Oregon Public Broadcasting

Two state field offices that inform the public about natural hazards, have fallen to the budget axe. Kristian Foden-Vencil reports.

The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries helps towns understand the risks that surround them -- like landslides, earthquakes, tsunamis and floods.

DOGAMI has had field offices in Baker City and Grants Pass since 1939, when the agency began.

Spokesman James Roddey says both will close, but the Baker City office will be relocated.

James Roddey: “We estimate we’re going to save over $200,000 closing the Grants Pass office. In the Baker City office, the county really wanted to keep our presence in Eastern Oregon and so they have made space available in the county courthouse free of charge for our geologists to work in.”

The state has two other DOGAMI field offices, in Newport and Albany. A retail outlet in Portland will also be closed and consolidated into other office space.