Coos County Considers Predator Damage Control "taxing" District for Landowners

Hey Folks,
 
The county formed a committee back in 2011 to analyze the problem of keeping predators from harming and killing livestock or people.  The reason the county commissioners had to form this committee was that the feds cut off funding to the program used by the county to kill dangerous animals. 
 
Now, the committee is creating a Predator Damage Control District, which is a taxing district.  It will be a controversial topic at the next couple of meetings.  The committee sent letters to Landowners in the district asking them to fill out a survey by October 2, 2016.   The information is in the letter from the committee, which is posted below.     
 
Please inform yourself and others by reading the following documents and excerpts from the committee about this issue.  Then you will be ready when it is time to debate the subject of establishing yet another taxing district…..Rob T. 

PURPOSE:
To evaluated funding options for the animal damage control in Coos County as well as the Wildlife Services program. To set goals, priorities, and suggest staffing levels for the animal damage control (Wildlife Services) program. Educate the public on the importance of animal damage control. Evaluate the needs and effectiveness of the Wildlife Services program.  Educate the Coos County Budget Committee concerning the program, its benefits and results.  Report back to the Coos County Board of Commissioners with recommendations and carry any statewide funding recommendations to the statewide Stakeholders Group.

SCOPE OF THE WILDLIFE SERVICES PROGRAM IN COOS COUNTY

1. Protect public health and safety
2. Control spread of disease in wildlife population (such as rabies)
3. Protect the Coos County infra-structure (culverts, roads, dikes)
4. Control animal damage to forages, crops, livestock and timber
5. Assist with wildlife control within city and rural populations
6. Protect the County forests and parks

Committee Damage Control Advisory Committee
A committee of ten persons shall be approved or appointed by the Coos County Board of Commissioners. 

The committee members shall represent the following entities:
Coos County Road Department
Cattle Producer
Coos County Forestry Department
Coquille Tribe
Coos-Curry Farm Bureau
Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife
Coos County Livestock Association
Oregon Hunters Association
Timber Company - 2 members
Drainage Districts
Sheep Producer - 2 members
Wildlife Services
Members-at-large 

The Committee shall elect a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary.  One of the members of this committee will serve on the statewide Stakeholders Committee.  The Chairman will set the meeting dates as necessary.  The Secretary shall take and submit minutes of the meetings to the Board of Commissioners.  The of office shall be three years.  This is a volunteer appointment and there shall be no cost to the Coos County.

Interested Entities
Members
Coos County Road Department
John Rowe

Coos County Forestry Department
Lance Morgan

Coos-Curry Farm Bureau
Kevin Westfall

Coos County Livestock Association
Joe Cortez

Timber Companies
Harold Merritt,
Jim Carr

Sheep Producers
Chuck King,
Sharon Waterman

Cattle Producer
Monte Lund

Coquille Tribe
Jason Robison,
Alternate: Nathan James

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Stuart Love

Oregon Hunters Association
Dennis Cook

Drainage Districts
Charlie Waterman

Members-at-Large
Blair Holman,
Tuck Koreiva

Wildlife Services
Michael Burrell

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