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

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s ATV Committee Friday recommended approval of Union County’s request for funds to purchase land for the proposed Mount Emily Recreation Area.

The county has applied for a $4.4 million grant from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department ATV Program, and an additional $1 million from the OPRD’s Local Government Grant Program.

Grant committees must recommend approval before the grant requests are forwarded to the parks and recreation department’s board of commissioners.

The grant money would be applied toward purchase of 3,700 acres on Mount Emily north of La Grande, land the county would manage for recreation and natural resources.

Forest Capital Partners, the current owner, is asking $7.9 million for the property. The county hopes to fund the purchase with the OPRD grants and a low interest loan secured by the timber assets.

The Local Government Grant request must also be considered by committee before it is passed on the OPRD board.

The board will meet in Baker City July 13 to consider recommendations and decide on the awards.

Union County Planning Director Hanley Jenkins said today that the ATV committee attached several conditions to its recommendation for approval.

The county must sign a grant agreement and contract for the funds. Also, the county will place a recreational easement on that portion of the property that will be bought with ATV funds.

“That means long-term there is assurance it will be for motorized use,” Jenkins said.

The area commonly called the backside of the mountain, from the rim west toward Pendleton, will be set aside for that use.

Another condition calls for a separate advisory committee to be formed to deal with the ATV park. The committee would be in addition to an advisory committee the county plans to appoint for overall management of the area.

The ATV committee also asked for establishment of an access route between Igo Lane and the ATV area.

The county submitted its ATV grant proposal Feb. 13, and its Local Government Grant Proposal April 2.

The Local Government Grant committee is slated to make its grant recommendations June 10-12.

Union County’s purchase agreement with Forest Capital is far from finalized. The question of whether the county should proceed with the purchase is being referred to voters in the May 20 election.