May brings renewed focus on wildfire awareness during drought

https://www.kdrv.com/news/may-brings-renewed-focus-on-wildfire-awareness-during-drought/article_cd0575c4-c96d-11ec-83d6-3315975e75bc.html

MEDFORD — The Jackson County Domestic and Public Well Assistance Program offers up to $7,500 per person to owners who faced challenges with their domestic and public wells located in Jackson County throughout our severe drought in 2021.

On April 13, 2021, our State Governor, Kate Brown, signed executive order No. 21-08 declaring a state of drought emergency in the Jackson County area. This drought has caused issues with water flow and the concentration of particulates in water flowing from wells in Jackson County.

The program aims to financially assist the affected owners of domestic and public wells located within Jackson County to repair existing wells or even construct new ones.

CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPATION

1. The residential property was occupied by the legal owner as their primary residence during the 2021 declared drought, and the residence uses a domestic use well for residential needs
2. The residential property was occupied by a family member of the legal owner during the 2021 declared drought, and the residence uses a domestic use well for residential needs
3. There existed a legal agreement between the legal property owner and a renter of a property during the 2021 declared drought, and the residence uses a domestic use well for residential needs.
4. The well existed within a Public Water System and was registered as an active well for domestic use during the 2021 declared drought

And you have filed a Dry Well Report via one of the two options below:

1. The legal owner contacted the Jackson County Watermaster’s office and registered a dry well or slow recharge domestic well complaint during the 2021 declared drought; or
2. The legal owner completed a Dry Well Reporting Form on the Oregon Water Resources Department web page.

During the 2021 declared drought, If the legal owner did not file a well complaint but is or has experienced well issues after April 13, 2021, as a result of the 2021 declared drought, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Jackson County Watermaster’s office.

DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY

Financial compensation will be established based on the following criteria:

1. A complaint was made, or a Dry Well Form was submitted due to the 2021 declared drought.
2. The legal owner incurred financial costs due to issues with a domestic well as a result of the 2021 declared drought.
3. The legal owner is seeking financial assistance to address their well issues due to the 2021 declared drought.

WELL OWNER PROCESS

If you are an interested domestic well owner, you may obtain an application form from the Jackson County Watermaster website, OR the Jackson County Watermaster’s Office at 10 S Oakdale Avenue, Room 309, in Medford.

Jackson County Watermaster stated that you must complete this application and provide all the information and documentation requested to become eligible for financial compensation. Required information and documentation include a w-9, receipts/invoices and proof of payment, or estimate from a well driller, pump installer, or other professional, and any other supporting documentation you may have.

Submit your application and other documents by either emailing , or by mail or in-person to the Jackson County Watermaster’s Office.

JACKSON COUNTY PROCESS

Jackson County will review your application and all supporting documentation for completeness following your submissions.

They will determine if you meet the criteria and are eligible to participate in the Domestic and Public Well Assistance Program. Financial compensation will be awarded to qualified applicants on a first received basis, as long as funds are available. Funds may be taxable, so consider consulting with a tax advisor.

AWARD

By accepting funds, you agree to allow Jackson County staff access to the property to complete a compliance check as deemed necessary. The maximum award is limited to $7,500.00 per applicant, property owner, or public water system.

1. $7,500.00 toward new well construction due to an existing well going dry due to the 2021 declared drought.
2. $5,000.00 toward deepening an existing well that qualifies under Oregon Construction Standards (OAR Chapter 690, Divisions 200 through 230) due to the 2021 declared drought.
3. $1,500.00 toward installing a new holding tank, meeting the requirements of NSF Standard 61, as a result of the 2021 declared Drought.
4. $2,000.00 toward treatment, including disinfection, Arsenic, Nitrate, Iron, and hardness removal; this includes well casing cleanout and reconditioning due to the 2021 declared drought.
5. $500.00 for hauled water due to a dry well during the 2021 declared drought.

