Oregon State Parks Trust Helps State Purchase Marr Ranch Property
Document Actions
August 15, 2007 For Immediate Release
Contact: Dave Eshbaugh, Executive Director, Oregon State Parks Trust
Address: 2100 SW River Pkwy, 4th Floor, Portland, OR 97201-8009
Phone: 503-227-0479 / 800-497-2757. Email: dave <at> oregonstateparkstrust <dot> org
Portland, OR. Oregon State Parks Trust, working in concert with Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD), has purchased 61.93 acres between the Wallowa County town of Joseph and Wallowa Lake to the south.
The deal closed July 24, 2007 with the transfer of $4.1 million to K&B Family Limited Partnership to purchase the property known locally as Marr Ranch. The property, adjacent to the Old Chief Joseph (Tuekakas) Cemetery site, is culturally and historically significant; its addition to the Oregon state park system will help protect noteworthy cultural resources and important riparian areas along the Wallowa River.
OPRD funded $3.2 million of the purchase price from its acquisition budget, funded by dedicated money from Oregon Lottery profits. The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and the Nez Perce Tribe each donated $300,000 to Oregon State Parks Trust. The Trust used the $900,000 to pay the balance of the purchase price, and will hold a share of title to the land. The Trust may eventually sell its minority interest in the property to the National Park Service and dedicate that sale’s proceeds to park development and operations.
“New state parks are always a reason to celebrate,” says Tim Wood, Director, OPRD. “That’s especially true here, where the land has such cultural and historic importance. We look forward to inviting everyone to the discussion about the park’s future.”
OPRD’s staff will organize a park planning project sometime in spring 2008 or later. State park plans are written with substantial local participation and planning for the new park will involve the Wallowa County Board of Commissioners, citizens from Joseph and other local communities, the Native American tribes, the National Park Service and others. In the meantime, OPRD staff from the nearby Wallowa Lake State Recreation Area will keep the property closed to public access and safeguard it until planning is complete.
Related Press Coverage:
Baker City Herald, Editorial: “Protecting Wallowa Lake’s beauty,” 8/7/2007.
Coos World, “Oregon buys land near Chief Joseph gravesite,” 8/6/2007.
Oregonian, “State buys land near Chief Joseph gravesite,” 8/3/2007.
Eastern Oregonian, “State buys disputed Joseph property,” 8/3/2007.
Oregonian, “Wallowa County ranch to become state park,” 8/2/2007.
Wallowa County Chieftain, “Marr Ranch sale closes,” 7/20/2007
For more information about Oregon State Parks Trust, call 503-227-0479 or 800-497-2757 or visit www.oregonstateparkstrust.org.
###
