In January of 2021, OHA executed its first conservation easement on David and Pamela Potter’s property in southern Jefferson County. Since that time, part of the property burned in the Grandview Fire. OHA has done conservation work on site, and there’s been some unauthorized grazing by some stray cattle.
In late May, conservation staff spent an evening with David Potter on the property. The property was green, but unfortunately a lot of it is cheatgrass that has invaded in areas of the Grandview Fire footprint. However, there’s a fair amount of native bunchgrass coming back, as well. The unwanted visitors, the cattle, were back. After dealing with that issue last year, the landowners were told by Forest Service managers that the cattle were not supposed to be in that area. So a quick text to Monty Gregg, OHA Advisory Council member and Crooked River National Grasslands Wildlife Biologist, and he jumped on it for us by reaching out to the range manager.
The easement is located in prime big game winter range. —Mike Totey
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