BCC Approved Findings of Fact for Processing Facility, Favored All Department Business
The Board of Commissioners approved the findings of fact regarding the appeal of a decision approving a processing facility in Cave Junction at today's workshop. Following an executive session where attorney's provided the board an update on the Stephen Eric Fitch v. Josephine County et al case, the workshop was held at 1:30 p.m. in consideration of department business. Commissioner Gary Richardson moved that the board approve the appeal of the decision to approve the facility at 2581 Dick George Road with the criteria presented. A public notice of the board's decision will be drafted and mailed to all participating neighbors of the stated property. Pending any appeals after 21 days, the applicant may proceed with development of the processing facility. The motion passed unanimously. The board approved 3-0 the signing of a a Seedling Growing Service Contract from the Forestry department with Weyerhaeuser NR Company, where $120,280 would be utilized for the planting of about 190,000 seedlings on County lands. Also approved, pending the project's completion and utilization of ARPA funds, was Recreation's request to sign for a restroom unit for Whitehorse Park.
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Pacific Power Foundation Awards $56,000 to Southern Oregon Organizations
The Pacific Power Foundation is proud to support 13 Southern Oregon organizations working to protect the environment and strengthen their communities. Funding will help provide hands-on outdoor education for students, expand volunteer initiatives and support career training programs that create opportunities for the community. Out of the 13 recipients, both the Central Point Little League and the Parks and Recreation Foundation received $2,000. The City of Shady Cove received $2,000, while $5,000 went to Habitat for Humanity Rogue Valley in Medford. Other recipients included The Illinois Valley Fire Resiliency Oversight Group, The Oregon Center for Creative Learning in Medford, and the Josephine County Foundation in Murphy, the latter of which received $8,000. These funds were awarded through the Pacific Power Foundation’s Community Enhancement and Environmental Respect grant cycle. Organizations interested in applying for the Foundation’s next grant cycle, Safety and Wellness, may apply by December 15th.
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IFPL Decreasing to Level 1, Moderate Fire Danger Remains
Continued cooler conditions have prompted a decrease in the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) across Jackson and Josephine counties. At 12:01 a.m. this morning, September 28, 2026, the IFPL on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District decreased from Level 2 to Level 1. The public fire danger level will remain “moderate”. This change affects 1.8 million acres of state, private, county, city and Bureau of Land Management forestlands in Jackson and Josephine counties. The primary change with this decrease applies to industrial operations. Public fire prevention restrictions are not changing with this decrease. Moderate fire danger restrictions remain in effect, including restrictions on the use of power-driven equipment, grinding, cutting of metal and other spark-emitting equipment between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. daily. Outdoor debris burning also remains prohibited.
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