Wasco County Rural Living Handbook

Wasco County Rural Living Handbook

A Resource for Country Living and Land Stewardship

Prepared and distributed by Wasco County Soil and Water Conservation District

Resource DirectoryWasco County Soil and Water Conservation District2325 River Rd. Ste 3The Dalles, OR 97058541-296-6178 ext 3 Fax: 541-296-7868www.wasco.oacd.org

*Unless otherwise noted, area code is 541

Federal AgenciesUSDA Natural Resources Conservation Service . . 298-8550Farm Services Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298-8559Forest Service, Barlow Ranger District. . .467-2291Forest Service, Bear Springs District . . . 328-6211DOI -Bureau of Land Management (BLM). . 395-2531

Oregon State AgenciesDept of Agriculture (Salem) . . . . . . . . . 503-986-4550Dept of Ag Natural Resources Div. . . . 503-986-4700Agriculture Water Quality Div (Bend). . . . . .617-0017Dept of Environmental Quality (DEQ) . . . . 298-7255Dept of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) . . . . . . . . . . .296-4628Wildlife Violations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-800-452-7888ODFW White River Wildlife Area . . . . . . . . . 544-2126 Dept of Forestry (ODF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296-4626Dept of State Lands (DSL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .388-6112Water Resources (Watermaster) . . . . . . . . . .506-2650

Wasco County Animal Shelter (Home at Last). . . . . . . . . . . . 296-5189Animal Control (Sheriff ’s Office) . . . . . . . . . . 296-5454Assessor’s Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 506-2510Building Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298-4461County Clerks Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .506-2530District Attorney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 506-2680County Judge/Commissioners Office . . . . .506-2520County Planning & Development . . . . . . . . 506-2560Public Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .506-2600Public Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .506-2640Sheriff ’s Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 506-2580Veteran’s Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .506-2502Weedmaster’s Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 506-2650Wasco County OSU Extenstion Service . . . . . .296-5494

Emergency InformationEmergencies Only (Medical/Fire) All Areas . . . . 911Ambulance Services - South Wasco County . . . . . . Emergency . . 395-2500. .Business Ofc . .395-2571Juniper Flat Rural Fire Dept (Business Ofc). . 328-6388Juniper Flat Rural Fire Dept (Fire Only). . 328-6300Maupin (Fire/Medical) - (Business Ofc). . . .395-2400Rock Creek Volunteer Fire Dept . . . . . . . . 544-2370Shaniko Fire Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 489-6100Tygh Valley Volunteer Fire Dept (Fire Only). 483-2333 Pine Hollow Fire Dept (Business Office) . . .544-2338The Dalles Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue . . . . . . . . . 296-9445Report a Forest Fire - The Dalles . . . . . . . . . 296-4626

Irrigation DistrictsJuniper Flat Improvement District . . . . . .395-9705The Dalles Irrigation District . . . . . . . . . . . . 296-3366Barlow Water Improvement District . . . . . 544-2920

Water DistrictsCity of Dufur (Sewer/Water) . . . . . . . . . . 467-2349City of Maupin Public Works . . . . . . . . .395-2684Tygh Valley Water District (Sec). . . . . . . . 483-2118Wasco Co. Public Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .506-2640

Recreational InformationFort Dalles Riders Club & Junior Rodeo . . . .296-5339Fort Dalles Rodeo Association . . . . . . . . . . .296-9191Gorge Equestrian Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386-7763Maupin Chamber of Commerce . . . . . . . . . 395-2599Northern Wasco Co. Parks & Recreation . . 296-9533The Dalles Chamber of Commerce . . . . . . .296-3399

UtilitiesCall Before You Dig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-332-2344Northern Wasco Co. Public Utilities Dist . .296-2226Tel - Centurytel (Tygh Vallley/Maupin) . . 800-201-4099Tel - North State Telephone (Dufur Area) . . . . . . 467-2211Wasco Electric Cooperative (The Dalles) . .296-2740

City of Dufur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 467-2349City of The Dalles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296-5481City of Mosier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 478-3505Maupin City Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395-2698

Wasco CountyRural Living Handbook

Prepared by

Wasco County Soil & WaterConservation District

September 2009

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Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Wasco County Facts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Wasco County History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Buying Country Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Being Neighborly

Wheat Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Livestock Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Fruit Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Caring For Your LandProperty Management Plans . . . . . . . . . 8Fire Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Gardening and Landscaping . . . . . . . . . .9Backyard Orchards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Pasture and Livestock Management . . . 11 Winter Care of Livestock. . . . . . . . . 13 Manure Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Riparian Areas and Wetlands . . . . . . . . . 14Soil Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Waste Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Water Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Weed Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18Wildlife Management . . . . . . . . . . . .19Woodland Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Important Things To KnowAgricultural Water Quality . . . . . . . . . . . 21Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Bicycles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23Rural Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Wasco County Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

References and Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Wasco County SWCD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

ContentsContents

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About The Rural Living Handbook.The Rural Living Handbook was written to acquaint new landowners with some of the issues of country

living. Services such as water, electrical power, telephone, internet, and transportation; as well as the lack of certain conveniences and shopping can be quite challenging. Development of self reliance, independence, and good neighbor skills are important for successful rural living. Newcomers often find the idyllic images of easy country living quickly dispelled when faced with the hard work of managing rural property. That said, hardy souls will also find the work rewarding, particularly when nature responds to cor-rectly applied conservation practices.

This handbook is one tool prospective and current landown-ers can use to begin to understand land management issues. It also provides an introduction to water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, woodland management, what it means to live next to an agricultural operation, and who to contact for assistance. Not knowing about certain things can get a person into trouble.

Who is Wasco County Soil and Water Conservation District?Wasco County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is a non-regulatory local government organiza-

tion dedicated to helping local residents address natural resource issues on their land. The conservation district has several conservation planners on staff who provide technical assistance to landowners in addressing natural resource issues. They can provide advice, technical information, or assist in developing resource management plans. Some activities require local, state, or federal permits and the district can often help with information needed for permitting.

The SWCD works in partnership with the US Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) to help agriculture producers obtain technical and financial assistance to implement con-servation practices on their land. Good stewardship principles are not only good for the land, they can ensure the land stays productive for generations to come. Another valuable partner to the SWCD is Wasco County OSU Extension Service. Through their Master Gardener Program, 4-H, Family & Community Health, Horticulture, Small Farms, Field Crops, Farm Management, and Livestock Programs, Extension provides a well rounded group of services geared to the needs of the community. The conservation district also works closely with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), US Forest Service (USFS), as well as Wasco County Government.

This handbook, while not designed to render a thorough examination of all covered topics, will touch upon some of the most common issues the new landowner may face at one time or another. Water quality and the im-portance of fish related habitat being highest among them. Readers will be guided to the appropriate agency for further information on the topics covered in the handbook. When in doubt, the conservation district is a good first stop. If we can’t help, we can certainly put you in touch with the right people to get the help you need.

Introduction

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The majority of Wasco County’s economy is based upon agriculture (fruit production, wheat farming, and livestock ranching). Other economic industries include lumber and other forest products, light manufacturing, electric power,

transportation, and tourism.

Wasco County is bordered by the Columbia River to the north, De-schutes River to the east, Warm Springs to the south and Mt. Hood National Forest to the west.

The county seat in The Dalles was established in 1854, the same year the county received its designa-tion. Initially, it served as a way station on the Oregon Trail for those heading to the Willamette Valley.

The land base is 1,572,680 acres consisting of 263,000 acres of dryland and irrigated crops and fruit production (cherry, apple, pear and vineyards). Rangeland encompasses 663,000 acres, forestland 261,000, urban areas 8,000, and Warm Springs Res-ervation 387,113.

Wasco County has six incorporated cities. The Dalles, Mosier and Dufur are located in the north part of the county and Antelope, Shaniko and Maupin are

located in what’s known as “south county.” Addition-ally, there are eight unincorporated communities - Ro-wena, Boyd and Chenowith in north county and Pine Grove, Pine Hollow, Wamic, Tygh Valley, and Friend in south county. According to the 2000 Census the county population was approximately 23,791 people.

Centrally located on the Columbia River, residents have access to numerous recreational activities and events up and down the gorge. Maupin, located on the Deschutes River, is a favored getaway for fishing and rafting, while Pine Grove and Wamic are gate-ways to Mt. Hood and adjoining wilderness areas for hiking and camping enthusiasts.

History buffs will find themselves steeped in the legendary history of Lewis and Clark, the Oregon Trail, Barlow Trail, and early Native American folk-lore and traditions. Discerning photographers and naturalist will be delighted by sweeping vistas, breath-taking waterfalls, diverse native flora, and secluded hiking trails along the Columbia Gorge.

Want to know more?Visit The Dalles Chamber of Commerce

www.thedalleschamber.com

About Wasco County

In 1805, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark became the first white men to enter the region. Af-terwards came fur trappers, traders, and other expe-ditions. Missionaries were the first to settle Wasco County permanently in 1838.

A natural barrier was created in The Dalles by the cliffs of the Columbia Gorge. From the Dalles, wea-ry travelers had the choice of navigating the mighty Columbia River or traveling overland across the Cas-cades by way of the Barlow Road.

The Barlow Road got its name from Sam Barlow, an emigrant angry over the high ferry prices that were being charged to float the Columbia to Fort Vancou-ver. Barlow began construction in 1845 on a route from The Dalles across Mt. Hood to the Willamette Valley and was finished in 1846, complete with toll gates that charged $5 per wagon.

Often, the travelers found the tedious journey too much to bear and opted to settle, populating plac-es we know as Dufur, Tygh Valley, Wamic, Maupin, Shaniko, and everyplace in between. The following historical tidbits are just a glimpse into the rich heri-tage of Wasco County.

