Jefferson County Commissioners visit Camp Sherman

Ten Jefferson County staff visited Camp Sherman on Wednesday, September 3, to "listen to the people."

The Metolius Recreation Association and Tourism Bureau hosted a meet-and-greet at Lake Creek Lodge to welcome Jefferson County staff.

After the meet-and-greet, the group moved to the Community Hall to interview three volunteer applicants for the Road District 18 Committee. Dave Opsahl, Doug Phillips, and Ellen Wood all applied, had attended road district meetings, and explained how they could help serve district roads. All three applicants later commented they were aware of the department's tight budget.

After the interviews Chair John Hatfield opened the meeting by addressing the crowd. The meeting was an opportunity for people to ask questions of the panel and express any concerns, special interests or kudos.

The nearly three-hour meeting began with residents expressing their concern that meeting notification was vague. No one knew why Jefferson County was visiting Camp Sherman, and felt they were therefore ill prepared to present concerns or issues to the panel.

People pointedly asked if they were deliberately vague in describing their purpose for their visit and were just there to check off a requirement of their office.

Commissioner Mike Ahern responded, "We want to go to these communities for public comment."

The initial notice started with the words "Warning" which further added to community concerns. The notice posted at the Community Hall stated it was a meeting about Metolius River Water Protection, which clearly it was not.

Commissioners said their departments did not issue the letters of invitation, but agreed it could have been better and encouraged people to add their names to their e-mail list.

Many applauded the work done by the county to date. Mark Foster stepped forward to say, "We are grateful for paved roads."

Linda Rose expressed what appeared to be everyone's concern, "We appreciate wilderness here, that we can feel nature is around us. It's important to keep the animals, keep the waters, keep the dark skies."

Camp Sherman residents expressed their key concern about House Bill 3298's definition of which areas specifically, as defined by the bill, were "Metolius Areas of Critical State Concern" (ACSC) and how it would be enforced.

"It's the Department of Land Conservation's job to write the management plan. It's not our responsibility or concern," Ahern responded.

Commissioner Jeff Rasmussen spoke to The Nugget the following day, September 4. "I just saw a memo today about a public hearing of the LCDC regarding the areas of critical concern. It said we (LCDC) will hold a meeting to adopt a hearing on rules in December.

"They are required to send a different notice than the one they sent originally," Rasmussen explained, "so they have to re-notify people.

"The tentative date is December 3. By state law it has to be somewhere close."