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STATEWIDE ISSUES:
Corportations Survive, Salmon Don't
Two Boating Bills Under Construction
Attorney General Recognizes Right to Access Navigable Waterways
Modifications Proposed for Two Wild and Scenic Rivers
The Rogue River fee demo program, in place since 1997, caused some concern at a public meeting held last October to discuss the past and future uses of the project's income. Michael Greenbaum of the North West Rafters Assocation (http://www.nwrafters.org) raised several issues pertaining to the allocation, even possible misallocation, of funds.
Fully 60 percent of the available money was spent on toilets at Foster bar, but Greenbaum writes in the December issue of the NWRA's The Confluence that "all that money being spent on toilet facilities at Foster Bar was never designated for the project," calling into question the oversight of the program and its managers. Basic management and maintenance fees comprised 16%.
Discussion over the use of future revenue generated the most controversy. Another $60,000 to $70,000 has been proposed for a new jet boat, ostensibly to "allow more excursions into the scenic section managed by the [Siskiyou Natonal Forest], and provide ... a better management tool," Greenbaum writes. Other suggested expenses included $5,000 to $20,000 to study the fee demo program and to determine the public's wishes, causing Greenbaum to wonder about the purpose of the meeting and of the BLM response cards handed out at BLM information centers.
"There is no doubt in my mind this income ... is considered a slush fund for whatever comes to mind, and whatever a superior will sign off on. To this observer, there is no plan other than to spend it primarily where it can be seen. ... These high-profile expenditures are expected to act as enticements to encourage visitors to support proposals for an onslaught of fee projects on public lands in the future," Greenbaum concludes.
The Pacific Rivers Council (PRC) reports that salmon have lost another round in the fight over the future of Oregon's forest practice rules. The first round was lost two years ago when the federal agencies charged with enforcement of the Endangered Species and Clean Water Acts were not invited to join Oregon's Forest Practices Advisory Committee (of which PRC is a member). The fisheries recently lost round two when the timber industry-dominated Committee agreed to a weak riparian and landslide package that does a much better job of protecting corporations than recovering salmon. But the fight is not over yet. The Committee package (with PRC's dissent) will be presented to the Oregon Board of Forestry this fall, but it will take at least another year to decide on final rules and other policy changes.
One would register non-motorized boats, the other seeks to educate about river access and use
The Oregon Parks Association may draft legislation proposing the registration of non-motorized boats. The Association estimates that over 300,000 of these boats are used on Oregon's waterways in any given year. During this time, the group argues, the recreational facilities available to these boaters degrade. Registration and a fee would create an ongoing fund with which to upgrade and maintain boating and recreational facilities.
A second bill currently being drafted by the state hopes to head off any future entanglements by creating a program of education to promote river stewardship, educating river users and landowners alike about river law, private property rights, and responsible behavior on and off the river. The bill also creates recreation management plans that address specific issues such as the development of sanitation and access facilities, boater pass fees, and the recreational use of the Clackamas, North Santiam, Chetco, and Lower John Day rivers.
Bill would require legislative approval
The state legislature would have to approve the removal of any dams if the state's governor signs SB 987. The focus of the bill was to prevent the removal of the Savage Rapids Dam in southern Oregon, which threatens the salmon population there. Governor John Kitzhaber may veto the bill.
You can give your opinion to your representative at 1-800-332-2313 or at www.leg.state.or.us. The governor can be contacted at 254 State Capitol, Salem, OR 97310; (503) 378-4582; or www.governor.state.or. us./email.htm. Bill tracking can also be found at www.spiritone.com/~orsierra/ political.html.
Oregon moves a step closer to keeping rivers open
The State Attorney General has instructed all prosecuting attorneys to refrain from prosecuting river users who are legally accessing navigable rivers below high water line. The action stems from a case involving a river user who was within the legal limits by remaining below the high water mark. The trespassing charges filed against him by the landowner whose property is adjacent to the river have been dropped. The Attorney General cites a need for further investigation into public river access.
Comments needed on Little Deschutes, Big Marsh Creek
The U.S. Forest Service has released a list of recommendations, called a scoping document, for management of the Little Deschutes River and Big Marsh Creek.
The document addresses management and conservation efforts ranging from campsite and trail use to vegetation management methods. The Forest Service recommends limiting boat use to non-mechanized vessels on both rivers. For more information on the proposals, contact the Crescent Ranger District, P.O. Box 208, Crescent, OR 97733; (541) 433-2234 (phone); (541) 433-3277 (fax).
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"All user" fee not for everyone
If a proposal from the Deschutes River Working Group passes, river use will be restricted to those who can apply as well as pay for a user permit via computer.
The Northwest Rafters Association (NWRA) (www.teleport.com/~nwra) writes that the plan to is replace the current boaters' pass with a user fee, compounding the difficulty for those with neither access to a computer nor the funds for the fee. NWRA's Mary Engstrom, who sits on the board, is concerned about the propriety and ethics of the pass and would like input from the public. You can reach her at 1733 NE Tuscon Way, Bend, OR 97701 or at (541) 318-8789.