Dufur was incorporated in 1893 and named af-ter Andrew J. Dufur and his brother Enoch Burnham Dufur. The brothers settled there in 1859 raising their sheep on 600 acres of land where the City of Dufur now stands. Dufur celebrates its agricultural history

through the Dufur Threshing Bee, held the second weekend in August.

Tygh Valley is named after the Tygh Native Americans, who are now part of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Tygh Valley is considered by some to be the beginning of the Barlow Road be-cause many wagon trains crossed the Deschutes River at Sherars bridge and proceeded west, bypassing The Dalles. However, the National Park Service treats the first tollgate site at Gate Creek on the White River as the beginning of the Barlow Road.

Wamic derives its name from early settlers named Womack - Asa and Levi Womack and their nephew Crawford. The Wamic Post Office was established November 25, 1884 with James W. Sanford as post-master. Once located inside Wamic Store, it closed November 30, 2009. Wamic also holds a yearly Bar-low Trail Rendezvous in July to celebrate its heritage.

Maupin was named after Howard Maupin, a col-orful character who came to Oregon in 1863. Maupin owned a ferry on the Deschutes River which was bought by W.E. Hunt. The subsequent arrival of the railroad brought development and in 1909, through a poor communications connection, the proposed name of Maupin Ferry was shortened to Maupin and the rest is history.

Shaniko was built as a railhead terminal because of the enormous wool production in Central Oregon. In order to expedite the shipment of wool to The Dalles, a railroad was built from Biggs Junction on the Columbia to Shaniko in 1898. Shaniko is consid-ered a ghost town and some of its original buildings are still standing today.

Named after the Wasco (Wascopam) Indian Tribes, Wasco County was the largest county in the nation at 130,000 square miles. It embraced all of Oregon east of the Cascades - including most of Idaho and parts of

Montana and Wyoming. Eventually, as territories and counties split away, Wasco County was reduced to its cur-rent size of 2,396 sq miles.

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Want to know more?Visit The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center

www.gorgediscovery.org

Wasco County History

The most important question you need to ask yourself is why you want to “move to the country.” Understanding why will help you make the choice that’s right for you.

If your goal is to buy undeveloped land, there are important things to consider before you buy:

• Ensure that it is a legal parcel and it is buildable. Many are the times people have purchased acreage only to find out it isn’t a legal parcel and therefore cannot be developed.

• Know the parcel zoning. Buildable parcel sizes vary depending upon the type of zone it is in.

• Understand land use laws governing the zon-ing. Can the parcel be used for what you intend to use it for?

• Is there water for a well? • Has it been perked for septic? If not, you’ll need

to find out if it can be. The parcel must be approved for septic by the County Health Dept.

• How far away is the nearest utility pole? The property owner is responsible for the poles needed to bring power to the dwelling.

• Has the property been surveyed? Fences are not necessarily an indication of property lines. Don’t rely on them to be accurate.

• Is the property in the National Scenic Area? If so you’ll need to get familiar with the laws that govern property in the Scenic Area. They cover everything from tree height to the color of your house.

Acreage: Are you physically able to manage the land yourself or will you need to hire someone to do it for you? Owning land means maintenance. See “Caring for Your Land” for some important considerations.

Climate: Wasco County has an arid climate with rainfall at 13” or less a year. Summers are hot, winters are cold, and the spring and fall rains can be unpre-dictable. Inspect potential home sites for runoff vul-nerability, flooding, and land slides.4

Electricity: The county is serviced by two electric companies: Wasco Electric Cooperative and North-ern Wasco Co. Public Utilities District (PUD). Think about alternative heat sources in case of a power out-age in the middle of winter.

Fire: Fire is always an issue, but never more so than in a rural environment. Lightning strikes can smol-der in the forest for weeks before erupting into a fast moving inferno that leaves little time for packing. Consider the proximity of trees to the home site and the fire potential. Refer to the topic “Fire Protection” for some important safety considerations.

Schools: Schools are located in Dufur, Maupin, Mosier, and The Dalles. Consider the condition of access roads. Talk to neighbors in the area about lo-cal conditions and where the bus routes are relative to potential property sites. How far will you have to drive your children to meet up with the bus or to get to work? What about medical and emergency servic-

Buyer Beware!Before investing time, money and energy

into a piece of property, check with Wasco County Planning & Development. Ensure your needs and zoning regulations for the parcel are compatible. Visit http://co.wasco.or.us/plan-ning/planhome.html for more information

Buying Country PropertyKnowing what to expect before you purchase your dream home can ensure your decision is the right one. There are many facets to consider that can affect your choice of where you ultimately settle. Rural living doesn’t necessarily have to be on

several isolated acres of forest or range, it can be accomplished just as easily in a small community setting.

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es? Be realistic and weigh your needs carefully. Road maintenance information can be found under “Rural Roads.”

Septic: If buying an existing home, it is a good idea to have the septic system inspected and/or pumped before purchase. Repairs can be an unexpected finan-cial burden. For undeveloped property, ensure it has been perked for septic drainage.

Soil Types: Soils in the county can be clay, sand, loam, fertile, barren, thin, deep, dry, rocky, gravelly and everything in between. Clays can affect where you put the septic tank, drain fields, or drill for wa-ter. Water percolates through sand very quickly, which can be of concern for septic, garden or landscape. Refer to “Soil Quality” for helpful information.

Neighboring Land Use: Wasco County is agricul-tural - consisting of orchards, wheat, hay, cattle, and vineyards. If you think active agricultural operations will cause you discomfort, then avoid these areas. Or-egon has a right to farm law. Helpful information on what to expect in an agriculture environment can be found in the chapter on “Being Neighborly.”

Forestland: Forested property has minimum acre-age requirements in order to be buildable. There are also setbacks, defensible space, and land utilization is-sues covered under Oregon’s Forest Practices Act..

Utilities: DSL internet availability is limited to larger towns. Elsewhere people use dialup services offered by telephone companies or satellite internet. The

same applies to TV. Cell phone signals are sometimes spotty in lowlands and draws. If you plan on using cell phone only, ensure there’s reception.

Water: Depending on where you live you will have either community water, a well, or, if undeveloped land, no water. Well water should be tested for drink-ability. Drilling a domestic well can be expensive so check with area well drillers and budget accordingly. Oregon Water Resources has information on well construction and permit costs at http://www.wrd.state.or.us.

Weather: It does snow here. Not often, but when it does, it can accumulate fast. Consider how isolated the property is, what kind of preparations you would need to make, and if access roads pose potential weather related problems. Ice is a frequent issue in winter. Although main roads are often de-iced, this isn’t true for side roads.

Wildlife: The opportunity to see wildlife up close and personal can be a big draw for rural living, how-ever, reality can be a big eye-opener. Wildlife will eat your landscape, tip over your garbage, eat your cats, dogs, livestock, and dig up your yard. It is their nature and it is up to you to learn preventative measures to avoid these scenarios. Refer to the topic on “Wildlife Management.”

Zoning: Zones determine what uses the land can be put to as well as the number of acres required for development. Wasco County Planning Office person-nel can help you with any questions concerning land use laws and zoning issues. Contact information can be found under “References and Resources.”

Zones: Exclusive Farm Use (A-1); Agricultural/Recreation (A-R); Rural Commercial (R-C); Environ-mental Protection District (EPD); Forest Zone (F-1 & F-2); Forest Farm (F-F); Limited Use Overlay Zone (L-U); Rural Industrial (R-1); Rural Residential (RR, RR-2, & RR-10); Tygh Valley Zoning; Wamic Zoning; and the National Scenic Area.

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Right to FarmThe siting of non-farm uses in farming areas has

always raised contention in urban/rural interface zones. Non-farm neighbors, unaccustomed to nor-mal farming activities, have often found agricultural noise, odors, and other activities objectionable.

In the past, non-farmers used state or local nui-sance laws to obtain injunctions to stop agricultural activities. In the 1960’s state legislatures across the US

took steps to protect commercial agricultural activi-ties.

Oregon’s “right to farm” law can be found at ORS 30.930. In it, the Legislature set out in statute that “farming and forest practices are critical to the eco-nomic welfare of this state,” and it is “in the interest of the continued welfare of the state for farming and forest practices be protected from legal actions that may be intended to limit such practices.”

Understanding the pros and cons of living next to farming operations before you buy will make being neighborly a stress free experience.

Wheat FarmsVarious grain fields account for the largest land

use in Wasco County and the fields of green and rip-ening grain help foster the perceptions of an idyllic country existence. Which, it can be - at times!

Spring through fall, mammoth tractors pulling strange and astonishingly large farm implements take to the highway and side roads on their way to fields scattered throughout the county. Air planes spraying crops and the roar of farm equipment will shatter quiet mornings and seem to drone endlessly through-out the day. During harvest, combines the size of small houses and grain trucks roar down highways, filling the air with dust and delaying traffic.

Fire hazards in dry wheat fields and grasslands are

Being NeighborlyBeing neighborly in the country can sometimes be harder than it is in the city. However, it can also be more im-

portant. Rules are as different as the perceptions behind them and many of your neighbors probably have lived on their land for generations. Take some time to understand the neighborhood and the general environment before you buy

property and start making changes.

Good Neighbor Tips• Get to know your neighbors and let them

get to know you.• Respect their environment. People who

live in a rural environment prize their privacy and space. Sudden and drastic changes are ingredients for conflict.

• Oregon has a right to farm law. Don’t live next to a farm if the noise of farm machinery and livestock bothers you. They aren’t going to move.

• Fences can often belong to one or the oth-er neighbor. Find out ownership before altering them.

• Maintain boundary fences cooperatively. Keeping permitted livestock off of private prop-erty is the responsibility of the property owner, not the livestock owner.

