Over 40 Years of Environmental News Arcata, California Vol. 45, No. 2 Apr/May 2015 cleaning up

 Published by the Northcoast   Environmental Center Since 1971 From Mega-Salvage to Mega-grows, Our Forests and Watersheds Hang in the Balance

Grows

Westside Salvage | Earth Day Cleanups & Hoedown | Godwit Days | Problem Pot LNG Pipeline | Shasta Dam | Lily Pesticides | Eel River Cleanups

Around the world, Nature is starting to get a seat at the table News From the Center Dan Ehresman, Executive Director  roughout the west it is no told in these pages and all of the to get this engaging event up and secret that we are entering the amazing organizations, businesses, going again! fourth year of an unprecedented and individuals who are giving Unlike other events that are drought: snow pack is at an all time their all to protect our region’s focused in one area, anyone can low, reservoirs are depleted and communities and special places, participate in the Birdathon. groundwater is being sucked we have a lot to be grateful for. Regardless of where you live or where out at alarming rates to serve you are going to be from May 1st fracking and ecologically NEC Spring Mixer through May 9th, you can either start egregious agriculture. Speaking of gratitude, I a team, join a team, or pledge your In the midst of a want to shout out a warm support! For more about the Birdathon worsening climate crisis, thank you to all who joined check out the facing page or visit we are facing signifi cant us at the NEC’s Spring www.yournec.org/events/birdathon. ecological threats within mixer and open house. our bioregion. And, as Getting to spend time with it sometimes happens, so many great friends, So Many Events.. and several major threats colleagues, and long- are hitting us all at once. standing NEC members NEC’s 44th Birthday! From the proposed fracked was a vital recharge given Along with the Birdathon, natural gas pipeline project some of the diffi cult issues April and May are absolutely jam- in southern Oregon (see page we are facing. A big thanks to packed with events. Here are a few 4) and the gold ore processing all who helped out in donating highlights—you can help celebrate facility that was eyeing the old LP and preparing delicious food the NEC’s 44th Birthday at any/all pulp mill on the Samoa peninsula and drink, tending the various of them: Russian River fi lm night at (see page 13), to unprecedented tables, and participating in the the Arcata Playhouse on April 16 salvage logging proposals (see page ever-lively raffl e. (see add on the back cover), Japan 3) and a draft marijuana ordinance than ever given the tremendous Tsunami Debris Cleanups (see ad on that would open up North Coast challenges we face as a result of our Birdathon facing page), Godwit Days (see page forests to more industrial marijuana rapidly changing climate and our Whether or not you made it out to 6), Klamath-Trinity Fish Fair on April grows (see page 4)—we need all changing planet. the mixer, we are excited to announce 24, Earth Day Cleanups and Hoedown hands on deck to ensure that bad Fortunately, even though the another way to get involved.  is on April 25 (see page 5), Party for ideas such as these do not see the threats keep on coming and some year, the NEC is pleased to co- the Planet at Sequoia Park Zoo on light of day. issues seem beyond our control, we sponsor with the Redwood Region April 26, Jammie Jog II also on April Protecting wild places, wildlife, live in a region where people care Audubon Society the 1st Annual Tim 26, Birdathon May 1-9 (see facing and the resources upon which immensely and are willing to take a McKay Birdathon!  anks to Gary page), and a Humboldt Trails Tribute we depend is more critical now stand. In looking through the stories Friedrichsen for leading the charge on May 16.

Editor/Layout: Morgan Corviday NEC Board Of Directors NEC Member Groups [email protected] President - Larry Glass, Safe Alternatives Humboldt Baykeeper    Advertising: [email protected] for our Forest Environment, www.humboldtbaykeeper.org 707-268-0664 Proofreaders: Karen Schatz and [email protected] 1385 8th Street - Suite 226, Midge Brown Vice-President - Dan Sealy, At-Large, Sierra Club,North Group, Arcata, CA 95521 [email protected] Redwood Chapter PO Box 4259, Arcata, CA 95518 Authors: Sid Dominitz, Dan Ehresman, www.redwood.sierraclub.org/north/ Sarah Marnick, Dan Sealy, Jennifer Kalt, Scott Secretary - Jennifer Kalt, Humboldt 707- 822-6918, Fax 707-822-6980 Baykeeper, [email protected] California