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Benton County Riparian and Wetlands Project –
Advisory Groups
Stakeholder Advisory Group
Current Advisory Group Members – If you are interested in learning more or interested in the specifics of joining the Stakeholder Group, please contact Adam Stebbins, Riparian and Wetlands Project Lead at Adam.Stebbins@co.benton.or.us or call 541-766-6085
(Advisory Group members will be selected by the Community Development Department of Benton County, with review by the Benton County Board of Commissioners. Members represent the diverse areas of the County.)
Current Advisory Group Members
| Organization | Applicable Persons | Background/Area of Expertise |
|---|---|---|
| Benton County | Planning Commission member(s) | Volunteers with county and state land use planning and review experience |
| Benton County Natural Areas & Parks | Director, with staff serving as alternatives | Management and protection of riparian and wetlands resources in County Parks. Assessment of potential conservation areas |
| Benton County Public Works | Staff and managers as assigned | Road and roadside maintenance along riparian/wetland areas; culvert restoration program |
| Watershed Councils | Marys River and Long Tom Watershed Councils staff (various volunteers) |
Watershed monitoring and restoration projects; provides up to date riparian and wetland information and opportunities for partnerships |
| Landowners with stream and wetlands | County resident volunteers | Input on process and development, local knowledge |
| Cities | Staff from interested cities; likely planning and development staff | Direct work with Adair, Philomath, and Monroe. Adair and Monroe will be undergoing local wetland inventories during the project period |
| Audubon Society | John Gaylord, member | Represents Corvallis Audubon Society; provide project information and ideas, such as work on the Hesthavn Nature Center |
| Lane Council of Governments | Denise Kalakay, Water Resources team lead | GIS/LiDAR affiliated staff working on local wetland inventories for Adair and Monroe, 2009-2010 |
| US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water | Rich Sumner | Wetland and riparian project work management and research |
| Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife | Karen Hans, fish biologist; possible habitat conservation biologist and grasslands biologist | Fish use areas, habitat buffers to improve riparian areas |
| Benton Soil & Water Conservation District | Donna Schmitz | Diverse experience in streamside fencing and restoration projects across Benton County |
| Oregon State University | Dr. Paul Adamus (ex. officio), professor and wetland professional | Delineating, monitoring and managing wetlands; author of several books; expert in Oregon and Benton County wetlands |
| Dept. of Land Conservation and Development | Amanda Putnam, Natural Resources Specialist | Provides guidance on State Land Use Planning Rules and Statutes; Inter-agency coordination support to understand jurisdictional authority and overlap |
| Dept. of State Lands technical staff | Janet Morlan (ex officio) State Lands Wetlands Division | Wetland specialist |
| US Fish and Wildlife | Jarod Jebousek (ex officio) | Off-refuge voluntary wetland restoration; discrete lands; Muddy Creek wetlands focus |
The Advisory Group will meet monthly or as necessary to provide input to county staff to:
- Finalize scope and objectives of project
- Inform the assessment and detailed mapping of current riparian/wetland conditions (GIS, LiDAR, and other data)
- Determine program elements including land use code through an “options analysis” process to meet comprehensive plan goals
- Determine the scope and goals of ground truthing field assessments
- Identify information gaps of importance for future work to enhance the county riparian/wetlands program
- Inform and review county policy and program details for riparian/wetland planning and protection adoption by the Board of Commissioners
See Stakeholder Advisory Group Work Charge (PDF)