• Control your dogs at all times. Do not allow your dog to chase wildlife or livestock. Landown-ers have the right to protect their livestock and may legally kill dogs that are caught chasing, killing or otherwise injuring livestock.

• Respect property rights. Seek permission be-fore entering another’s property. Rural backyards are huge and always belong to someone. The old barn out in the back forty is not forgotten, the owner knows exactly where it is.

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of major concern. Any small spark or hot exhaust can cause a fire in tinder-dry conditions. The result can be huge losses - not only of crop and property, but lives could be lost as well. Extra care must be taken by anyone living in a rural environment. Pay attention to fire conditions at all times and act sensibly.

LivestockWasco County’s farms and ranches are home to a

wide variety of livestock including cattle, sheep, hors-es, goats, pigs, alpacas, llamas, emus, chickens, and rabbits, just to name a few.

Livestock opera-tions range in size from just a few animals to a few hundred animals, and can bring all sorts of unexpected sights, sounds, and smells. There is also the fact that livestock always want what’s on the other side of the fence. If your yard is on the other side then expect the occa-sional visitor. Livestock are quite the escape artists!

Late fall and spring are especially busy for cattle ranchers, with activities like calving, weaning, brand-ing, and cattle drives – though not necessarily in that order. Weaning occurs when the calves are about sev-en or eight months old, it is very stressful time for the cattle - and to any neighbors who are not accustomed to the noise. Frantic cows and calves might bawl for one another for what seems like days on end.

Cattle drives will be encountered as ranchers move their stock from winter to summer pasture or visa-versa. Drivers should be very cautions: cattle drives may attain speeds of up to three miles an hour! On a serious note, drivers should be aware that horses and cattle may be easily spooked by vehicles. If you do come upon a cattle drive, go slow and be patient.

Barnyards as well as backyard livestock operations can be busy and noisy places. It is a little known fact that roosters do not necessarily crow only at dawn.

Actually, they crow anytime they feel like it, including throughout the night.

Fruit ProductionThe pastorial quality of vineyards and orchards

can be quite inviting. However, before settling on liv-ing in that environment, there’s a few things to take into consideration.

Orchards are very busy places - and quite noisy at times. Tree pruning will occur November through February and farm workers will be moving from or-chard to orchard. Some orchards employ large noisy machines to grind stumps and limbs into compost. Throughout the growing and dormant season there will often be the high pitched whine of sprayers cov-ering the trees with oil and sulfur to control insects and diseases. Parades of orchard workers pulling sprayers up and down both main and side roads are frequently encountered during this time as well.

Expect to be greeted on frosty mornings with the helicopter sounds of frost fans that are used to move cold air through the orchard.

Harvest begins with cherries in late June and con-tinues through fall with apples and pears. Orchard workers will be picking fruit into bins to be loaded onto trucks. Traffic may be slowed by trucks traveling to and from the orchards.

Those close to vineyards could be serenated by periodic cannon fire throughout the day as growers attempt to drive off voracious flocks of birds. Grapes are particularly sensitive to pesticides and herbicides at crucial bloom periods. Careless chemical use near a vineyard could be financially devastating to the vine-yardist and to the herbicide user if the chemical is traced back to the applicator.

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Property Management PlansA Property Management Plan is a comprehensive

property inventory - from available resources and landscape issues to placement of structures.

It is helpful to make a base map that shows the property boundaries, buildings, fences, the well, sep-tic area, driveway and easements or roads. From there, using a system of overlays, you can indicate landscape features such as gardens, open water sources, soil types, bare ground, grassy areas, trees, shrubs, shade/sun areas, weeds, geographic features like slopes, hills, draws, eroded areas, and places where water might pool.

As you take notes, keep in mind your goals for the land, such as what you like about it, why you bought it, and what you want it to do for you.

Photo points are a great tool to measure progress and to gauge land response to management practic-es. Property management can take a lot of money. However, through planning, focusing, and prioritiz-ing objectives, a person will often find several small problems being taken care of simultaneously.

There are many agencies available to assist the ho-meowner in conservation land management decisions including: Wasco County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), Oregon State University (OSU) Ex-tension, Oregon Dept. of Forestry (ODF), Oregon Dept of Agriculture (ODA), and Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW). For more information see the resource listing at the back of this book.

The following topics represent a variety of land uses and things to take into consideration when shop-ping for property. Much work can be saved by pur-chasing land already suited for its intended use.

Fire ProtectionFire has always played a prominent role in the nat-

ural environment. It is no different today. The ability to live more safely within this environment depends greatly upon the use of “pre-fire activities.” These are actions taken before a wildfire occurs. The following is provided from “Living With Fire-A Guide For The Homeowner” from the Pacific Northwest Wildfire Coordinating Group.

These actions include vegetation management to maintain defensible space around structures and the use of fire resistive building materials, such as com-posite shingles, tile and tin.

Step one - Analyze - The size of defensible space around structures will depend on the type of domi-nant vegetation (grass, trees, or shrubs), and slope.

Wasco County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Natural Resources Conservation Service have staff that can assist commercial agriculturists in developing forestry, range,

farm, wildlife, and wetland management plans.

Caring For Your LandFor the most part land takes care of itself. However, there are land management practices that can be used to ensure that the quality of life that brought us all here is maintained. Additionally, there are an array of rules and regula-tions that govern certain natural resource and land practices that must be adhered to. The following topics highlight

land practices which have regulatory considerations as well as beneficial land stewardship practices.

The three R’s of defensible space are defined as:

• Removal - Elimination of entire plants, particularly trees and shrubs. For instance cutting down dead trees and/or removal of highly flammable shrubs.

• Reduction - Removal of plant parts, such as dead limbs, low branches, and keeping dried grasses mowed.

• Replacement - Replacement land-scape with less flammable plants and planting irrigated flower beds near the home.

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Gardens & LandscapingWasco County is considered to be quite arid. Rain-

fall is 13 or less inches a year. While there can be rainy years, they are the exception rather than the rule. Planting drought tolerant and native vegetation in the landscape can make gardening less problematic.

Late and early season freezes can often wreak hav-oc on gardens and landscape plants. Plants appropri-ate for USDA Hardiness Zone 6 (0 to -10 degrees) can ensure your landscape survives average tempera-tures.

Winds are a common occurrence, as are extreme temperatures. In addition to having wind damage to landscape plants, wind causes faster evaporation of water from plants and the soil. Add heat and evapora-tion rates double. Use of mulches to protect the soil can slow down that rate.

Researching the needs of the plants you want to grow can save a lot of money and energy. Consider the hardiness zone, frost, rainfall, soil tilth, and sun exposure. Plants vary in their requirements for sun-light and choosing a location suitable to their needs will help create a successful landscape.

Soil is the foundation of a healthy garden. In-corporating mulches and composts, reduced pesti-cide use, appropriate soil pH, and crop rotation can all help to create a healthy soil biology. Testing your soil in the spring helps to determine what it needs to ensure healthy plants. The Wasco County OSU Ex-tension Master Gardeners can help. See “References and Resources” for more information.

Pests can be a challenge in any garden. However, not all insects in your garden will be pests. Beneficial insects are predators who feed on garden pests (and yes, other beneficials). By working with nature rather than against it, you can create a micro-ecosystem that sustains itself with minimal assistance. This is called Integrated Pest Management or IPM.

It’s important to learn to identify beneficial insects from pests. The larvae of some beneficials can often

Step two is to remove dead vegetation - branches, pine needles, etc., and mow within the space. Step three - analyze continuous dense cover of shrubs or trees, and identify plants to be removed to provide a separation between groups of plants.

Step four - vegetation present at varying heights, similar to rungs of a ladder, can allow for fire to move from lower growing vegetation to higher.

Step five - ensure at least a 30’ wide “lean, clean, and green” area surrounding the home. Step six is to ensure your defensible space is maintained and per-form an annual review of your practices.

Visit http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/ for more in-formation on fire protection and prevention.

Slope% 0-20% 21-40% 41%+Grass 30’ 100’ 100’Shrubs 100’ 200’ 200’Trees 30’ 100’ 200’

Recommended Defensible Space based on Steepness of Slope

Distance between shrubs is based upon canopy “fullness” at maturity.

Distance between tree canopies are in feet.Slope% 0-20% 21-40% 41%+Shrub Distances 2x 4x 6xTree Distances 10’ 20’ 30’

In Wasco County, wheat fields and rangeland made up of bunch grasses, sage, juniper, and thick bunches of knapweed all provide a highly combustionable mix of fuels. This combination enables fires to race across the landscape at unimaginiable speeds.

In these conditions, vehicle and ATV ex-haust are fire hazards. Use extreme care or avoid driving in tinder dry grasses altogether.

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be thought of as pests, such as butterflies in the cater-pillar stage. Get to know the kinds of butterflies you may encounter and what their larva look like. Planting with the intent to feed butterfly offspring will help to keep them around to pollinate.

The larvae of some beneficials, such as the lady beetle, bear little resem-blance to the adult. To the right is a lady beetle and its offspring, which, by the way, will out-eat the adult in its daily consumption of aphids and other pests.

Pollinators play a major role in the success of your gardening efforts. They ensure flowering plants produce fruit and seeds for the next year’s crop. Frankly, without pollinators there would be no food for humans or animals.

Setting aside some space for pollinator habitat, or incorporating it into the current garden, helps to en-sure the survival of native pollinators. This can be done by planting species that flower throughout the growing season, such as Gaillardia (Blanket Flower); choosing plants which have value for the offspring, such as the birch for the swallowtail butterfly; or put-ting up mason bee “homes.” Not only will you be helping beneficial species, you’ll be ensuring your own crops get pollinated.

Watering the landscape and garden can be a trial at times. Drip or micro-irrigation installation, timed sprinklers, plant groupings, mulches (organic or land-scape fabric), and watering in the morning or evening can all help to reduce water evaporation (thus usage) and bills.