Native Plant Society www.yournec.org Greacen, Jennifer Savage, Felice Pace, Tom North Coast Chapter Stokely, Amber Shelton, Greg King, Michael Treasurer - Chris Jenican Beresford, At- www.northcoastcnps.org Large, [email protected] Kauff man, Justin Zakoren, Jud Ellinwood, Redwood Region Audubon Society EcoNews is the o cial bi-monthly Hugh McGee, Brandon Drucker Gary Falxa, Calfornia Native Plant Society, [email protected] www.rras.org, [email protected] publication of the Northcoast Cover Photo: Eel River. Scrubhiker CJ Ralph, Redwood Region Audubon Friends of the Eel River Environmental Center (NEC), a (USCdyer), Flickr.com CC. Society, [email protected] www.eelriver.org, [email protected] non-pro t organization. Third class Artist: Terry Torgerson Richard Kreis, Sierra Club, North Group. 707-822-3342 postage paid in Arcata. ISSN No. [email protected] Safe Alternatives for our Forest 0885-7237. EcoNews is mailed to Environment (SAFE) Scott Greacen, Friends of the Eel River, www.safealt.org our members and distributed free NEC Staff [email protected] throughout the Northern California Bob Morris, Trinity County Representative, NEC Affiliate Members and Southern Oregon bioregion. The NEC Executive Director: Dan Ehresman, [email protected] At-Large, [email protected] Environmental Protection subscription rate is $35 per year. Keytra Meyer, At-Large, Information Center (EPIC) EcoNews Editor: www.wildcalifornia.org, [email protected] Morgan Corviday, [email protected] [email protected] 707-822-7711 The ideas and views expressed Coastal Programs Director: Friends of Del Norte in EcoNews are not necessarily Jennifer Savage, [email protected] www.fodn.org those of the NEC. Humboldt Baykeeper Coastal Education Sta : Justin Zakoren Fiscally sponsored by the NEC Mattole Restoration Council www.mattole.org, [email protected] Be a part of our growing team Programs Assistant: Madison Peters Director: (707) 629-3514 Jennifer Kalt, [email protected] of site captains and volunteers! O ce Assistant: Cherry Sirpan Zero Waste Humboldt Membership Associate: Sydney Stewart Bay Explorations Sta : www.zerowastehumboldt.org Jasmin Segura, [email protected] [email protected] Visit our website for more information and a list of available sites. 1 Catch the NEC’s EcoNews Report    Every Thursday, 1:30pm on KHSU - 90.5FM 3 Westside Salvage Logging Each show features interviews with experts on a variety of important environmental topics! 4 Supes Pass Buck on Problem Pot Past shows are also archived on our website for listening online anytime! 4 LNG Pipeline Opposition Grows www.yournec.org/econews-report 5 Earth Day Hoedown & Cleanups 6 Godwit Days 8 Bigfoot Trail 9 Eye on Washington Donate 9 Downsides to Raising Shasta Dam it feels good 10 Lily Pesticides Contaminates Smith 11 Kin to the Earth: Eel River Cleanup Crew 12 Zero Waste Humboldt 13 Humboldt Baykeeper 14 Friends of the Eel River Japan Tsunami Marine Debris 15 EPIC Humboldt County: Del Norte County: 16 Mattole Restoration Council SAMOA BEACH POINT ST. GEORGE BEACH 17 Sierra Club, North Group SATURDAYS @ 10:00 AM SUNDAYS @ 11:00 AM 18 California Native Plant Society Call or email the NEC to register in April 18, 2015 April 19, 2015 20 Eco-Mania advance, or for more information: June 13, 2015 June 14, 2015 21 Creature Feature: Nudibranchs [email protected] or 707-822-6918. www.yournec.org/tsunamidebris 22 Kids’ Page: Limpets Monitoring and Beach Cleanups Bouquets A Wild Trinity bouquet to Bob Morris in appreciation of the First Annual many years of service as NEC vice president and for continuing your pragmatic Tim McKay Birdathon! leadership as a member of the Board. A bouquet of frosty fl ora to Dan Sealy for stepping up as our new VP and for being such May 1 - 9, 2015 a generous and supportive guide for many • Register as a team or as an individual passing through the NEC. A bouquet of redwood boughs to • Collect pledges (donations) for the Assemblymember Jim Wood, Senator Mike number of bird species seen in 24 hours McGuire & Congressman Jared Hu man for your continued perseverance to address the • Participate from anywhere in the world! harms of irresponsible marijuana operations throughout our North Coast. • Prizes awarded for the top three persons or teams with most donations collected! A bouquet of free-fl owing, fi sh-loving streams to staff at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for stepping up with science to For more information or to register, visit help head off illegal water diversions.