ACCESS Assistance for sewer bills

Ayuda con facturas de alcantarillado

The Oregon Department of Transportation has placed No Parking signs along the lot just south of the Shady Cove Welcome Sign.

The ban on parking there will be enforced by both the State and local authorities.

The Oregon Department of Forestry is has funding available to assist residents in reducing fire fuel loads on their property.

Please contact ODF at 541-664-3328 for details and a site inspection.

https://www.oregon.gov/odf/aboutodf/pages/grantsincentives.aspx

https://idyllwildfire.com/defensible-space.html

https://www.nps.gov/articles/what-is-hazard-fuel-reduction.htm

Here is the site that shows Alert Wildfire cameras throughout the West.

Scroll down under Cave Junction for all the cameras.

https://www.alertwildfire.org/region/oregon/?camera=Axis-CaveJunction

While Vestal Butte is not yet installed, it does say it is “Planned”.

Municipalities have not been hit yet with maintenance costs.

Here is the full list – https://caltopo.com/m/8FVVH

The City has changed the Ordinance regarding Weed Abatement.  It is now all year round.  It does not begin in May.

(See below)

Please DO NOT WAIT until you receive a letter from the City regarding your property.  This applies to both developed and undeveloped properties.  If your property is along a route that people may use to evacuate, the time to begin is crucially important.

The City has had the limb trailer up for a month and very few have taken advantage of this free and local service.

The Oregon Department of Forestry is also able to assist those facing hardship.

Letters have started going out and the CSO is beginning to seek out properties in need of fuel reduction.

Let us assist now in doing a survey of your property.

Please also remember to CALL BEFORE YOU BURN – 541-776-7007

Call City Hall at 541-878-2225 if there are any questions.

ORDINANCE # 304 – Weed Abatement

To assist in preventing wildland fires, the Mayor and City Council of the City of Shady Cove adopted Ordinance # 304, which replaced Ordinance # 301, and it became effective on January 1, 2022. This mandates that all weeds or grass be held under 10” tall all year round.  Also, blackberry bushes are restricted and any vegetation that is a health or fire hazard such as downed tree limbs, leaf piles, or other combustible items.

The City was at the mercy of a huge fire not that long ago.  We must prepare now for the future.  We are still in what has been called a mega-drought.  Lakes and reservoirs are at all time lows.

The City has partnered with many other organizations to seek out funding, including, but not limited to: Oregon Department of Forestry, Fire District 4, Rogue Valley Council of Governments, Business Oregon, and FEMA.  We have received a map showing all excessive fuel loads on properties.

We will be contacting some property owners in the near future to offer assistance from the Oregon Department of Forestry.

Please assist us now by beginning to get your properties in shape for what is looking like a very dry fire season once again.

Contact City Hall at 541-878-2225 with any questions you may have.

We are all in this together.

Thank you for your time and efforts.

ORDINANCE # 304 – Weed Abatement

To assist in preventing wildland fires, the Mayor and City Council of the City of Shady Cove adopted Ordinance # 304, which replaced Ordinance # 301, and it became effective on January 1, 2022. This mandates that all weeds or grass be held under 10” tall all year round.  Also, blackberry bushes are restricted and any vegetation that is a health or fire hazard such as downed tree limbs, leaf piles, or other combustible items.

The City was at the mercy of a huge fire not that long ago.  We must prepare now for the future.  We are still in what has been called a mega-drought.  Lakes and reservoirs are at all time lows.

The City has partnered with many other organizations to seek out funding, including, but not limited to: Oregon Department of Forestry, Fire District 4, Rogue Valley Council of Governments, Business Oregon, and FEMA.  We have received a map showing all excessive fuel loads on properties.

We will be contacting some property owners in the near future to offer assistance from the Oregon Department of Forestry.

Please assist us now by beginning to get your properties in shape for what is looking like a very dry fire season once again.

Contact City Hall at 541-878-2225 with any questions you may have.

We are all in this together.

Thank you for your time and efforts.