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The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center in The Dalles highlights the natural beauty of the surrounding area, along with the rich heritage of the Gorge. This Oregon Solutions team, will work with federal, state and local partners to improve the governance structure of the Columbia Gorge Discover Center and develop a collaborative business model to sustain the Center.
An Oregon Solutions team will develop an integrated plan for completion and maintenance of a bike/pedestrian trail and bridge along Historic Columbia River Highway, including a new bike/pedestrian bridge over Mosier Creek. This project will help to enhance local recreation and create a better connection to the Columbia River.
This planning process will pull together stakeholders representing all elements of the Deschutes County population to discuss transportation issues and collectively arrive at solutions using existing transportation services that the entire stakeholder group can support.
The Sherman County School District and other partners are planning to build a new, separate 7,000+ square foot building for the County Library to serve the 1800 residents in the community.
A collaborative governance approach to develop multiple alternative energy resources at and around Christmas Valley.
This project supports forest health with a management plan for ecological restoration of the forest while also creating an opportunity for economic growth in the area.
The Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council created the Central Oregon Partnerships for Wildfire Risk Reduction (COPWRR), an advisory council of 22 stakeholders to build partnerships to restore and sustain Central Oregon forests and communities.
COPWRR has identified the lack of coordinated, sustainable supply of small diameter timber as the primary barrier to investments in small diameter-utilizing technology and employment in the region. These investments will bring a number of benefits to Central Oregon communities.
A number of organizations, local officials, and state and federal agencies are working together to explore opportunities with the significant fossil beds near Fossil. The specific projects associated with this effort include:
- the conversion of the Fossil High School into a paleontological visitor's center
- educational programming around sustainable ranching and stream restoration on the Pine Creek Ranch - lands acquired by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
- the development of a $8.3 million National Park Service interpretive center near John Day
These projects would develop a market for educational tourism in the area, create jobs, and reinforce community partnerships. The project is convened by Judge Jeanne Burch and by Oregon Solutions project staff Peter Dobert and Lyn Craig.
This project focuses on transforming an underutilized school building into an economic and community asset for the City of Rufus. The team is exploring green building techniques in its renovation and connecting the project to other sustainability efforts in the Lower John Day region. The project is convened by Sandy Macnab, OSU Extension Agent for Sherman County, and by Oregon Solutions project staff Stu Watson.
Public transportation is a problem facing most rural communities, and Jefferson County is no exception. The lack of transit options affects employers, those individuals without the means to afford a vehicle, and elderly or disabled people that are unable to drive.
Jefferson County, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council, and The Central Oregon Partnership (among others) have been meeting on a regular basis since November 2002 to explore transit options.
The Oregon Sustainability Board has designated seven Sustainable Schools projects, including the Prairie City Sustainable School project. Prairie City School, a K-12 facility located in rural Grant County is undertaking a sustainable beautification effort in combination with a larger community revitalization effort in Prairie City.
The school plans to landscape its grounds using sustainable practices to help conserve water and save money. The school also plans to repaint its facility using environmentally safe products. The Oregon Solutions Team will work to integrate community resources and support economic, social and environmental objectives. Convening the project are Sandy Murray and Oregon Solutions project staff Sharon Fritsch.
Oregon Solutions is partnering with Bridge to Hope Ministries, an organization in Deschutes County that helps incarcerated women make healthy and productive transitions from jail back to their communities.
The purpose of this project to convene all public and private stakeholders working with female inmates and ex-inmates in Central Oregon, in order to enhance and expand aftercare for these vulnerable women. The outcome of the effort will be an integrated and community-based network of services and supports for women leaving incarceration to re-integrate into their communities as productive citizens. Convening the project are Judge Alta Brady and Oregon Solutions project staff Jeremy Hays.
- Declaration of Cooperation: Bridge to Hope
 [pdf]
This project was accomplished in partnership between several farmers in Sherman County, Northwest Wind, several state and federal agencies, the Audubon Society and BPA. This project demonstrated the ability of the Oregon Solutions process to expedite permitting requirements by addressing possible opposition early on.
Key concerns about raptor mortality were resolved through open communication with the Audubon Society and early ODFW and USFW involvement. Northwest Wind has expressed interest in partnering with Oregon Solutions again on future wind energy projects. Convening the Wind Farm project is Judge Mike McArthur of Sherman County and Oregon Solutions project staff Merrisue Carlson.
The Opportunity Foundation of Central Oregon supports Central Oregonians with disabilities in finding and maintaining meaningful employment, enjoying safe and comfortable homes and working towards personal goals. Oregon Solutions is helping the Opportunity Foundation site a new facility in Madras, the first and only vocational training program for adults with disabilities in Jefferson County.
Convening the project are Eric Alexander, Director of the St. Charles Medical Foundation, Bill Houts, Senator Beverly Clarno and Oregon Solutions project staff Lyn Youngbar.
- Plan for the Opportunity Foundation [jpg]
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