www.yournec.org/events/birdathon A springtime bouquet to Janelle Egger for continuing to take a stand to protect the or call the NEC at 707-822-6918 freedoms of our community members – human Sponsored by the Northcoast Environmental Center and wild! and the Redwood Region Audubon Society

EcoNews Apr/May 2015 www.yournec.org 2 Advocating for Real Recovery in Supervisors Pass the Buck on Problem Pot No LNG Export Dan Ehresman, NEC Executive Director regulated? We need only to look at what happens Campaign Gains “Westside” Post-Fire Logging Proposal On March 12, a suspect in a violent when timber barons and fossil fuel executives write Southern Humboldt home invasion robbery was their own rules to know this is probably a bad idea. Momentum Amber Shelton, EPIC Reading the most recent draft ordinance, apprehended near my house after a police pursuit Rogue Riverkeeper e largest timber sale ever proposed in the through Eureka. The day before, the jury on which it seems CCVH’s primary goal is to legitimize Klamath National Forest calls for 43,883 acres I nearly served found a man guilty of murdering existing operations and pave the way for more Since 2006, people have been fi ghting the of post-fi re logging in steep, unstable high value an Alderpoint resident. And the week before, I and bigger grows– never mind the consequences. Jordan Cove Energy Project proposed for southern watersheds. e proposal is deceitfully named the was randomly assaulted outside my home. The CCVH has released six drafts of their ordinance, Oregon. Proponents of this project want to build Westside Fire Recovery Project, but instead of acting previous encounter may not be directly related but have yet to include meaningful provisions to a 230-mile long, 36” pipeline from Malin to Coos as a prescription for recovery, the proposal would to our region’s #1 cash crop, but together these address environmental and social harms of black Bay Oregon to transport fracked gas (liquid devastate watersheds, salmon, sensitive animal and events remind me that Humboldt County’s violent market marijuana production. All six iterations natural gas—LNG) from the Rockies to Oregon’s plant species, fragment wildlife corridors, impact crime rate has been rising—even as the state’s have ignored what many have repeatedly raised coast to then be liquifi ed and shipped overseas roadless areas and degrade watersheds. It also has been falling. as critical components of a countywide marijuana to Asia. e pipeline route would clear a 95’ wide proposes to plant 20,000 acres of plantation forests Tied to this violence is an endless string of abuses ordinance: caps on cultivation area to preclude swath through public and private forests, cross that would increase the potential for high intensity committed against our planet for profi t. When some industrial-scale production in remote locations; 400 rivers and streams in the Klamath, Rogue, fi res in the future. people look at our region’s remote places—our a halt to dry season stream diversions and water Umpqua, Coquille and Coos River watersheds. Almost half of the project is within areas forests, secluded property and fl owing streams— trucking; a prohibition on pesticides; and a revenue All told those watershed crossings would excavate known as Late Successional Reserves, which they see not wildness but mountains of money. source for real enforcement. more than 6 million cubic yards of wetlands, are supposed to be set aside to protect and When California Cannabis Voice Humboldt So, what does CCVH’s ordinance actually streambeds along the pipeline route and from enhance old growth forest ecosystems. A third (CCVH), the marijuana industry group that has propose? e current draft would allow marijuana Coos Bay itself. of the project area is within the Wild and Scenic been anointed by the Humboldt County Board of grows on every private parcel larger than fi ve acres In addition to the obvious environmental Klamath and Salmon River corridors. is is a Supervisors to draft their own marijuana ordinance in unincorporated areas of Humboldt County. is impacts, this project would utilize eminent region where endangered coho salmon and other gave a presentation to the Board in late February, is over 15,000 parcels, encompassing more than domain to seize private property for corporate struggling fi sh populations are already heavily they glossed over the harms to our region at the 800,000 acres. e proposed ordinance would gain, and raise our gas rates here at home by impacted by many other factors including fi re hands of an unregulated industry, ignored what allow up to 5,000 square foot, half-million dollar sending America’s resources overseas. Recently, suppression activities, dams, diversions and their draft ordinance actually says, and instead a year operations without site-specifi c permits— the Oregonian reported that this project, if built, drought. Millions of dollars have been spent on focused on how the marijuana market produces eff ectively doubling the average size of grows would quickly become the largest greenhouse gas we see today. fi sheries restoration projects. Salmon Salvage Logging Deck operating during rainy season, October 2014. Photo: Kimberly Baker. pallets of cash. emitter in Oregon, which goes against all eff orts the In the past few years, Klamath National Forest Hearing the presentation, two questions came What’s more, the ordinance would allow mega- Governor, and other state leaders have proposed timber planners have carried out several post- to mind. First, what good is all the money in the grows up to 10,000 square feet so long as they get to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Accounting for fi re timber sales throughout the forest without world when our streams are sucked dry and violent approval from the County Planning Commission— methane leakage at the fracking drill sites, Jordan adequately considering the cumulative eff ects crime escalates by the day enabled by a black and up to 20,000 square feet with Supervisor approval. Cove would result in 57 million metric tons of from combined projects, past fi res and extreme S.A.F.E. Joins Lawsuit Challenging