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The South Umpqua Rural Community Partnership (SURCP) has been established to collaboratively assist in community efforts of restoration ecology, restoration forestry, aquatic habitat restoration and the diverse business interests of our community. We are here as a focal point forum and umbrella organization for the South Umpqua River watershed communities. ... Local businesses, interest groups and projects related to restoration of the social, economic, and ecological infrastructures of South Douglas county are welcome to participate in our organization. ... We are here to support the community economically and environmentally.

"We feel that the very high densities of non-merchantable biomass in our forests are simultaneously a curse and a blessing" said Stanley Petrowski, current president of the newly formed organization. "The logging boom years have left in their wake many thousands of acres of tree plantation stands whose maturation levels make them the perfect medium for catastrophic fires. The timber industry and the conservation community both agree on this. It's common ground for dialog. Sensitively extracting these materials so that a healthy sustainable forest remains and converting these materials into marketable products is one of the main thrusts of the organization. Through this means we hope to restore the fisheries of the watersheds and build up our once thriving communities".

On July 23rd the first public meeting in the Tiller area was held at the Ranger District's Riverside Retreat building. The meeting was well attended by local businesses and community interest groups. "We're the rural survivors of the timber bust and we want to once again have a sense of self determination based on the much needed restoration of our forests and streams." Issues ranging from Internet connection speeds to restoring beaver populations in the upper end of the watershed to increase water resources for ranchers and farmers were discussed.

SURCP will be having meetings on the third Tuesday of every month at 6:00 PM in the evening at the Tiller District Riverside Retreat building. These gatherings are open to the public.

Support for this initial effort was provided by the Lomakatsi Restoration Project, the USDA office of Rural Development, local concerned citizens and the Directors of SURCP. SURCP can be reached via email at info@surcp.org.