From: Jennifer Cline
Sent: Mon Apr 25 16:26:28 2016
To: Sadie Cramer; Dan Huff
Cc: Jason Clifford
Subject: FW: Sewage Pond Request
Importance: Normal
I get this question quite often. I have consistently said no, due to the fact the visit would need to be supervised and staff time is limited. I also let them know that unsupervised visits pose a health and safety risk for any non-City employee.
Some Cities have fenced off areas where the public can pull in and view without have direct access to the lagoons. Unfortunately this is not so easy for Molalla. We would need to construct this type of access or allow a non-profit group to construct a viewing area. Best location would be on WB OR211, which would be spendy to construct a pull off.
Jennifer Cline, P.E. | Public Works Director
Licensed in OR, WA
117 N Molalla Ave. | PO Box 248 * |Molalla, OR 97038
O: 503.759.0218 | F: 503.829.3676
From: Joseph Blowers [mailto:josephblowers@ymail.com]
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2016 4:12 PM
To: jcline@cityofmolalla.com
Subject: Sewage Pond Request
Hi Jennifer,
I live on a farm two miles south of Molalla. I am an avid birder (birdwatcher) who frequently visits Ivor Davies Park, Wilhoit Springs Park, and other local wild areas. I also fairly frequently look at the sewage ponds to see what birds are there. This is quite difficult however as it involves pulling my car onto the shoulder of busy Highway 211.
I'm wondering if it would be possible to get permission to walk along the dike(s) next to the sewage pond(s) to birdwatch. This could be arranged for a time when it was convenient for staff, perhaps at the same time each week or the same time every other week. I would be extremely careful around the ponds and equipment and would need only 45 minutes or so.
Sewage treatment ponds, because they are large areas of open water, attract numerous waterfowl and shorebirds. Some Oregon cities allow public access to their sewage pond areas (Fernhill Wetlands in Forest Grove, and Jackson Bottom Wetlands in Hillsboro). Others (Nehalem, Philomath) offer limited access to birders at certain times.
I appreciate your time. Thanks for any assistance you can give me.
Joseph Blowers
Sent from my iPhone