market industry out of control? And although CCVH’s ordinance talks a good game CO2 equivalent per year, a huge step backwards fi re suppression activities on these sensitive Second, why are our elected representatives so about the importance of protecting our environment, in the fi ght against climate change! e Jordan watersheds. Recent post-fi re projects have violated Pesticide Spraying Plan eager to hand over work of drafting a marijuana the majority of the protections it contains are Cove project is not in the best interest of Oregon environmental standards. ey have not followed e city of Berkeley and eleven groups, “ is program puts people and some of ordinance to the very industry that needs to be essentially voluntary. Continued on page 19 and its citizens. Continued on page 19 best management practices and have failed to including Trinity County-based Safe Alternatives California’s most imperiled species, like salmon implement project design features created to for our Forest Environment (S.A.F.E.), sued the and tiger salamanders, directly in harm’s way from protect wildlife and fi sheries. California Department of Food and Agriculture dangerous pesticides,” said Jonathan Evans, toxics ~ Certified Herbalists ~ Effective, Natural & Economical George Sexton, Conservation Director at in January over the agency’s approval of a and endangered species campaign director at the Klamath Siskiyou Wildlands Center says, “ e statewide “pest management” plan that allows Center for Biological Diversity. “It’s frightening Klamath National Forest is in the dark ages when it pesticide spraying on schools, organic farms that the state would spray these toxic chemicals comes to post-fi re management. While the science and residential yards, including aerial spraying throughout California without fully analyzing their Healthcare is clear that natural recovery is best for wildlife, over homes in rural areas. California approved eff ects or telling the public of the consequences.” watersheds and wildlands, Forest Service timber for your life. the program despite tens of thousands of public e plan, approved December 24 as part of the planners seem committed to exploiting wildfi re in comment letters calling for a less toxic approach • Over 400 medicinal order to log anywhere and everywhere.” Statewide Plant Pest Prevention and Management that would protect the vitality and resilience of and culinary herbs e forests of Northern California are Environmental Impact Report, allows these the state’s food system and the economic interests dangerous chemicals to be used anywhere in the dependent on fi re for... 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3 www.yournec.org Apr/May 2015 EcoNews ADS Supervisors Pass the Buck on Problem Pot No LNG Export Dan Ehresman, NEC Executive Director regulated? We need only to look at what happens Campaign Gains On March 12, a suspect in a violent when timber barons and fossil fuel executives write Southern Humboldt home invasion robbery was their own rules to know this is probably a bad idea. Momentum Reading the most recent draft ordinance, apprehended near my house after a police pursuit Rogue Riverkeeper through Eureka. The day before, the jury on which it seems CCVH’s primary goal is to legitimize I nearly served found a man guilty of murdering existing operations and pave the way for more Since 2006, people have been fi ghting the an Alderpoint resident. And the week before, I was and bigger grows– never mind the consequences. Jordan Cove Energy Project proposed for southern randomly assaulted outside my home. e previous CCVH has released six drafts of their ordinance, Oregon. Proponents of this project want to build encounter may not be directly related to our region’s but have yet to include meaningful provisions to a 230-mile long, 36” pipeline from Malin to Coos #1 cash crop, but together these events are a address environmental and social harms of black Bay Oregon to transport fracked gas (liquid personal reminder that Humboldt County’s violent market marijuana production. All six iterations natural gas—LNG) from the Rockies to Oregon’s crime rate has been rising—even as the state’s have ignored what many have repeatedly raised coast to then be liquifi ed and shipped overseas has been falling. as critical components of a countywide marijuana to Asia. e pipeline route would clear a 95’ wide Tied to this violence is an endless string of abuses ordinance: caps on cultivation area to preclude swath through public and private forests, cross committed against our planet for profi t. When some industrial-scale production in remote locations; 400 rivers and streams in the Klamath, Rogue, people look at our region’s remote places—our a halt to dry season stream diversions and water Umpqua, Coquille and Coos River watersheds. forests, secluded property and fl owing streams— trucking; a prohibition on pesticides; and a revenue All told those watershed crossings would excavate they see not wildness but mountains of money. source for real enforcement. more than 6 million cubic yards of wetlands, When California Cannabis Voice Humboldt So, what does CCVH’s ordinance actually streambeds along the pipeline route and from (CCVH), the marijuana industry group that has propose? e current draft would allow marijuana Coos Bay itself. been anointed by the Humboldt County Board of grows on every private parcel larger than fi ve acres In addition to the obvious environmental Supervisors to draft their own marijuana ordinance in unincorporated areas of Humboldt County. is impacts, this project would utilize eminent gave a presentation to the Board in late February, is over 15,000 parcels, encompassing more than domain to seize private property for corporate they glossed over the harms to our region at the 800,000 acres. e proposed ordinance would gain, and raise our gas rates here at home by hands of an unregulated industry, ignored what allow up to 5,000 square foot, half-million dollar sending America’s resources overseas. Recently, their draft ordinance actually says, and instead a year operations without site-specifi c permits— the Oregonian reported that