15 July 2013
City Mulls Water Connection to Tribal Land
Florence City Councilors will deliberate this evening on whether or not to extend a water connection to Three Rivers Casino.
City officials were approached by the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians this past spring about the possibility of purchasing surplus water from the city. The tribe, which owns and operates Three Rivers Casino, has their own water system adequate to serve their daily needs. But, they would like to have the connection in order to provide a reserve back up of 50-to-60-thousand gallons.
The casino is on land outside of the city’s urban growth boundary and therefore Florence could not provide a direct connection without making a land-use change of some sort.
The Tribes’ recent purchase of Ocean Dunes Golf Links, which is inside the city, would allow the connection to be made there without resorting to that process.
The Tribes would have to pay for all pipeline, valves and meters… as well as the water itself. It’s estimated the connection would provide between 48 and 57-thousand dollars in revenue each year.
The council will discuss the matter this evening and possibly make a decision.
Legislature Allocates Rail Rehab Money
The rail line that follows much of the Siuslaw River and connects the Willamette Valley with the coast will benefit from additional state funding.
The Coos Bay Rail Link was bought by the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay four years ago and since then the port has spent nearly $31-million to rehabilite what had become a neglected railway under previous ownership.
The Port estimates it will take at least that much more to complete the renovations, including meeting federal rail standards load ratings on all 118 bridges in the 134-mile system. In the final week of the recent Oregon Legislative Session, an additional $10-million was set aside for that purpose.
Girl Power of Florence
It will be “girl power” at one event set for this Saturday’s Power of Florence day. Already there are nearly three-dozen separate events set for the day in which all residents are encouraged to pitch in and volunteer in some way.
One of those will be a fundraiser for a team of local youth called “Girls with Hope”. They’re a team that will be walking in next month’s American Cancer Society Relay for Life.
This Saturday they’ll help you create your own tie-dye t-shirt. You can bring your own for $7 or buy one from them for 15. “Girls with Hope” will provide the dye, gloves, instruction and encouragement at their booth in front of Grocery Outlet. That will be just one of several events at that location… more will be scattered throughout the community.
