Public comment period for MERA parking fees and master plan ends February 14.
By Garrett Christensen on Thursday, January 30th, 2025 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
UNION COUNTY – A reminder to Union County residents, the public comment period for the Mount Emily Recreation Area (MERA) Parking Permit Program and proposed changes to the MERA Master Plan officially ends in two weeks on February 14, 2025.
For those unfamiliar, the MERA Parking Permit Program will implement required permits for the parking areas at MERA’s non-motorized trailheads; Owsley Canyon, Lower Igo, and Upper Igo. When fully implemented, the program will require the purchase of either $5-dollar day-use passes or $30-dollar annual passes (discounted to $20 dollars for active military, veterans, emergency service personnel, law enforcement, and low-income families) to park at the non-motorized trailhead.
Failure to abide by the permit system could result in a fine of up to $100 dollars, with the option to purchase an annual pass when paying off the fine. The intention of the program is to generate additional funds for MERA’s non-motorized trailheads, which generally receive fewer funding opportunities compared to the motorized ones.
The program was approved by the Union County Board of Commissioners during a meeting on December 18, 2024, with the passing of ordinance 2024-05, In the Matter of An Ordinance Establishing a Parking Permit Program for the Mt. Emily Recreation Area (MERA). A contract with T-2 systems for the purchase of software and equipment needed to operate and enforce the new permit system was also approved during the meeting.
The MERA Advisory Committee is still accepting public feedback on the new permit program and the master plan changes through February 14 of this year. Public comments can be shared during the Advisory Committee’s meeting on February 4 or submitted directly to MERA Coordinator Josh Ford at Jford@union-county.org.
The full parking program ordinance, as was approved by commissioners, can be read at https://unioncountyor.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ORD-2024-05-MERA-Parking.pdf
Elkhorn Media Groups previous coverage of the permit program can be found at https://elkhornmediagroup.com/new-parking-permit-fees-coming-to-meras-non-motorized-trailheads/
The parking program framework and master plan documents can be found below:
Parking Program:
Master Plan:
