Applegate Valley Community Forum
Minutes:  January 15, 2003, Ruch Library, 6:30pm

Meeting opened at 6:30pm by Facilitator, Jack Duggan.  Introductions, meeting standards, and agenda review.

Minutes:  Notes of the last Community Forum meeting (Oct. 2002) were taken by Gary Swanson and are posted 
on AVCF’s link on grayback.com.   Jack verbally reported on that meeting which featured our state legislators 
reporting on the legislative session.

Treasurer’s Report:  Dick Goble reported a balance of $519.64 in the Forum treasury and said he made library 
pledge payments for the Ruch and Applegate Libraries.  

Applegate Dam Hydropower Proposal:  A recent Mail Tribune article stirred the hydropower pot, which the Forum 
will continue to monitor.  Jack reviewed the process to date.  

Symbiotics (a subsidiary of NW Power Services, based in Rigby, Idaho) has released a Stage One Consultation 
Document; copies of it will be in the Applegate and Ruch Libraries or can be seen and downloaded at 
http://www.symbioticsenergy.com   Look for the Applegate Reservoir Hydroelectric Project, FERC #11910.  

The only recent change to the proposed project is that Symbiotics has moved to a formal filing.  Discussion 
ensued with information and answers coming from Jack, Jim Buck (Army Corps of Engr), Daniel Newberry 
(Applegate River Watershed Council), and others knowledgeable about this or other projects.  

Some of the questions raised:
·	Location of the transmission lines (Jack says Pacific Power has no intention of letting their right-of-way 
be used.)  A 100’ wide transmission will be needed.
·	Has the EMF (electromagnetic field) been addressed?  Jack said not yet and added that there’s no scientific 
conclusion to date about the connection between the EMF field and cancer.
·	Can eminent domain be invoked (to acquire the transmission land)?
·	Where will the power go?   Sold and added to the power grid.
·	Concerns about noise (raised by someone living near the proposed generation site).  Jack said they could go 
to FERC and file as an intervener.
·	Impacts on the river flow?  Jim Buck, Corps of Engr, said the project would not affect the Applegate River 
flow and that it would not affect the water temperature, either (within a degree or two).
·	Question about transmission pole height:  Daniel Newberry said the poles would be 5’ taller than current ones.  
Pat Bates said she was told they would be 10’ higher.
·	Question:  why do it and concerns about impacts on the river and wildlife.  Jack talked about the need for 
energy – a global issue.
·	Question about the profit for Symbiotics; would they be paying anybody?  Jim Buck said FERC would assess a 
fee that would probably go into the General Fund (U.S. Treasury).
·	Question of the Forum’s filing as an intervener:

·	Visual impact/s of the transmission line and right-of-way?

Some additional comments:
·	Pat Bates thanked Jim Buck for coming and asked that we invite Ken Homolke, Or. Dept. Fish and Wildlife 
(he couldn’t make it this evening, but said he’d be happy to come in the future).  
·	Daniel Newberry reminded all that this is a long process:  3 stages of consultation prepare an EIS 
(Environmental Impact Statement), go through the licensing process.  Daniel said the public can participate in all 
these levels.  He added that it may be fall before they get to the 2nd state consultation.  ]
·	Jack Duggan suggested that people read Sec. 3, Environmental Setting, in the 1st State Consultation for a very 
good description of the Applegate.

The hydropower project will continue to be an issue the Forum monitors, so stay tuned.

Ballot Measure 30 (the tax surcharge measure):  Dr. Allen Douma, a physician and a correspondent for AARP who is very 
familiar with the measure, joined us to help us think about and its major issues.  His clear and informative presentation 
included a suggested decision process for voting:
·	Do I trust my elected officials to be wise enough/not have a vested interest to have made a good decision?
·	Look at the assessments for the services that are provided.
·	Look at the benefits to the Oregon economy – will this be good for Oregon?  Do we want to lose the $400 million 
in federal money we’ll forfeit if Meas. 30 fails?  The tax causes an increase in spending during the recovery period.

Allen answered people’s questions and talked of our future tax system challenges because Oregon’s economic fluctuation 
is greater because income fluctuates so much and because we have one of the least progressive tax systems currently.  

Pat Gordon requested that the Forum offer tax reform discussion/s in the future. 

Southern Oregon Calling Region:  Jack presented an update: the PUC is evaluating the rates currently.  Check the website 
for info:  notoll.org   The new EAS Extended Area Service) should be implemented in Oct. 2004   

Announcements:
·	Film Sunday:  Uncovered: the Truth about the Iraq War (4pm, Ruch Library, presented by the Applegate Citizens for 
Political Change, see Marvin for more).
·	Voices of the Applegate is looking for more songsters; see Marvin or Pat.
·	Measure 30 signs stolen: reported by Dan Davis.  A subversion of freedom of speech and theft as well (also a 
sad comment on our community: editor)

Break for refreshments – need energy to carry on!



Land Use Issues
·	Bill Porter:  Thompson Creek/Hwy 238 intersection safety issues.  Bill showed map/photos and shared a proposal 
for increasing the intersection’s safety.  Need to contact the county re.  Keep us posted.
·	Dolores Lisman presented an update about the Copeland Aggregate issue (the Hearings Officer approved the 
floodplain review but denied the CUP); expect a LUBA appeal.  
·	CUP for a Winery just west of Ruch: comment period just ended, but if you’re interested get in touch with the 
county: File #COS-003-00090.
·	Land Development Ordinance: Jackson County adopted it this last month. Forum wrote a letter concerning a 
floodplain discrepancy.  The new “Rural Use” designation is still being debated.  Stay tuned.  
·	ACF: it’s now been a full year since ACF’s last floodplain review application.  A new submission that will 
include ACF’s main amphitheater is anticipated before long (they have a new engineer).  More to come…..

Bylaws: Dolores and Pat presented copies of the recently revised and adopted AVCF Bylaws.  Comments invited (in writing, 
please).  

More announcements:  Martin Luther King Day!

Future Agenda Items:
·	Set up a committee for the Hydropower issue (Dan Davis)
·	State and county taxation (Jess Hicks)
·	O&C lands: fuel reduction needs (Gayle Ellison)
·	Land Conference?  Land and ownership.  O&C lands return to the state? (Gayle Ellison)
·	Renewable NW Project would like to attend the Forum; would we welcome their presentation about renewable energy?   
Folks said yes, so we’ll schedule for March…..

Adjournment: 9:25pm

Attendance:  
·	Headcount:_________
·	Register signers:  29



Notes wearily submitted by Pat Gordon