academy She said this year, Dragon has served 118 students, 61 full time. Academy has four dads enrolled, Jennie White, program facilitator, told the board the online program has adding one of the moms who By DAVID HAYES Itemizer-Observer
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
Dallas High School students enrolled in the Dragon Academy Online get some additional in-classroom instruction time. graduated last year has allowed the dad to return and enroll in the program. The overall mission of Dragon Academy is to meet the diverse needs of students while helping them
obtain a diploma to enter the community with skills necessary to be successful. See ONLINE, page A8
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