Xeriscape is a term used for planting a drought tolerant landscape. It is also called “water-wise” gar-dening. Many people are learning to incorporate na-tive and/or naturalized species to achieve this goal. A landscape planted suitable to the environment means less work, less water, less pests, and healthier plants.

Water Conservation TipsWater conservation saves time, money, and en-ergy. By using water-wise gardening techniques your plants and soil will get what they need and you’ll save money.

• Group plants with similar water, soil and sun exposure needs.• Select plants adapted to your environ-ment.• Water in the early morning or late evening to decrease evaporation of applied water.• Eliminate leaks from hoses & faucets.• Avoid irrigating driveways & sidewalks.• Mulch to reduce evaporation from the soil.• Consider planting drought resistant plant varieties.• Design irrigation for site specific needs.

Backyard OrchardA backyard or-

chard can be fun and the fruit can help supplement the fam-ily food budget. How-ever, they can also be a lot of work. The ho-meowner is respon-sible for keeping to a similar spray schedule as any nearby commercial or-chard. The backyard fruit tree, if left unsprayed, can be a breeding ground for orchard pests and thereby endanger commercial orchard operations.

Wasco County OSU Extension Office has a Home Orchard Spray Guide to help with keeping a good spray schedule.

You will need to know what kind of fruit tree you have. Different types of fruit trees require different types of spray formulations, application methods and

Caring For Your LandCaring For Your Land

11

seasonal spray schedules.

Pests and diseases are often specific to certain trees Knowing your tree species will help to identify pests typical for that fruit tree. Being able to identify an infestation before it gets out of hand will help keep your backyard fruit trees healthy and producing.

Never spray pesticides on opened flowers - they will kill pollinators, such as honey bees, mason bees, butterflies and others that feed on flower pollen.

Before using any chemical it is very important to read the label. From it you will learn whether it’s suit-able for your plants, if it will kill the target pest, when it should be sprayed (season), what temperatures are suitable to spray it in, how much to use and how to mix it. You will learn what protective clothing to wear, the lethal dose, and poison control measures.

In addition to spraying, fruit trees usually require pruning. Keeping trees compact helps to make spray-ing easier, puts fruit within reach, and helps keep branches strong and healthy.

Pasture & Livestock ManagementPasture is the key to

healthy livestock. How it is managed will make all the difference in forage quality, quantity and weed control problems.

Overgrazed pastures lead to soil erosion, sur-face water run-off, and re-duced forage quality/quan-tity. Horses can suffer from inhaling dust and eating less than desirable forage. Consequences can be as severe as colic or neurologi-cal problems from eating toxic weeds.

Pasture Fertility ManagementHealthy pastures need good fertility management

to maximize production and animal health. Most dry-land pastures in Wasco County are a mix of annual and perennial grasses, which, if the soil is healthy,

generally only need applications of nitrogen in the spring and fall. Irrigated pastures, which often have alfalfa or clovers in the mix, will need additional ap-plications of phosphorus, potassium and sulfur. Be-cause soils vary greatly in the region, knowing what kind you have and how much nutrients to apply is important. A soil test every 2-3 years is recommended to ensure the health of the feed stand.

Pasture Use - How Much Forage?The rule of thumb for grazing is take half and

leave half and never graze pastures below three inch-es in height. Pasture grasses should be at least 6-8” tall before they are grazed. It is important to remember that you are looking for 50% removal by volume, not by height. Studies have shown that when over 50% of the grass is removed, 50% of the root growth is stopped.

If overgrazing becomes an issue, it is time to de-sign a rotational grazing system. This consists of sub-dividing your pasture into several smaller ones, then moving your animals through the pastures when grass gets down to 3-4” in height. A sacrifice area in which you provide hay may be needed to hold animals when none of the pastures have tall enough grass (6-8”) to restart grazing.

Geographic Area

Soil Name 1 Cow Acre

1 Sheep Acre

1 Horse Acre

TDalles / Mill Crk

Cherry Hill /Chenowith

1.5 Acres

0.03 Acre

2 Acres

Wrentham /Dufur

Walla Walla /Dufur

1.0 0.08 1.1

Juniper Flat Maupin / Watama

1.0 0.22 1.4

Bakeoven Condon / Bakeoven

2.0 0.50 2.5

Tygh Ridge Condon / Cantala

1.2 0.25 1.5

Tygh Valley Sherar / Sinamox

1.3 0.25 1.7

# of Acres Needed to Feed 1 Animal for 1 Month

Data obtained from Wasco County NRCS Soil Survey

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The previous table is based on soil types common-ly found in each geographic area. It shows the num-ber of acres each animal needs for 1 month under average conditions - providing the pasture is healthy and capable of supporting grazing.

How Much Does An Animal Eat?It is important to know how much forage an ani-

mal needs to be healthy. This will help you balance number of ani-mals you can put on your pasture with the amount of forage avail-able. Thus avoid-ing over use and cutting down on supplemental feed requirements.

SeedingPasture/range reseeding can increase the quality

and quantity of forage. However, in an arid climate, seeding at the appropriate time can save considerable time and money. To get the best results, time your planting with available moisture, such as in the fall or early spring. This will make the most of winter rains and snow. Once planted, avoid grazing reseeded pas-tures for at least the first growing season. This may necessitate supplemental feeding for awhile, but the result will be increased pasture carrying capacity.

Weed Identification & ControlGood pasture

management will keep pasture plants vigorous, healthy and competitive, which reduces the ability of weeds to become estab-lished. Knowing

what weeds you have and controlling them when they are small is critical for successful weed management.

ShadeAnimals should be

provided with suitable shade during the sum-mer and shelter in the winter. This reduces stress and increases weight gain. Shelter can be in the form of plant-ed windbreaks made up of trees or structures. Structures should be designed open sided in the summer, oriented north-south, and at least 10-12’ high to improve air movement and cooling. Wind-breaks or shelter belts are planted perpendicular to the direction of the most wind, although this can vary depending on the topography of the land.

How Much Water?Cool, clean water is just as essential for healthy

livestock as it is for humans. In livestock it also plays an important role in digestion and the animals’ ability to cool itself. Water consumption will vary based on outside temperature, animal size, lactation, and feed intake.

Automatic water units are desirable; if not possible, wa-ter should be made available several times a day. Allowing livestock to have uncontrolled access to streams for wa-ter causes damage to stream banks, riparian vegetation and degrades water quality.

Caring For Your Land

Cows 30Calves 15

Horses 80Sheep 8Ewe w/Lamb 12Goats 10Llama 12-20

Sq. Ft. of Shed Space Recommended

per Head

Pasture & Livestock Management by - Brian Tuck, Wasco County OSU Extension Agent; Shilah Olson,

Wasco County SWCD Conservation Planner; and Ellen Ham-mond, ODA Water Quality Specialist.

Horses 8-12Cows 7-12Sheep 1-4Goats 1-4Llama 2-5

Estimated gallonsof water per day

1 Cow (1000 lbs) 800 lbs1 Horse 1000 lbs1 Sheep 200 lbs1 Llama 300 lbs1 Goat 200 lbs

Needed Grazing Animal Forage

(Dry Matter in lbs/month)

These weights are for actual consump-tion; when feeding hay, include 10%

more to account for waste.

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Winter Care of LivestockMost livestock can handle wind chills above 20°

F without much stress. However, when possible it is best to have a dry place for livestock to escape from cold rains, wet snow and wind. Weather stress can have a detrimental affect on the animal’s health.

While natural protection and windbreaks may be adequate, three-sided sheds opening away from pre-vailing winds are desirable. Allow enough room for livestock to safely lie down without being trampled or smothered. Good clean dry bedding provides insula-tion from the cold ground.

Feed - It is often thought that providing extra grain in cold conditions is the thing to do. However, in reality, livestock produce body heat through the fermentation of fiber, which creates heat while re-leasing energy. Therefore, good quality grass hay or alfalfa are actually the best source of total digestible nutrients (TDN) for cold weather.

Refer to the chart under “Pasture Use - How Much Forage” for forage requirements. The rule of thumb is to plan on feeding 2-3% of an animals body weight in dry matter per day. If poor quality forage is fed the volume of hay will need to be increased. Hay con-tains about 10% water, so if you need to feed 100 lbs of dry you would have to feed 111 lbs of hay. Also, weights shown in the table are for actual consump-tion in dry matter, so include at least 10% more to account for waste.

Hay - Rely on your nose, eyes, and hands when purchasing hay. Good hay is usually very green. Green hay has plenty of Vitamin A and the protein is usu-ally of good quality. Brown or bleached out hay will be deficient in Vitamin A and the protein denatured. Good hay will smell fresh and grassy, not moldy, musty, damp or dusty.

Good hay is tender to the touch with thin, small

Manure ManagementGood livestock management practices have to in-

clude manure management.

An average horse weighing 1,000 pounds will pro-duce between 50 to 55 pounds of manure per day. Annual manure production ranges between 8 to 9 tons. Horses kept in stalls will also use 8-15 pounds of bedding per day, which is another 1 cubic foot. The resultant storage requirements for an average horse is 720 cubic feet per year (12’ x 12’ x 5’).

stems, not coarse with thick stems. The best hay has plenty of protein-rich leaves and relatively few stems. It doesn’t have debris such as weeds, manure, or other foreign materials.

Check the maturity. Grass hays should not be fully headed-out; optimally it should contain about 10% heads. Alfalfa should be harvested at about 10-13% bloom. If it’s full of blooms then it is lower in nutri-ent quality. Make sure the feed has been tested for nutrient values. This should really apply to all the feed you buy. Knowing what you are buying will help you in getting the best feed for your dollar.