Private owners, public stewards
Property owners along Fanno Creek are doing their part to ensure a long and healthy life for the stream that runs along their land.
The International Rivers Network reports that in the Oregon neighborhood of Bridlemile, in the northern part of the Fanno Creek Watershed, residents have launched a group called “Bridlemile Stream Stewards.” They educate, weed and undertake restoration projects to halt further erosion and pollution of the streams and creeks -- most of which border private property. Their hope is that each homeowner will become a steward of the natural space on the stream near them. Even if some residents may not be concerned about Fanno Creek water quality, biological diversity and breeding grounds for cutthroat trout, they may be concerned about the worst-case effects of unchecked erosion. Their garages or other buildings can slide toward the stream bed --which has happened in the neighborhood.
The city's stewardship program is in its fifth year, said Lynn Vanderkamp, coordinator. It is small, with about $35,000 a year available for neighborhood grants, many of which are for restoration projects. While the program is still being evaluated, Vanderkamp said, those involved with it at the city level think that for every dollar given, the result is worth $3. The quality of the water system is "under attack by development all the way" to the Tualatin River, resident Greg Schifsky asserts. "All we're trying to do is teach Bridlemile neighbors to do a better job."
Permit system possible for Illinois River
The Forest Service has announced that it is monitoring the number of parties floating the Illinois out of concern that it may become overused. A limited permit system would be put into effect if the number of parties launching onto the river exceed more than two per day for 10 or more days during two consecutive use seasons. So far this year, that number has not been reached, and the Service has said that it will not impose the restrictions for at least two more years.
The Illinois is a popular Wild and Scenic River south of the Rogue River. The many class IV and V whitewater attracts canoeists, kayakers, and rafters for 2-3 day trips.
John Day Plan Draws Criticism from NORS
The National Organization for Rivers (NORS) has come out against aspects of the John Day River Management Plan and the Two Rivers and John Day Resource Management Plan Amendments Final Environmental Statement. NORS questions the legality and the wisdom of some of the plan's provisions.
The first of three protests lodged with the director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on August 1 addresses the method of boating use allocation. The current plan determines boating allocations based in part on conditions on the Deschutes River, not on the John Day, a move for which NORS can find no precedent or reason. NORS supports an allocation method that gives all boaters equal opportunity for allocation of any limited river use and that is not tied to any other river allocation plan.
A second cause of concern is the proposal of user fees to boat on the John Day River. The river has been demonstrated to be navigable and as such is a public route and not subject to user fees.
The third protest was sparked by the absence of a management plan for future data gathering. Management plans must make provisions for future studies of the river to identify changes in river use, the river's ecosystem, and the correlation between the two. The current plan has set no guidelines by which to determine the limits of acceptable change. NORS notes that avoiding decisions is not a management plan.
A full copy of the John Day River Mangement Plan can be obtained by writing to: John Day River Plan; Bureau of Land Management; P.O. Box 550; Prineville, OR 97754.
Management plan open for review
You have an opportunity to review the various proposals for managing the Rogue River Hellgate Management Plan and submit your comments before the final proposal comes out this fall.
The Bureau of Land Management is close to releasing the Draft Hellgate Recreation Area Management Plan (RAMP)/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The plan addresses balancing the growing demand for recreational use with protecting the Rogue National Wild and Scenic River's natural and cultural resources. Because the RAMP/EIS will guide management of 27 river miles through the next decade, your involvement in this planning process is important.
To obtain information, write to the Bureau of Land Management; Medford District Office; Rogue River Program; 3040 Biddle Road; Medford, OR 97504-4180; call Cori Cooper, Planning Team Leader, 541-770-2428; or email Cori at Cori-Cooper@blm.gov.
Dams may disappear in Sandy River Basin
Kayakers on the Little Sandy and the Sandy rivers may find themselves with more water to play in. The Little Sandy Dam and the Marmot Dam are currently slated for removal. Governor John Kitzhaber is asking for $10 million in state, federal, and private monies to pay for their destruction.
The rivers' steelhead and salmon populations, recently placed on the Endangered Species Act, will also benefit in the long run, although there are concerns that the 1 to 2 miles sediment that has accumulated behind the Marmot Dam could destroy existing fish ladders as the dam is being dismantled. Engineers are considering dredging the sediment or slowly releasing it downstream over a period of years before tackling the project of removing the Marmot.
Governor Kitzhaber supports dam removal to save salmon
Governor John Kitzhaber of Oregon today became the first major political figure to support the removal of four dams on the lower Snake River to save endangered salmon and steelhead. In addition to calling for dam removal, Governor Kitzhaber also stressed the additional need for more habitat restoration, hatchery reform, harvest practices, and better operation of other dams on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. He said that there are no easy or cheap solutions to salmon recovery.
"Today, Governor Kitzhaber has provided what Snake River salmon most desperately need -- political leadership. Now, it's time for the Clinton Administration and elected officials throughout the region to follow his example and support removal of the four lower Snake River dams to restore this magnificent national treasure," said Rob Masonis of American Rivers. The text of the governor's speech can be found at http://www.governor.state.or.us/governor/speeches/s000218.html.
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