[OR_Archaeology] OPRD & OECDD seek comments on admin rules for governing cultural efforts

[Susan White]

COMMENTS SOUGHT ON RULE CHANGES

Both the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department are accepting comments on administrative rules governing cultural efforts. 

The OPRD will accept public testimony on a master plan for managing Iwetemlaykin State Heritage Site, formerly known as Marr Ranch, at a state rule hearing March 25 in Enterprise. The hearing, which will begin at 6 p.m. in the Tomas Conference Room, 309 S. River, is part of the process of adopting a state park master plan as an Oregon Administrative Rule. OPRD will accept written comments on the draft master plan for a 30-day period following the hearing. Titled "Marr Ranch Property Master Plan," the draft can be reviewed on OPRD's website-<http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/PLANS/planning_marrranch.shtml>.

Copies of the plan also are available at OPRD headquarters, 725 Summer St. NE, Suite C, in Salem, and at the Wallowa Lake State Park office, 72214 Marina Lane. Written responses must be submitted, by April 24 to OPRD Planning manager Kathy Schutt, 725 Summer St. NE, Suite C, Salem, OR  97301-1266, or kathy.schutt at state or.us.

The OECDD is proposing to clarify statute for the Oregon Cultural Trust and set clearly defined standards for cultural participation grants. The proposed rules clarify what constitutes a cultural coalition and provides that the Trust will only allocate cultural participation grants funds to a coalition that is operating within a cultural plan approved by the Cultural Trust board. This means that the Trust will not "hold" grant dollars for any coalition that does not have a current and approved cultural plan. 

The proposed rules have been posted to the Department*s website: http://www.oregon.gov/ECDD  Public comment on the proposed rules will be taken until April 21 and should be sent to janelle.m.lacefield at state.or.us.  If you have any questions regarding the proposed rule changes or permanent rule process, please contact Janelle Lacefield at (503) 986-0036 or janelle.m.lacefield at state.or.us.