>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Union County has slated two public hearings on the proposed purchase of the Mount Emily Recreation Area north of La Grande.

During its regular meeting Wednesday, the county board of commissioners set the hearings for April 15 at the La Grande Middle School and April 29 at Imbler High School. Both hearings will get under way at 6:30 p.m.

The county is proposing to purchase 3,700 acres of timberland on Mount Emily from Forest Capital Partners. The land would be managed for recreation and resource use.

Cost to the county would be between $4.6-$7.9 million, depending on options. The buy would be funded through grants or a combination of grants and low-interest loans.

After a tentative purchase agreement was unveiled in January, many citizens said they wanted more information about taxpayer risk, timber and grazing management, management of user conflicts, liability in the event of forest fire and more.

The upcoming hearings were scheduled in response to those concerns.

“We want people to have a chance to ask their questions and get the information they need,” said Board Chair Nellie Hibbert.

In February, the board was presented with a petition asking that the matter be referred to voters. The petition was signed by more than 400 Union County residents.

According to a decision by the board, the matter will go before voters in the May primary, in the form of an advisory vote.