Advice for the Public Suffering From Damage From Elk in Coos Bay City Limits

The City of Coos Bay has been in close communication with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife regarding elk within the Coos Bay City limits.  With the assistance of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the City of Coos Bay is considering various options.  There are some steps landowners can take to minimize elk damage to their property.  The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife feels the most effective way to deter elk from damaging landscaping, lawns and shrubbery is to build a fence around your property.  Since fences can be expensive to install other methods may help reduce damage from these animals at a more reasonable cost.   There are a number of commercial products (big game repellants) available at garden shops and on the Internet that people can try.  Examples of these are Plantskydd and Liquid Fence.  Many of the repellants are water soluble and, thus, need to be reapplied after significant rain.  Make sure to follow the directions for use on the labels of these products.

 Another useful piece of equipment for discouraging animals from entering and damaging yards is a motion-activated sprinkler like the Scarecrow sprinkler.  These useful items aggressively spray water in short bursts when an animal walks into the field of their electronic eye and scare the animal away.  They are most effective when moved periodically around the yard so approaching animals are kept off-guard.  Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife also recommends landscaping with tree and shrub species that are generally not an attractive food item for deer and elk.  Information on these plans species is available at:

                                                                 http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/living_with/deer_elk.asp.

 Note: The use of trade, firm, or corporation names and links in this publication is for the information of the reader. Such use does not constitute an official endorsement or approval by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife or by the City of Coos Bay. 

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The Hair Co Etc Receives Business Grant

Urban Renewal Chair Gene Melton and Past Chair Jon Eck presented Meagan Phillips, owner of The Hair Co Etc with a check from the Urban Renewal Agency’s Virtual Business Incubator Program on Friday, February 6, 2009. The Hair Co Etc is the first recipient of the Agency’s Virtual Business Incubator Program. Also pictured is Joyce Jansen, Economic and Community Development Manager who worked with Mr. Phillips to obtain the grant. The grant was approved by the Urban Renewal Agency for the amount of $5,610.  Ms. Phillips relocated her business from 2nd Street in the Lockhart Building in September after the City posted the building as substandard. 

The Virtual Business Incubator Program provides grant funds for businesses located within the Downtown and Empire Urban Renewal Districts to help businesses cope in difficult economic times and obtain training to help them succeed.  Grant funds may be used for advertising and marketing, signage, and aesthetic improvements. Business owners/operators must have a business plan and take a workshop or class from the Business Development Center in order to receive grant funding.