this project, if built, focused on how the marijuana market produces eff ectively doubling the average size of grows would quickly become the largest greenhouse gas pallets of cash. we see today. emitter in Oregon, which goes against all eff orts the Hearing the presentation, two questions came What’s more, the ordinance would allow mega- Governor, and other state leaders have proposed to mind. First, what good is all the money in the grows up to 10,000 square feet so long as they get to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Accounting for world when our streams are sucked dry and violent approval from the County Planning Commission— methane leakage at the fracking drill sites, Jordan crime escalates by the day enabled by a black and up to 20,000 square feet with Supervisor approval. Cove would result in 57 million metric tons of market industry out of control? And although CCVH’s ordinance talks a good game CO2 equivalent per year, a huge step backwards Second, why are our elected representatives so about the importance of protecting our environment, in the fi ght against climate change! e Jordan eager to hand over work of drafting a marijuana the majority of the protections it contains are Cove project is not in the best interest of Oregon ordinance to the very industry that needs to be essentially voluntary. Continued on page 19 and its citizens. Continued on page 19

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EcoNews Apr/May 2015 www.yournec.org 4 Earth Day earth day cleanups

working together for a cleaner coast nec & pacout green team • Oyster Beach • 9-10a humboldt baykeeper • Indian Island • 10a–2p friends of the dunes • Humboldt Coastal Nature Center • 9:30a-12:30p mad river alliance • Mad River/Blue Lake • 9a–noon 19th Annual Godwit Days friends of the eel river • Crab Park • 9:30a–12:30p April 16-22 at the Arcata Community Center saturday, april 25 yournec.org 45th E x p lo r E Earth Day H u m b o l dt b ay April 22 E x p lo r a l a b a H í a 2015 For info on Humboldt Baykeeper’s free natural history tours, call (707) 825-1020 or visit humboldtbaykeeper.org. Invest in the Future Para información sobre tours de la historia natural en español y inglés llama Join our Monthly (707) 825-1020 o visita humboldtbaykeeper.org. Giving Program For more information, call the NEC at 707-822-6918

5 www.yournec.org Apr/May 2015 EcoNews 20th Annual Godwit Days April 17-19 at the Arcata Community Center Godwit Days is a spring migration bird Art Displays festival that celebrates the Marbled Godwit and all birds of Redwood Coast forests, Arcata Artisans will have an art show and bays, marshes, and mudfl ats.  e sale in the Community Center. For the 12th Arcata Community Center serves year, Redwood Region Audubon and Friends as the departure hub for most of Arcata Marsh have teamed to sponsor a trips and houses an art show and student bird art contest. Over $500 will Bird Fair. Choose from 85 fi eld be awarded to Humboldt County K-12 trips, lectures, workshops, and students during an April 18 ceremony. boat excursions. Pre and post All entries are posted in the Community Center throughout Godwit Days, with festival trips can extend your copies of winners shown at the Marsh experience from April 15 to 21. Interpretive Center in May. And stop by the Interpretive Center anytime in Something for April to view the display of 20 years of Everyone Godwit Days poster art. Trips range north to Del Norte, south to Petrolia, and inland Godwit Goodies: to Willow Creek. Workshops teach Buy or Bid! fi eld sketching, choosing binoculars/ Look over Silent Auction goodies on scopes, bird decoy carving, and bird ID display in the main hall. Bid on binoculars, by sound. River, bay, and lagoon boat trips outdoor gear, wine, jewelry, restaurant are a highlight. certifi cates, and more! To donate, call 707- New off erings are Warm-Up Wednesday/ 826-7050. Come into Registration to purchase Birding by Phone, Birding North to Brookings, 2015 Godwit Days T-shirts featuring a design by Salt River Restoration Area, Biking & Birding, Gary Bloomfi eld, plus other clothing such as new Urban Retreats, two sessions of Chasing Current For more information, visit fl eece vests. Rarities, Ma-le’l Dunes/Humboldt Coastal Nature www.godwitdays.org, or call Center, and Beer & Birding in Manila.  e ocean 707-826-7050. Registration & Important Information (pelagic) tour will sail out of Brookings Harbor, On-site registration hours: Friday, April 17, 3-7 in an attempt to avoid past problems crossing the Keynote & Opening Night p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-noon. Humboldt bar. Lectures Visit www.godwitdays.org for event descriptions and to register. Advance registration is strongly Just for Kids (& Other Free Events) Saturday’s keynote, Andy Mack, will talk about “Uphill struggles: of cassowaries, seeds, and recommended—as trips fi ll fast!  e Festival off ers many free activities of interest conservation.” As executive director of the Indo- to children, including live birds of prey, display of Pacifi c Conservation Alliance, he is passionately all entries in the Student Bird Art Contest, drop-in committed to raising up future generations family nature crafts, and a Bird Fair with vendors of indigenous biologists wherever he works, and info booths. Two fi eld trips and two workshops concentrating on building scientifi c capacity are just for kids: owl pellet dissection, drawing birds, in developing countries and training national and two Marsh birding trips. students and budding scientists in biodiversity Godwit Days also off ers free trips for ALL and conservation science. On Friday, after the free ages to Ma-le’l Dunes/Humboldt Coastal Nature opening reception, the second annual Humboldt Center, Patrick’s Point State Park, Arcata Marsh, County Bird of the Year award will be presented, Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Lanphere followed by 30-minute lectures by Friends of the Dunes, Arcata Community Forest (native plant Arcata Marsh (this year’s Spotlight Organization) walk), and Stone Lagoon (preregistration required). and Green Diamond Resource Company.

