Spring Forward!

Updates, Opportunities, & Events

We would like to share some things we are excited about!

• an interesting class
• community happenings you may like to be a part of 
• updates and another chance at the Homeowner interest form
• a couple of things happening at the State and Federal levels
• a BONUS!

What's up With the Watershed?

Quite a bit, actually!

There are several interesting events coming up about our lovely Dorena Watershed that our community may find valuable.

Tuesday, March 25, 5:00 - 7:00 pm  SCIENCE ON TAP:  Cerro Gordo, The First Fifty Years,  sponsored by Coast Fork Willamette Watershed Council Axe and Fiddle, CG Nestled in the foothills of Oregon's Cascade Mountain Range, Cerro Gordo is currently a collection of 13 homes and families organized as a cooperative, with access to conservation easements consisting of 1,000 acres of mountains, meadows, forests, and creeks. The entire site sits above Dorena Reservoir just outside of of Cottage Grove.    This class will be talking about the history of the area, and we hope to hear about Fire Recovery after the 2024 fire and the Conservation Easement established with MacKenzie River Trust. Check into their website for more about Cerro Gordo

But wait, there's more..!  Happening NOW Help Shape the Future of Cottage Grove and Dorena Reservoirs   The U.S. Army Corps of Engineer  is inviting community members to participate in shaping the future of land management at Cottage Grove and Dorena reservoirs this coming week in person, and online until April 14th.

They will be holding three in-person public meetings in Springfield, Creswell, and Cottage Grove to learn about the draft 2025 Master Plan (MP) and Environmental Assessment (EA), share your input, and be part of the conversation. 

Row River Valley Residents will no doubt be affected by upcoming changes, if you are curious, this may be interesting.

A virtual meeting is also available for those who want to review the draft MP and EA, though comments will not be collected online.

This is your chance to contribute to the management of recreational, natural, and cultural resources, as well as efforts to protect local wildlife and control invasive species. Don’t miss this opportunity to make a difference!

USACE will present the draft 2025 MP and EA at one virtual and three in-person public meetings.
Written comments will be accepted at in-person meetings.

• Thursday • March 13, 2025 • 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm
  Willamalane Adult Activity Center, Cascade Room
  215 West C Street, Springfield, OR 97477
• Thursday • March 13, 2025 • 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
  Creswell Middle School, Cafeteria
  655 West Oregon Avenue, Creswell, OR 97426
• Saturday • March 15, 2025 • 9:30 am – 11:30 am
  Cottage Grove Community Center, Reception Hall Room
  700 East Gibbs Avenue, Cottage Grove, OR 97424
• Wednesday • March 19, 2025 • 1:00 – 2:30 pm
  Online virtual meeting (Comments are not being taken in the virtual meeting).
  Meeting login info will be posted on March 18 at www.nwp.usace.army.mil/MasterPlans.

The draft 2025 MP and EA is available for public review on the USACE project website at: www.nwp.usace.army.mil/MasterPlans.

The 30-day public comment period will begin on March 12th, 2025, and end on April 14th, 2025.

Homeowner Interest Form

For the nearly one hundred families that already signed up, we will be in touch shortly! We are working on assessment dates and will let you know when these will be happening as soon as we know.

For those of you who haven't yet signed up for assistance with wildfire mitigation, GOOD NEWS! There's still time!

FREE DEFENSIBLE SPACE CLEARING!

The State of Oregon Department of Forestry has identified 'High Hazard Zones' in Wildland-Urban Interface areas, including our community. With nearly all our residents living in moderate to high zones, it’s more important than ever to take steps toward wildfire prevention.

Thanks to grant funds we’ve secured, we’re offering free defensible space clearing for interested homeowners. This program is voluntary, and filling out our online interest form places you on our list to be considered for funding. While we cannot guarantee funding for all applicants this year, your information will be kept for future opportunities.

How It Works:

1. Complete the Homeowner Interest Form – There’s no obligation, and it takes just a few minutes.
2. We’ll Contact You – If selected, we’ll reach out to schedule an assessment.
3. Stay on the List – If we can’t assist this year, you’ll remain on our list for future funding.

Why Participate?

Defensible space is the buffer you create between your home and the brush, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area that surrounds it.

 Proper defensible space can slow or stop the spread of wildfire 

and help protect your home, and contributes to the safety of our entire community.

Volunteer Fire Fighter Tax Credit

Volunteer firefighters play a critical role in protecting our communities, often risking their lives to keep us safe. To show our appreciation and support for these everyday heroes, Oregon is considering 

HB 3150, a bill that would provide much-needed tax credits to volunteer firefighters.

Read more about House Bill 3150

This legislation recognizes the invaluable service volunteer firefighters provide and helps ease the financial burden many of them face while performing their duties. By offering tax credits, we can encourage 

more individuals to step into these essential roles and continue safeguarding our communities.

 

How You Can Help
We urge you to support this important initiative. 

Please take a moment to write to Representative Thuy Tran and express your support for HB 3150. Let her know how much our community values and depends on our volunteer firefighters.

If you would like to write your own personal message
Email: Rep.ThuyTran@oregonlegislature.gov

or feel free to copy and paste into an email

from the text below.

Support for HB 3150 – Tax Credits for Volunteer Firefighters

Dear Representative Thuy Tran,

I am writing to express my strong support for HB 3150, which would provide tax credits to volunteer firefighters. This bill is an important step toward recognizing the selfless dedication of these individuals who risk their lives to protect our communities.

Volunteer firefighters are the backbone of emergency response in many areas, especially rural and underserved regions. Despite the critical services they provide, they often face significant personal financial burdens. By offering tax credits, HB 3150 not only acknowledges their vital contributions but also provides an incentive to recruit and retain these essential volunteers.

This legislation will help ensure the sustainability of volunteer fire departments, which are crucial for public safety in Oregon. I urge you to support HB 3150 and advocate for its passage during this legislative session.

Thank you for your time and for considering this important matter.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address or City, Optional]
[Your Contact Information, Optional]

Feeling old school? 

Here's a link to a printable document for you to fill out and mail to: 

Representative Thuy Tran

900 Court St. NE, H-285 

Salem, Oregon 97301

Congratulations! 

You made it all the way to the last item! You must be interested in wildfire mitigation! Let's look into a recent piece of legislation nearly over the finish line.

Fix Our Forest Act

The Fix Our Forests Act aims to help address the forest management side of the problem. It includes provisions to restore forest health, increase resiliency to catastrophic wildfires, and build fire-safety defenses for communities in high-risk areas, such as the Row River Valley. At the end of January, this bi-partisan bill passed in the House and has moved onto the Senate.

Here is the whole process all mapped out: Fix Our Forest. This government webpage will let you know where it is in the process, and how it's going. Here's another link for one one interpretation, and if you care to look, there are many articles out there on the pros & cons.

BONUS!!!!

New RRFR team member, Laura Bee, has an art show up for the month of March at Slabtown 518 Main St., Cottage Grove. Part of the proceeds will be donated to Row River Fire Response!  

If you have a chance, grab a coffee and check out her work.

Little Things

Collage Paintings