If you are going to buy grass seed straw, you need to make sure the straw has been tested for or is known to be free of toxins caused by endophytes. Endophytes are fungus that produce toxins which are harmful to livestock at high concentrations.

For information on sampling for endophytes and a more complete discussion of endophyte toxicity, see the article: “Alert to Livestock Owners: Be Aware of Endophyte When Using Grass Seed Straw to Re-place Hay in Livestock Feed” at http://extension.or-egonstate.edu/yamhill/pdf/alert_to_livestock_own-ers_07.pdf.

One last thing of note: hay can contain noxious and toxic weed seeds. Ensure your hay is purchased from a reputable source as weeds can quickly become a problem for you and your neighbors if allowed to spread.

Winter Care of Livestock by - Brian Tuck, Wasco County OSU Extension Agent

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One ton of horse manure with bedding contains approximately 13 pounds of nitro-gen, 5 pounds of phosphorus, and 13 pounds of potas-sium. When nitro-gen and phosphorus contained in manure are transported to lakes, streams, rivers, or ponds these nutrients will fertilize aquatic plant life and accelerate their growth. These plants deplete oxy-gen levels in the water, reducing the amount of oxy-gen available for aquatic life such as fish. Excessive algae blooms are another problem associated with large amounts of nutrients in the water.

In addition to water contamination, manure also contains harmful pathogens that can make water un-fit for drinking. These include viruses, parasites, and bacteria such as C. Parvum, Giardia, and E. Coli. Al-lowing livestock waste to directly enter a stream is a violation of the Clean Water Act and a prohibited condition in the Lower Deschutes Ag Water Quality Management Area Plan.

So what does one do with all the poo? Compost! A well managed compost pile will cause naturally oc-curring chemical compounds in the manure to sta-bilize and reduce the potential for adverse environ-mental impact. Additionally, besides turning livestock waste into garden gold, the volume of the material will be reduced to about 1/3rd of its original mass.

There are some things to take into consideration when choosing a composting site, including distance from a water body, property lines, residence, wells, or other environmentally sensitive areas. A good loca-tion is very helpful for a successful compost pile. Sun is important to help heat, yet it can also cause exces-sive drying out. Additionally, water availability to keep

the pile moist; protection from winds which can dry and cool the pile; and good drainage so standing water doesn’t impede the decomposition process. Compost piles should be situated away from buildings, wood, or trees which can be affected by the decomposition process.

Heating of the pile is a vital part of the compost-ing process. The right amount will kill pathogens and weed seeds, too much will kill off the microbes.

The temperature is expected to increase in a com-post pile due to the breakdown of organic material by microorganisms. The pile will start out at the out-side temperature when it is first mixed and can reach 150°F in less than 2 days. The maximum compost-ing rate occurs when the temperature is between 110 and 150°F. It has been shown that a temperature of 131°F for 3 days will kill all parasites, weed seeds, and disease-causing organisms. It is important to turn the piles frequently to ensure that all parts of the pile are exposed to these temperatures.

Riparian Areas and WetlandsThese areas require special attention. Oregon has

laws in place to ensure that the integrity of these ar-eas are maintained.

Riparian AreasA riparian area is a vegetative strip (buffer) along a

creek, stream, or other water body. In addition to pro-

Caring For Your LandCaring For Your Land Animal

Manure Lbs per

DayDairy Cow 120-150Heifer 50Beef Cow 75Horse 50-55Ewe w/Lamb 12Goats 10Llama 12-20

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viding habitat for wildlife, trees and shrubs provide shade for fish and other aquatic animals. Plant roots hold soil in place which prevents and/or reduces ero-sion along stream banks, and filter toxins before they can reach the water.

Lack of vegetative cover in the riparian area af-fects water temperatures and allows unchecked ero-sion of the stream banks, particularly during high wa-ter events. Livestock owners can address water quality issues by fencing off access to creeks and streams. Strategic placement of off-stream water sources can also help with pasture management techniques. Tech-nicians with the conservation district can help land-owners with designing off stream watering systems.

Lawns that extend to the edge of the water pose a hazard by allowing herbicides and fertilizers to di-rectly enter the water. These toxins affect water qual-ity, endanger aquatic invertebrates, as well as animals who depend upon it to drink. Planting a vegetative buffer between the lawn and the water can help filter runoff before it reaches the water.

Oregon has water quality rules that cover what can and cannot be done near water bodies. Construction, diversions, dams, etc. typically require permitting. See the topic “Ag Water Quality Management” for infor-mation on Oregon’s Agricultural Water Quality Pro-tection Rules.

Soil QualityThe entire earth—every ecosystem, every living

organism—is dependent upon soils. Soils make our lives possible. We build, play, and drive on them, and eat food grown in or raised on them. Soils grow the plants and trees necessary for the oxygen we breathe, the medicines we take, the clothes we wear, and the clean water we drink. It does this by performing five essential functions.

Regulates water – soil helps control where water goes. Water and dissolved particles flow over the land, into and through the soil.

Sustains plant and animal life – the diver-sity and productivity of living things depends on soil.

Filters pollutants – the minerals and mi-crobes in soil are responsible for filtering, buffering, degrading, immobilizing, and detoxifying organic and

WetlandsWetlands are a unique ecosystem unto themselves.

These are areas that are typically saturated by surface or ground water, at a frequency or duration, sufficient to support a prevalence of vegetation adapted for saturated soil conditions.

Section 404 of the Clean Water Act requires a landowner to obtain a permit from the US Army Corps of Engineers prior to beginning any activity involving placement of dredged or fill material in wa-ter bodies, including wetlands. Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) has responsible oversight over “waters of the state.”

Water is highly regulated by both state and federal agencies. It cannot be stressed enough that prior to any restructuring activity involving a water body or wetland, regulatory guidance be sought. Your local USDA/SWCD office is an important first step in de-termining what permits may or may not be needed.

For Section 404 and Swampbuster go to: www.sac.usace.army.mil/assets/html/regulatory/wetlands/sb.html.

have positive effects, it can also trigger excessive or-ganic matter degradation, disrupts soil structure and can cause compaction below the surface.

Careful management of fertilizer and pes-ticide use – pesticides and chemical fertilizers have revolutionized food production, however, they can also have unintended consequences. They can harm non-target organisms (above and below ground) and pollute water resources. Misused organic fertilizers such as manure can also be a source of pollution.

Increase ground cover – Bare soil is suscep-tible to wind and water erosion, as well as drying and crusting. Ground cover protects the soil and can im-prove water availability. Cover crops, perennials, and surface mulches are some of the practices people use to protect their garden soils.

Increase plant diversity – Diversity is ben-eficial as each plant species contributes a unique root structure and will often have different nutrient de-mands. Diversity can help control pest populations, encourage a greater abundance of soil microorgan-isms, and reduce disease.

Soil ChemistryAs plant material dies and decays it adds organ-

ic matter in the form of humus to the soil. Humus improves soil moisture retention while affecting soil chemistry. Nutrients are bonded to the humus. The availability of these nutrients for plant uptake is de-termined by a soil’s pH. Soil pH is the alkalinity or acidity of the soil. 7.0 is considered neutral pH. Any-thing above 7.0 is considered alkaline. Anything be-low 7.0 is considered acidic.

Nitrogen (N), Potassium (K), and Phosphorus (P) are typical nutrients that plants need in specific amounts to grow, thrive and fight off disease. If the pH of the soil solution is above 5.5, but below 8.0, Nitrogen is available to plants. Phosphorus, on the other hand, is available to plants when soil pH is be-tween 6.0 and 7.0.

If the soil solution is too acidic plants cannot uti-

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Caring For Your Landinorganic materials, including industrial and munici-pal by-products and atmospheric deposits.

Cycles nutrients – carbon, nitrogen, phos-phorus, and many other nutrients are stored, trans-formed, and cycled through soil.

Support structures – Buildings need stable soils for support, and archeological treasures associ-ated with human habitation are protected in soils.

How well soil does what we want it to do is known as “Soil Quality”. It is important to understand what soil is in order to be able to protect and improve its long-term productivity.

Soil is made up of minerals, air, water, and or-ganic matter. They are classified by the composition of the mineral component, which are categorized by particle size into sand, silt, and clay. The percentage of each textured particle size in any given soil classi-fies it as a loam, sandy loam, clay loam, and etc. The properties and behavior of soils is in large part de-termined by its textural classification and the amount of air, water and organic matter it contains. Each one will have different requirements in order to enhance its quality. However, there are several common prac-tices that apply in most all situations that any home gardener can use.

Add organic matter - compost made up of vegetative and animal manures, can improve water holding capacity, provide nutrients to soil organisms and plants, and can help protect against erosion.

Avoid excessive tillage - while tillage can


Waste ManagementWasco County has a landfill located just outside of

The Dalles; Mel’s Sanitary out of Tygh Valley takes care of rural garbage pickup, and The Dalles Transfer Station takes care of residents within the The Dalles.

The Dalles Transfer Station has an active recycling program, and A&P Recycling will take cardboard, tin, aluminum, glass, and some metals.

Fire is always an issue. If you choose to burn pa-per waste, and you are outside the city, contact the US Forest Service Barlow Ranger District in Dufur to find when an active burn ban is in place. If within the city limits, check with the local fire department.

Always burn in a safe manner. Remove dry debris from around the barrel, make sure the barrel is stout and not crumbling. Ideally, have a graveled area kept free of dead grass and weeds. Use a mesh cover to prevent large pieces of burning material from being caught on wind currents. Have an active water source on hand. Understand that winds are always a concern as they can come up quite suddenly and very fiercely. Fire gets out of hand very quickly in our arid environ-ment. Don’t burn when it is windy!