EcoNews Apr/May 2015 www.yournec.org 6 Save the Dates:

Marine Protected Areas Judge Orders Completion Coastal Programs Update We’re continuing to educate and promote our Bigfoot Trail to Traverse the Shore Lines: network of marine protected areas (MPAs) through of Conservation Plan for  e Emerald Magazine’s “Emerald Experience” Klamath Mountains column, which is being reprinted on Humboldt Klamath Refuges Jennifer Savage, Coastal Programs Director  e NEC continues beach monitoring County’s tourism website www.redwoods.info. If Michael Kauff man called neoendemics. Complex climate First, a huge thanks to everyone who has done and cleanups through our California Coastal you haven’t had a chance to explore alongside one Oregon Wild  e Bigfoot Trail is not a route to and soils nurture microsites which, in Commission-sponsored Japan Tsunami Marine essence, incubate biodiversity. something to support our local coast and shared of our MPAs, spring is a great time of year! Layer In early March, a US District Court Judge fi nd the region’s iconic hominids. Debris (JTMD) program, most recently joining Because of the Klamath ocean in this last year. Whether reducing your own up against the north winds (give thanks for the issued a preliminary fi nding ordering the US Fish It is, however, an experience with regular partners Friends of Del Norte in the Mountains’ central location and impact by buying less and riding your bike more, upwelling!), fi nd info on our website or at www. and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to complete the to commune with the mythic Crescent City area. NEC staff braved icy winds continuity with other mountain cleaning up a beach or sidewalk near your home, californiampas.org, check out the gorgeous new long overdue “Comprehensive Conservation Plan” qualities of the region’s ancient to cover the area north of Point St. George, while ranges along the Pacifi c Slope, signing a petition to ban single-use plastic bags, interpretive signs at our harbors and go see what for Lower Klamath and Tule Lake National Wildlife forests.  e Klamath Mountains’ Friend Joe Gillepsie and crew handled Kellogg this landscape is a mosaic of showing up at an Ocean Night event and/or being a all the hype is about. Refuges.  ese plans, mandated by law, require forests are so ancient, in fact, Beach.  ree buckets’ worth of garbage, plus a pile of habitats mix at a crossroads member of the NEC, your eff orts matter. the USFWS to ensure commercial activities on that the region is one of netting, large knotted tarp and more were removed of fi ve biotic regions—the refuge lands do not harm wildlife.  e preliminary the most diverse temperate from the beach.  e next JTMD cleanups will be Keep in Touch Cascades, Coast Range, Great The Anti-Trash Movement fi nding requires the USFWS to complete the plan coniferous forests on Earth. Saturday, April 18 at Samoa Beach and Sunday, In addition to EcoNews, you can follow along Basin, Central Valley, and Sierra Over the past several months, as my KHUM by August 1, 2016. Along its 360 miles, the April 19 at Point St. George. To get involved, email on marine and coastal issues through Coastal Nevada. Within the geologic Coastal Currents co-host Mike Dronkers phrased “ is is good news for anyone who cares about Bigfoot Trail crosses fi ve national Coastal Programs Assistant Madison Peters at Currents Wednesdays at noon on KHUM 104.7 FM, boundaries, there are 3,540 taxa it, we’ve watched “litter cleanups go mainstream.” wildlife like bald eagles, sandhill cranes, and white forests, six designated wilderness [email protected]. at the Lost Coast Outpost (www.lostcoastoutpost. (species, subspecies, and varieties) of Given the NEC’s 40 years of promoting California pelicans,” observed Bob Sallinger, Conservation areas, eight watersheds, one national com) with “Your Week in Ocean,” and on the vascular plants and up to 38 species of Coastal Cleanup Day and Adopt-A-Beach, we’re Director for the Audubon Society of Portland. park, and one state park. ocean-themed episodes of  e EcoNews Report— conifers. In addition to plants, the region holds thrilled to see the number of people actively Beach Cleanups “Time and time again, we have seen wetlands and I came up with the idea of the Bigfoot usually the last  ursday of the month at 1:30 exceptional diversity in amphibians, mammals, and working to keep trash out of our rivers and ocean California’s Coastal Cleanup Day will take wildlife areas on these refuges starved for water, Trail in 2008 while looking at maps of the Klamath p.m. on KHSU 90.5 FM.  e EcoNews Report airs birds.  e Bigfoot Trail is a route to experience it. grow exponentially. Credit must be given to Pacifi c place on Saturday, September 19 this year— while land leased to commercial agribusiness is Mountains with HSU professor John O. Sawyer to each  ursday with rotating hosts and covers a  e ultimate goal is to celebrate this exceptional Outfi tters’ “PacOut Green Team,” led by Aaron it’s never too early to put together a team or fully irrigated.  is has to stop.” discover ways to connect our regional wilderness variety of subjects. region with the Bigfoot Trail serving as a “window” Ostrom and Tim Haywood, who tirelessly dedicate contribute to the cause through sponsorships.  e National Wildlife Refuge System areas with a migrational corridor for the diverse for exploration.  e Bigfoot Trail Alliance (modeled one hour every Saturday to a diff erent location If your business is interested in helping support Improvement Act of 1997 requires that the plants and animals. We realized that this could be a after the Pacifi c Crest Trail Association or the along our coast. (To join their eff orts, fi nd them on the NEC’s coordination of this event, contact USFWS develop and implement a “Comprehensive long-distance hike for human ‘migration’ to celebrate Appalachian Trail Conservancy) will establish a Facebook or www.pacifi coutfi tters.com.) [email protected] or call us at 707-822-6918. Conservation Plan” (CCP) for each unit.  e CCP the forests.  