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

Union County and the Mount Emily Recreation Coalition plan an informational meeting on the proposed Mount Emily Recreation Area at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the auditorium at La Grande High School.

Coalition spokesman Bart Barlow said the main purpose of the meeting is to allow the public to ask questions about the proposal.

“There will be some brief presentations on where we’re at, but this meeting is mostly geared toward questions and answers,” Barlow said.

Union County has tentative plans to buy 3,700 acres of land on Mount Emily and manage it for recreation and natural resource use. A $7.9 million purchase agreement with current owner Forest Capital Partners has been worked out, though no commitment has been made.

The proposal to buy the land from Forest Capital Partners depends on the outcome of an advisory referendum to be held as part of the May 20 election. The referendum is actually non-binding, but the county has said it will adhere to the voters’ wishes.

The county would pay for the land with two grants from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, plus a low-interest loan from a philanthropic organization. The loan would be secured by timber on the property.

The county has submitted a $3.6 million grant request to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s ATV program, and also a $1 million request to the OPRD’s Local Government Grant Program.

Tuesday’s meeting will feature presentations on the purchase proposal and funding status.  On hand for the event will be officials from Morrow County, which established a recreation area similar to the one proposed for Mount Emily.

“They’re going to talk about how they manage it and whether it’s been a success,” said Barlow.

Tom Tuchman, a consultant from U.S. Forest Capital, will give an update on the loan from the as-yet unidentified philanthropic organization. Tuchman’s organization is not a part of  Forest Capital Partners.

Union County Planning Director Hanley Jenkins, like Barlow, stressed that the main purpose of Tuesday’s meeting is to address the public’s concerns.

“Really, this is the opportunity for folks to give their comments and ask questions,” he said.

The county and the coalition have been meeting with local governments, civic organizations and the public in an effort to explain the proposal and win support.

In addition to Tuesday’s meeting at the high school, another county-wide informational meeting is scheduled to take place April 29 at Imbler High School.