Dumping is illegal. Not only that, improperly dis-posed of household debris is detrimental to the en-vironment, particularly ground water. Help keep our

lize N, P, K and other nutrients they need. In acidic soils, plants are more likely to take up toxic metals and some plants eventually die of toxicity (poisoning).

A soil pH inappropriate to a plants’ needs will of-ten be the underlying cause of a disease. It is highly recommended that a soil pH test is conducted before planting. Wasco County has arid, clay soils which lean towards being alkaline, whereas soils on the west side of the mountain, where there is more rainfall, tend to be acidic. Televised gardening programs will often recommend the use of lime. Lime is used to make acidic soils alkaline. Thus, the Wasco County gardener typi-cally needs elemental sulfur rather than lime.

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water running clean and free of toxins by disposing of waste in a responsible manner.

Water ManagementUnless you live in a town serviced by a water

district you’ll obtain your water from a well. Under Oregon law, all ground water is considered a public resource. In general, a water right permit must be ob-tained before using water from any well. However, the following uses of ground water do not require an application for a water right permit.

Group and single-family domestic use up to 15,000 gallons per day. Stock watering. Watering any lawn and/or non-commercial gar-

den totaling one-half acre or less in area. Any single industrial or commercial develop-

ment up to 5,000 gallons per day.

For current state well construction standards and regulations, visit www.oregon.gov/OWRD/.

In order to draw water from an irrigation ditch or an open water body you must have a water right to do so. Irrigation water rights are attached to individual parcels of land and should be disclosed prior to pur-chase. You may want to contact the Watermaster for verification of the right as well as how much you can draw per day, metering requirements, water use re-porting, and any other restrictions.

Irrigation districts control the use of water through their ditch systems and typically assess charges to maintain the system. Most irrigation ditches in Wasco Co. are very old and relatively inefficient methods of transporting irrigation water. Wasco Co. SWCD and other agencies are assisting irrigation districts in re-placing ditch methods with piping to conserve water. Irrigation ditches are not necessarily streams, there-fore do not expect that water to always flow by your property. Irrigation districts in Wasco Co. are listed at the front of this publication.

High impact sprinklers use a lot of water. Com-bine that with watering on a windy or hot sunny day and your use is increased threefold. Best management practices include converting to micro sprinkler sys-tems, watering in the early evening or morning, keep-ing grass taller to shade the ground, measuring how much water is being applied, and using soil moisture sensors to see how moist the soil is at root level.

Wasco Co. OSU Extension has guides available to help gardeners with determining the water needs of particular plants. Wasco Co. SWCD and USDA NRCS can provide technical assistance and perhaps funding for commercial growers to convert to more water efficient irrigations systems.

A note about ponds: In addition to aesthetic ap-peal, recreational and agricultural uses, ponds pro-vide critical habitat for numerous species of plants and animals. In most cases a permit will be required to construct the pond. Reservoirs with a dam 10’ or more in height that can store 9.2 acre-feet or more of water require engineering plans and specifications ap-proved by the Oregon Water Resource Department prior to construction.

For dams less than 10’ high or storing less than 9.2 acre-feet the process for permitting is generally a little less expensive and faster to achieve. Again, the Watermaster can help with this.

Stagnant ponds can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes and become unhealthy with algae growth. Consider a way to provide aeration. Pond aeration windmills as well as solar setups are available com-mercially.

Weed ManagementIt is said that a weed is merely a plant growing in

the wrong place. In our case a lot of weeds are not only in the wrong country, they are also displacing beneficial native plants and grasses. Many weeds that now occur in Wasco County were inadvertently intro-duced by landowners as ornamentals. Care should be

18

taken when introducing new plants on your land.

Weeds not only destroy the quality of forage your animals consume, toxic plants can be harmful to chil-dren, livestock and pets - such as deadly nightshade (which has attractive berry fruit) and poison hemlock which looks like carrot in its early stage. It’s always a good idea to inspect your property periodically and identify the plants growing on it, particularly if the property is new to you.

The following are two examples of just how harm-ful some weeds can be. Both are common which be-lies the insidiousness of their nature.

Foxtail Barley (Hordeum jubatum L.) is a native grass that grows lush in the spring and spreads rapidly. It quickly heads out, dries up and be-sides being a fire hazard, the awns of its seeds are barbed which can cause serious eye and mouth injuries in animals. They will often find their way into pet ears and, if not quickly removed, can end up buried into the ear drum. Untreated, a resul-tant infection can eventually affect the animals equi-librium.

Puncture vine (Tribulus terrestris) is a particularly nas-ty customer. Puncturevine punctures tires, feet, shoes, and mouths if mixed with animal feed. It is easily con-trolled with herbicides. The problem is, one plant with a 4’ to 6’ span has the capac-ity to produce hundreds of “burr fruit”. These burrs dry up and splint into 5 seed


packets, which in turn contain two to four seeds. The seeds stay viable in the soil for 3 to 7 years, depend-ing on circumstances. Every year they are allowed to go unchecked increases the number of years you will have to deal with them.

Proper weed identification makes it possible to de-termine the best cultural and chemical strategies for control. Once that occurs, the next step is choosing the best formulation for the intended use.

A couple excellent book resources are “Weeds of the West” and “The Field Guide to Plants Poisonous to Livestock: Western US” by Shirley A. Weathers.

HerbicidesIts important to consider the effects of herbicide

formulation because many vary in their effectiveness on weeds, the tolerance of turf and ornamentals to the formulation, undesirable residual effects, and some can be more costly without necessarily being better.

Formulation means an active ingredient (the chem-ical that actually controls the weeds) plus a carrier, such as water or oil for liquid chemicals, or clay with granular formulations. Herbicide formulations can contain other additives to enhance mixing, applica-tion and to improve adhesion and uptake by weeds.

Herbicide formulations can be target specific, such as a broadleaf formulation that will not harm grasses, or they can be a “kill-all” which kills every-thing it’s sprayed on. There are formulations that kill the target weed yet become inert when in contact with the soil. There are some, which, when sprinkled on the ground, prevents seed germination for a pe-riod of time. There are some that can remain active for a month or even years, thus preventing new weed growth.

Formulations with longer effects are considered residuals and have the potential to weaken trees and shrubs over time. A tree’s root zone is considered to extend out along the ground to the edge of the leafy canopy above, though the roots can actually extend

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well beyond that. Weed and feed products have been known to cause damage to trees planted in lawns. The effects are slow and by the time the damage is noted, the tree is usually on it’s deathbed. There are formu-lations for broadleafs that can be used safely around trees without great adversity.

Read the product label thoroughly before purchas-ing. Make sure the product will do exactly what you want it to do. It will tell you what weed it is effective on, how much to use, safety gear you may need, poi-son control information, and importantly minimum and maximum temperature for use.

Some formulations can become volatile when used above a particular temperature. This means that after spraying, high temperatures can cause the com-ponents of the liquid mixture to turn into an invis-ible gaseous state that can travel along the ground and damage non-targeted plants.

Plants can be brought to the Weedmaster’s of-fice, Wasco Co. OSU Extension, and the Wasco Co. SWCD/NRCS Office for identification. The PNW Weed Management Handbook can be found at http://weeds.ippc.orst.edu/pnw/weeds.

Wildlife ManagementBeing able to see wildlife up close and personal

is one of the draws of rural living, but that peaceful pic-ture is quickly replaced with the horror that deer are eat-ing your prize roses, the veg-etable garden, trees, shrubs, and flower beds. Your cat disap-peared and you

notice that your chicken flock is mysteriously shrink-ing. Soon, your garden has a seven foot fence around it, as do all your small trees, shrubs, and garbage can. Your chickens can no longer roam free unsupervised, your cat becomes housebound, and you’re searching for plants that deer don’t like. Welcome to the rural lifestyle!

The the most common issues that arise are with ei-ther raccoon or skunks. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) notes that most of the prob-lems associated with these animals can be avoided by following a few general guidelines. These include: • Keeping trash cans sealed

Keep all pet food indoors. If pets must be fed outdoors, remove all food in the evening.

Compost piles provide an excellent attractant. Covering or fencing the pile can help deter unwanted snackers.

Reduce denning and hiding cover. Seal around foundations to eliminate pathways, and create tight brush stacks to reduce their appeal.

Fencing out deer is really the only answer when it comes to protecting gardens and landscape plants from unwanted browsing. Trees and shrubs, once they get high enough, won’t be troubled by the occasional nibble. However, during rut, bucks can shred tree bark with their horns and can snap small saplings.

While there are plants which deer don’t particu-larly like, many of them are poisonous, so careful consideration should be taken in planting them. OSU Extension publication EC 1440 - Deer-resistant Or-namental Plants - is a good place to start your re-search. It can be found at the extension website listed under the “Resources and References.”

For Backyard Habitat enthusiasts ODFW also of-fers a comprehensive guide titled “Naturescaping” that is a must have for any gardener. It can be pur-chased from the web at www.dfw.state.or.us, click on “Store” in the left hand column.

Woodland ManagementWasco County has around 62,000 acres of land

divided between timber and grazing held in private hands. They are administered under the guidance of Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). What tim-ber isn’t privately owned is held by the US Forest Ser-vice.

Forests in Oregon, whether commercial or pri-vately owned are governed by Fire Protection Regula-tions and The Oregon Forest Practices Act (OFPA). Chapter 629 of OFPA, was adopted in 1971 to pro-tect Oregon forest resources. The act covers harvest-ing, reforestation, road construction and repair, slash disposal, chemical use, stream, lake and wetland pro-tection, as well as sensitive resources - such as bird nesting sites, and threatened and endangered species. Specifics can be found at http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/ as well as helpful information concerning tax incentives, management techniques, fire, insect and disease management, and logging.