e 360 mile route we developed passes community committed to constructing, promoting, Likewise, dumpsites around Alderpoint More opportunities abound through our describes desired future conditions and provides 32 conifer species!  is is a tough number to approach and protecting—in perpetuity—the Bigfoot Trail. have inspired a team of determined community Adopt-A-Beach program. Visit www.yournec.org/ long-range guidance and management direction almost anywhere else on Earth. For perspective, To do this, I am in process of creating  e Bigfoot members to action (see Kin to the Earth, page 11). marinedebris/adoptabeach-sites for a list of sites. to achieve the purposes of the refuge and ensure in 2002 I hiked over 3,200 miles of the Continental Trail Alliance (BFTA) as a 501(c)(3) non-profi t to commercial activities on refuge lands do not Divide Trail and identifi ed only 25 species of conifers. oversee these functions. Soon, this organization will undermine wildlife conservation. All plans were Complex interactions between biotic and organize trail work, foster outreach and educational supposed to be completed by October 9, 2012. Five abiotic factors have encouraged and nurtured experiences, and direct scientifi c research along the Klamath Refuges still have not released a draft. biodiversity in the Klamath Mountains for millions Bigfoot Trail. Please visit the trail’s website www. Lower Klamath and Tule Lake National Wildlife of years.  e region is a botanical museum, hiding bigfoottrail.org or email [email protected] to Refuges lease more than 22,000 acres of refuge lands relics of epochs gone by called paleoendemics and share your thoughts. to private agribusiness interests. Lands set aside promoting the adaptive evolution of new species by law as wetlands for eagles and geese are instead managed for commercial agriculture. Worse, in the drought-plagued Klamath Basin it has become common practice for refuge wetlands to be cut off from water even as private agribusiness on refuge Humboldt Women.org lands is fully irrigated. Water for wetlands has cut JOGP!IVNCPMEUXPNFOPSH
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E off repeatedly in recent years, sparking outbreaks of avian botulism and other diseases that have ic inte Building a businessH is nou easy m btask. o l dt killed tens of thousands of migratory birds. organ grity Humboldt Women wants to help.  e judges ruling comes as the Klamath Basin to your basket b ay prepares for yet another drought year. According NEC sta Cherry Sirpan and Madison Peters haul away debris during a February JTMD cleanup. Photo: Jennifer Savage. to the US Natural Resources Conservation Service, The North Coast Co-op is the only E x p lo r a 2015 is shaping up to be another severe drought Certified Organic Retailer on the North l a a H í a year, with snowpack in the Klamath Basin just Coast! Our knowledgeable employees b Forest Carbon Offsets Available for Purchase 10% of normal. A completed Comprehensive handle all certified organic products in For info on Humboldt Baykeeper’s free Conservation Plan would give the USFWS an O set your carbon footprint! accordance with federal regulations from natural history tours, call (707) 825-1020 metric important tool to ensure that in drought years Makes a great local gi! $10/ton commercial activities on the refuges do not harm the delivery truck to your basket. or visit humboldtbaykeeper.org. Purchase local forest carbon offsets .BSDI

8JOOFST from the Arcata Community Forest to fi sh and wildlife conservation. Para información e Happysobre Butchers tours de la historia offset greenhouse gasses. Every metric REDUCE, RE-USE, & RECYCLE GREAT RE-SALE ITEMS! “ e Fish and Wildlife Service has both a legal Photo by Bob Doran Stop into the Hospice Shop for some “new to you” treasures! natural en español y inglés llama ton purchased offsets carbon dioxide and moral responsibility to ensure the needs of Humboldt Women is a grassroots organization that gives gasses equivalent to a round-trip flight (707) 825-1020 o visita between SFO and JFK airports. wildlife take priority on America’s National Wildlife monthly grants to women in business. www.northcoast.coop Apply onlinehumboldtbaykeeper.org. to receive a membership to Humboldt Women Please contact the Refuges,” concluded John DeVoe, Executive and to enter at a chance to win $500 towards your business. Environmental Services Department 6th & H Streets, Arcata • 826-2545 Director of WaterWatch of Oregon. “ is ruling 8 11 I St. in Arcata • (707) 822-5947 (707) 822-8184 [email protected] Open Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-5pm HumboldtWomen.org www.cityofarcata.org/departments/environmental-services/city-forests should be a wake-up call to the agency to stop 25 4th St. in Eureka • (707) 443-6027 dragging its feet and do its job.” 7 www.yournec.org Apr/May 2015 EcoNews ADS Judge Orders Completion Bigfoot Trail to Traverse the of Conservation Plan for Klamath Mountains Klamath Refuges Michael Kauff man called neoendemics. Complex climate Oregon Wild e Bigfoot Trail is not a route to and soils nurture microsites which, in essence, incubate biodiversity. In early March, a US District Court Judge fi nd the region’s iconic hominids. Because of the Klamath issued a preliminary fi nding ordering the US Fish It is, however, an experience Mountains’ central location and and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to complete the to commune with the mythic continuity with other mountain long overdue “Comprehensive Conservation Plan” qualities of the region’s ancient ranges along the Pacifi c Slope, for Lower