ODF has an office in The Dalles. They can help private landowners manage their forest lands. In ad-dition to the obvious products, such as timber, wood-lands can offer other ways to create income. Special forest products such as mushrooms, nuts, berries, medicinals, and handicrafts can be cultivated or made. With research and proper management techniques forest resources can be protected and productive.

Fire is a big issue in this arid climate. Under ODF

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Caring For Your LandCaring For Your Land

General File 1-1-1-510, dtd Jul ‘98, forestland is de-fined as any “woodland, brushland, timberland, graz-ing land, or clearing, which during any time of the year, contains enough forest growth, slash or vegeta-tion to constitute, in the judgement of a forester, a fire hazard, regardless of how the land is zoned.”

ODF recommends that all forest operators con-duct a self inspection prior to conducting any forest operations. The checklist includes tools necessary for fire suppression - such as shovels, pickaxes and fire extinguishers; and equipment pre-cautions such as clear areas, spark arrestors, chainsaw use, water availability, hoses, and etc. More information can be found from ODF publication “A Guide to Legal Re-quirements for Pre-venting and Control-ling Fires by Operators Logging, Clearing, and Construction on or Near For-est Land in Oregon.”

Productive and Healthy ForestsActive management is needed to maintain a healthy

forest. Over time trees increase in size and compete for water, nutrients and sunlight. Additionally, many forest stands are much denser than they were histori-cally. Fire, once a natural reoccurring event, is no lon-ger allowed to burn through forests. It is up to the forest manager to do what fire used to. That means removing weak, diseased, damaged, and competing stands for optimum forest health,

Thinning and limbing are two important tools the landowner has to protect their forest property. Thin-ning reduces competition for water and allows trees to grow faster and stronger and reduces incidences of disease. Limbing, slash removal and eliminating dis-

Agricultural Water Quality Management

The 1972 Federal Clean Water Act was developed to clean up water pollution from human activities. Water quality can be affected by a variety of human activities including forestry, wastewater treatment plants, industry, storm water and agricultural runoff.

In 1993 the Oregon Legislature passed the Agricultural Water Quality Management Act, also known as Senate Bill 1010 (SB 1010). SB 1010 requires the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) to help reduce water pollution from agricultural sourc-es, thus improving water conditions in watersheds through the state.

The Federal Clean Water Act requires testing and listing of waterways which do not meet water qual-ity standards. The Department of Environmental

Important Things to Know

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Photo Credit - ODF Staff

eased trees limits fuel availability. Fires happen. The task is to ensure that the forest is healthy and strong enough to withstand it.

With any fuels reduction program, there is a loss of wildlife habitat. However, all is not lost as an ODF forester can help you to recreate habitat that will not only satisfy the needs of wildlife but also be less of a fire hazard.


Quality (DEQ) in Oregon was tasked to develop standards designed to protect beneficial uses of water such as agriculture, recreation, fisheries, and drink-ing water supplies. DEQ has identified many streams throughout Oregon that do not meet water quality standards.

DEQ has developed Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) which represent the amount of pollution a body of water can absorb from a variety of sources and still meet water quality standards.

Who is Involved with SB 1010?ODA and county Soil and Water Conservation

Districts (SWCDs) identified 39 watershed based Ag-ricultural Water Quality Management Areas (AWQ-MA) across the state. With the assistance of ODA Water Quality Planners, SWCDs that were selected to oversee an AWQMA identified local farmers, ranch-ers, and community leaders to serve on a Local Ad-visory Committee (LAC). Each LAC identifies water quality problems and opportunities for improvement in their respective areas. The result is an Agricultural Water Quality Management Area Plan (AWQMAP). Once approved by Oregon’s Board of Agriculture, it becomes a guide by which agricultural water quality issues are addressed.

The Lower Deschutes AWQMA encompasses Wasco County and part of Sherman County. The Natural Resource Division of ODA administers the program throughout Oregon.

What Can Be Done To Help Keep Water Clean?

Every farmer, rancher grower, homeowner, and hobbyist is asked to do his/her part to help solve wa-ter pollution problems. This means identifying poten-tial sources such as: bacteria and nutrient runoff from animal waste, soil erosion from crop and pasture lands, irrigation, commercial fertilizer and sediment runoff, removal or reduction in riparian vegetation, and improper fertilizer and pesticide use; and taking steps to eradicate them.

Over 90% of seeded cropland in Wasco County is direct seed. This means the ground is no longer tilled, so topsoil stays on the land. New spray technology combined with GPS guidance systems reduces chem-ical inputs onto the land while pasture and manure management is helping to reduce runoff issues. Many producers are establishing riparian buffer systems un-der farm bill programs. These vegetative buffers help filter toxins, hold soil in place, shade the water, and provide wildlife habitat. Irrigators are capturing tail water and/or converting to more efficient irrigation systems which not only conserves water but also re-duces potential runoff conditions.

Does SB 1010 Tell Me How?The AWQMAP addresses issues unique to its

area and presents possible solutions and options that could be taken to solve a particular situation. How the issue is addressed on the ground is up to the indi-vidual. The important thing is that the problem gets solved and management practices implemented. For instance, if someone stores manure near a stream and runoff is allowed to run unchecked into it, this would be considered a water quality issue. While SWCDs are not regulatory nor enforcement agencies, they are of-ten called upon to offer assistance when a complaint is filed with ODA. It is totally up to the individual whether or not to accept the assistance offered.

Is SB 1010 Enforced?ODA works first with landowners on a voluntary

basis to solve problems through education and tech-nical assistance. Those who are asked to solve a prob-lem but continually refuse to do so could be subject to enforcement action including civil penalties.

Where To Learn MoreA copy of the Lower Deschutes AWQMAP can

be found at the district’s web site at www.wasco.oacd.org. This article information was extracted from ODA’s “Water Quality and Agriculture” brochure on SB 1010. More information on SB 1010 can be found at www.oda.state.or.us.


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RecreationBeing centrally located, you’ll find that Wasco

County has plenty of opportunity for recreation.

☼ Mount Hood to the west provides the winter sports enthusiast with downhill and cross country ski-ing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. In the summer it provides climbing, hiking, backpacking, trail riding, and camping opportunities.

☼ To the south - rock climbers everywhere find that Smith Rock in Madras a suitable challenge to their skills. For indoor and outdoor family fun the Confed-erated Tribes of Warm Springs features a full service hotel and casino as well as family friendly outdoor activities such as camping and water fun.

☼ The Deschutes River to the east is an excellent fly fishing destination as well as being the place to go for river rafting, kayaking, swimming, and camping.

☼ The Columbia River to the north offers the best in windsurfing, kite boarding and sail boating experiences. Not to mention steelhead fishing and speed boating. Hikers will love the many places hid-den among the steep rock faces that feature waterfalls and breathtaking vistas. Naturalists will revel in the fleeting blooms of native flora.

☼ Additionally, there are wineries and brewer-ies galore up and down the gorge for the discerning taste-meister. There are also a wide variety of festi-vals which celebrate everything from moments in his-tory, various art styles, to seasonal agricultural har-vests such as orchard and vine fruit, berries and grain.

BicyclingBicycling as a sport and as transportation has

gained in popularity. Wasco County is no exception when it comes to bicycling enthusiasts.

Bicyclists in farm country need to be acutely alert. Understand that farmers have been traveling those roads for decades hauling heavy farm equipment and agricultural commodities and bicyclists have never been part of that landscape. Increased recreational bi-

cyclists on roads typically driven only by farmers and the occasional sightseer is becoming a major safety is-sue. There is definitely a need for increased awareness for both parties. The following excerpts from Oregon Statues are presented to clarify the duties and respon-sibilities of both the driver and the bicyclist.

Under Oregon Revised Statue (ORS) 814.400 (1) Every person riding a bicycle upon a public way is subject to the same rights and duties as the driver of any other vehicle operating on highways. (3) These provisions do not relieve the motorist or bicyclist of the responsibility to exercise due care.

ORS 814.400(b) “...the driver of an overtaken ve-hicle shall give way to the right in favor of an overtak-ing vehicle and shall not increase speed until passed by the overtaking vehicle.”

ORS 814.430 (1) An offense of improper use of lanes by a bicycle is committed if the person is op-erating a bicycle on a roadway at less than normal speed of traffic and the person does not ride as close as practical to the right curb or edge of the roadway. Exceptions to paragraph 1 includes: unless to avoid road edge debris, parked cars, passing, or when on a bicycle lane or path. Paragraph 2(e) also specifies: When operating a bicycle along side not more than one other bicycle, as long as both bicycles are be-ing operated in a single lane and in a manner which does not impede normal movement of traffic. Which means if your riding two abreast and a car is coming, move into a single file.

ORS 811.065(a) requires a safe passing buffer be-tween the vehicle and the bicycle. The safe distance being factored by leaving enough room should the bi-cyclist fall over into traffic. Bicyclists are also required to give appropriate hand signals when stopping, turn-ing, or changing lanes. When on a sidewalk they are required to obey the same laws as pedestrians.

Stay alert, stay safe and know your rights, duties and responsibilities. Visit http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/BIKEPED/laws_regs.shtml.

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Photograph courtesy Wasco Co. Road Dept.

Rural RoadsWasco County Public Works

Road Division is responsible for the construction and maintenance of 697 miles of roadway (300 miles are paved), 124 bridges, hundreds of culverts, and a myri-ad of other related items, such as signs and guardrail. Road mainte-nance activities involve pavement maintenance, gravel road grading, ditch and culvert cleaning, road brushing, snow and ice removal, bridge, and sign maintenance.

Their main facility is located in The Dalles. There are also four satellite district facilities located near Mosier, Dufur, Wamic, and Antelope. The road net-work is divided into these five maintenance districts.

The Department is built on the premise of main-taining the current county road system. The reality of operating a system of paved and gravel roads within a constrained budget precludes being able to pave ev-ery county road. That said, the road department staff is dedicated to do their best to cost-effectively main-tain both the paved roads and gravel roads.

The following are some answers to frequently asked questions by people new to the county as well as long time residents. (This applies only to the County Road Department).

How do I get my road improved?A Local Improvement District (LID) can assist

you with improving the road in front of your home. An LID is a district created by a local government (Wasco County) to raise the cost of public improve-ments (roads) from the owners that will benefit from the improvements. Call, write, or visit Wasco County Public Works office for further information.

What is a road vacation?A vacation is a legal abandonment, or reduction

in size or status, of a public right-of-way (including

a county road). You have the right to request a vacation if the road or right-of-way is on or abutts your property. You may file the Petition with Wasco County.

Why are you paving that road? “Don’t you know that this other road is in a lot worse condition?”

Road paving decisions are made based on many dif-

ferent factors. The primary factor is the condition of the road segment. Some road segments are in “poor” condition and shouldn’t be paved over. These road segments must be reconstructed. Paving a road that may look pretty good extends the life of the road seg-ment at a much lower cost than reconstruction.

Why won’t the Road Department fix my road?Only those roads accepted by the County Court

for county maintenance will be maintained. If we are not maintaining your road, then it may be a “local ac-cess” road, private road, city street, or state highway.

What is a “local access” road?“Local Access Road” means a public road that is

not a state highway, county, or federal road.

Snow Response


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Snow plowing will begin when the snow depth reaches six inches or more on the roads. However, plows may be sent out when the slush exceeds four inches. Under normal conditions the work crews begin plowing at a p p r o x i -mately 4:00 a.m., but this can vary un-der extreme conditions. A r t e r i a l roads with bus and mail routes are the first to be cleared, then crews proceed to collector and lo-cal roads and also to widen arterials, then finally to non-County public access roads when manpower is available.

Priorities for PlowingWhen snow and ice removal is necessary, first

priority will be to open all county arterial roads, and bus and mail routes. This will allow a uniform traffic pattern throughout the county. Secondary priority is given to county collector and local roads and widen-ing of arterials. Third priority is given to non-County local access roads as manpower is available.

Non-county access roads on an emergency or lower priority basis, but not until the previously mentioned areas have been plowed and manpower is available.

Sanding and de-icingSanding and de-icing will be implemented on ar-

terial roads, bus and mail routes as determined nec-essary by the Road Superintendent and/or Sheriff ’s Department.


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A Note About ImprovementsIt is beyond the scope of this handbook to

detail every situation in which a permit might be required. Visit Wasco County Planning web-site or their office for definitive answers.

The following are a sampling of activities that may require permits, warrant special at-tention, or may be governed by specific rules defining what can or cannot be done and how its to be done.

• Creating Parcels - the division of exist-ing parcels. This definitely requires permitting and the parcel’s zoning will provide a clue on how easy or hard it will be to divide. Certain zones require a minimum number of acres in the parcel size.

• Setbacks - distance of buildings from property lines, roads, buffers along wetlands and waterways, signs, septic and drainfield placement, etc.

• Fire Standards - Fire standards apply to all rural zones, but different standards apply depending on the zone. Forest zones have spe-cific requirements due to fire risk. Guidelines govern setbacks, driveways, positioning of the home and other structures in relation to the landscape (i.e. on hillsides), as well as to the proximity of the trees.

• Construction - Permits are required for new buildings or improvements, even decks and outbuildings.

• National Scenic Area - In addition to County Planning ordinances, the National Sce-nic Area has another set of requirements that govern everything from the color and size of structures, decks, roads and driveways, to the placement of elements within the landscape - such as trees and shrubs. For more informa-tion: http://www.gorgecommission.org/

Wasco County Planninghttp://co.wasco.or.us/planning/wcordinance.html

Article by Marty Matherly, Wasco County Road Department Superintendent.

Visit their website for more information on their road policies. http://www.co.wasco.or.us/publicworks/default.html.

References and Resources

About Wasco County - Oregon Blue Book - http://bluebook.state.or.us/local/counties/counties33.htm

The Oregon Trail - Oregon Trail Map - Mike Trin-klein creator Oregon Trail Website http://www.isu.edu/%7Etrinmich/Oregontrail.html

Historical InformationBarlow Road - www.isu.edu/%7Etrinmich/Oregon-trail.htmlWamic - www.wasco-history.r9esd.k12.or.us/comm/wamic.htmlMaupin - www.a2zgorge.info/community/towns/maupin.htmShaniko - www.ghosttowns.com/states/or/shaniko.htmlBuying Country Property - Wasco County Planning & Development Office - http://co.wasco.or.us/plan-ning/wcordinance.html

Columbia Gorge Commission - http://www.gorge-commission.org/

Jackson Co. SWCD Rural Living Handbook - http://www.jswcd.org/Page.asp?NavID=18

Hood River SWCD Rural Living Handbook - www.hoodriverswcd.org/HRRLH.htm

Fire Protection - Living With Fire - A Guide for the Homeowner, PNW Wildfire Coordinating Group - www.firewise.org, www.oregon.gov/ODF/

Gardening, Orchards, Agricultural Interests - http://extension.oregonstate.edu/wasco

Manure Management - Researched by Shilah Ol-son, source: Oregon’s Ag Water Quality Rules www.oda.state.or.us. and NRCS. www.nrcs.usda.gov

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Special thanks is extended to Jackson and Hood River County SWCDs for allowing us to use critical information; Marty Matherly from Wasco County Road Department for use of the great picture of the snow plow; staff at Oregon Department of Forestry for the great picture from the ball point fire; and all the reviewers for their patience and input.

Recreation - www.a2zgorge.info

Bicycling - http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/BIKEPED/laws.regs.shtml

Soil Quality - National Association of Conservation Districts Soil and Water Stewardship Week educa-tion materials - http://www.nacdnet.org/education/resources/soils/ and USDA NRCS - www.nrcs.usda.gov

Water Management - www.oregon.gov/OWRD/

Wildlife Management - www.dfw.state.or.us/con-servationstrategy/docs/LandownerBroch_08_Sin-gle_Pgs.pdf

Woodland Management - http://egov.oregon.gov/ODF/

Ag Water Quality - www.oda.state.or.us and AWQ-MAP Wasco County - www.wasco.oacd.org

Rural Roads, Wasco County Public Works Depart-ment - www.co.wasco.or.us/publicworks/default.html

Compilation, layout, design and editing by Tammy Tripp, Office Administrator, Wasco County SWCD. Except where noted, photography by Tammy Tripp, Shilah Olson and Dusty Eddy.

A List of Pesky Acronyms Commonly Used

AWQMAP - Agricultural Water Quality Manage-ment Area PlanOACD - Oregon Association of Conservation DistrictsODF - Oregon Department of ForestryODFW - Oregon Department of Fish and Wild-lifeOSU - Oregon State UniversitySWCD - Soil and Water Conservation DistrictUSDA NRCS - United States Department of Agri-culture Natural Resources Conservation Service

Soil Conservation ServiceThe federal Soil Conservation Service, under the

US Department of Agriculture, was created in re-sponse to Congress’s call for soil and water conserva-tion. In turn, conservation districts were created to be a focal point for coordinating and delivering technical assistance and funding at the local level.

Today, there are over 3000 SWCDs nationwide who are still working in concert with the USDA Nat-ural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to con-serve soil and water and other natural resources.

Wasco County SWCDWasco Co. SWCD traces its roots to Nov 1942

when the first soil conservation district was formed in south Wasco County. By 1947, 3 districts covered the county: Southern, Central, & Northern. In 1973 they consolidated into a single district whose boundaries matched those of the county’s. Early work by the dis-tricts included land leveling and irrigation.

A Soil & Water Conservation District Is Not

-A federal, county, or state agency.-A regulatory or enforcement agency -An environmental or activist group

. A Soil & Water Conservation District IS:

1. A local unit of government or special district under Oregon law.

2. Administered by a volunteer, elected Board of Directors comprised of qualified local landowners and citizens.

3. Authorized to provide assistance to all district farmers, ranchers, citizens, as well as county, state and

federal agencies, upon request.4. Committed to serving all members of the com-

munity without discrimination.

The Board of DirectorsThe conservation district is governed by a locally

elected board of directors who serve without pay. Their term of office is 4 years and there are 7 posi-tions - 5 zone directors and 2 At-Large. The board meets the first Wednesday of each month. The board approves projects, budgets, work plans, agreements, conservation plans and sets policy.

The District Manager implements the wishes of the board in the day to day operation of the conser-vation district. The manager oversees staff, general office operations, financial management, contracts, and ensures adherence to applicable regulations.

What are Director Qualifications?A Zone Director must:

Either reside within the district or Zone repre-sented, or own or actively manage more than 10 acres of land within that zone.

Reside with the boundaries and be a registered voter.

In lieu of other requirements, an individual may also serve as a zone director when they: reside within the represented zone, serve at least one year as an associate director, and have a conservation plan ap-proved by the district.

At-large directors must live with in the boundaries of the district and be registered voters.

A Historical PerspectiveThe year was 1930: the event, an ecological disaster of epic proportion known as the great Dust Bowl.

Winds, racing across drought stricken, over-cropped bare land, picked up tons of prime topsoil and carried it high into the air, where it grew into a great boiling black mass that blotted out the sun and swallowed the countryside. The devastation in terms of

human suffering, ecological, and economic ruin almost crushed the nation. In response, US Congress declared the conservation of the nation’s soil and water a national policy priority.

The mission of the Wasco Co. SWCD is to: “Work cooperatively with others to promote and encour-

age conservation and wise use of natural resources.”

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Wasco County SWCD

Wasco County SWCD is an equal opportunity employer.

$3.00

Wasco County Rural Living Handbook

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