Klamath and Tule Lake National Wildlife forests. e Klamath Mountains’ this landscape is a mosaic of Refuges. ese plans, mandated by law, require forests are so ancient, in fact, habitats mix at a crossroads the USFWS to ensure commercial activities on that the region is one of of fi ve biotic regions—the refuge lands do not harm wildlife. e preliminary the most diverse temperate Cascades, Coast Range, Great fi nding requires the USFWS to complete the plan coniferous forests on Earth. Basin, Central Valley, and Sierra by August 1, 2016. Along its 360 miles, the Nevada. Within the geologic “ is is good news for anyone who cares about Bigfoot Trail crosses fi ve national boundaries, there are 3,540 taxa wildlife like bald eagles, sandhill cranes, and white forests, six designated wilderness (species, subspecies, and varieties) of pelicans,” observed Bob Sallinger, Conservation areas, eight watersheds, one national vascular plants and up to 38 species of Director for the Audubon Society of Portland. park, and one state park. conifers. In addition to plants, the region holds “Time and time again, we have seen wetlands and I came up with the idea of the Bigfoot exceptional diversity in amphibians, mammals, and wildlife areas on these refuges starved for water, Trail in 2008 while looking at maps of the Klamath birds. e Bigfoot Trail is a route to experience it. while land leased to commercial agribusiness is Mountains with HSU professor John O. Sawyer to e ultimate goal is to celebrate this exceptional fully irrigated. is has to stop.” discover ways to connect our regional wilderness region with the Bigfoot Trail serving as a “window” e National Wildlife Refuge System areas with a migrational corridor for the diverse for exploration. e Bigfoot Trail Alliance (modeled Improvement Act of 1997 requires that the plants and animals. We realized that this could be a after the Pacifi c Crest Trail Association or the USFWS develop and implement a “Comprehensive long-distance hike for human ‘migration’ to celebrate Appalachian Trail Conservancy) will establish a Conservation Plan” (CCP) for each unit. e CCP the forests. e 360 mile route we developed passes community committed to constructing, promoting, describes desired future conditions and provides 32 conifer species! is is a tough number to approach and protecting—in perpetuity—the Bigfoot Trail. long-range guidance and management direction almost anywhere else on Earth. For perspective, To do this, I am in process of creating e Bigfoot to achieve the purposes of the refuge and ensure in 2002 I hiked over 3,200 miles of the Continental Trail Alliance (BFTA) as a 501(c)(3) non-profi t to commercial activities on refuge lands do not Divide Trail and identifi ed only 25 species of conifers. oversee these functions. Soon, this organization will undermine wildlife conservation. All plans were Complex interactions between biotic and organize trail work, foster outreach and educational supposed to be completed by October 9, 2012. Five abiotic factors have encouraged and nurtured experiences, and direct scientifi c research along the Klamath Refuges still have not released a draft. biodiversity in the Klamath Mountains for millions Bigfoot Trail. Please visit the trail’s website www. Lower Klamath and Tule Lake National Wildlife of years. e region is a botanical museum, hiding bigfoottrail.org or email [email protected] to Refuges lease more than 22,000 acres of refuge lands relics of epochs gone by called paleoendemics and share your thoughts. to private agribusiness interests. Lands set aside promoting the adaptive evolution of new species by law as wetlands for eagles and geese are instead managed for commercial agriculture. Worse, in the drought-plagued Klamath Basin it has become common practice for refuge wetlands to be cut off from water even as private agribusiness on refuge Humboldt Women.org lands is fully irrigated. Water for wetlands has cut JOGP!IVNCPMEUXPNFOPSH
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E off repeatedly in recent years, sparking outbreaks of avian botulism and other diseases that have ic inte Building a businessH is nou easy m btask. o l dt killed tens of thousands of migratory birds. organ grity Humboldt Women wants to help. e judges ruling comes as the Klamath Basin to your basket b ay prepares for yet another drought year. According to the US Natural Resources Conservation Service, The North Coast Co-op is the only E x p lo r a 2015 is shaping up to be another severe drought Certified Organic Retailer on the North l a a H í a year, with snowpack in the Klamath Basin just Coast! Our knowledgeable employees b 10% of normal. A completed Comprehensive handle all certified organic products in For info on Humboldt Baykeeper’s free Conservation Plan would give the USFWS an natural history tours, call (707) 825-1020 important tool to ensure that in drought years accordance with federal regulations from the delivery truck to your basket. or visit humboldtbaykeeper.org. commercial activities on the refuges do not harm .BSDI

8JOOFST fi sh and wildlife conservation. Para información e Happysobre Butchers tours de la historia “ e Fish and Wildlife Service has both a legal natural en españolPhoto by Bob Doran y inglés llama and moral responsibility to ensure the needs of Humboldt Women is a grassroots organization that gives wildlife take priority on America’s National Wildlife monthly(707) grants 825-1020 to women oin visitabusiness. www.northcoast.coop Apply onlinehumboldtbaykeeper.org. to receive a membership to Humboldt Women Refuges,” concluded John DeVoe, Executive and to enter at a chance to win $500 towards your business. Director of WaterWatch of Oregon. “ is ruling 8 11 St. in Arcata (707) 822-5947 I • HumboldtWomen.org should be a wake-up call to the agency to stop 25 4th St. in Eureka • (707) 443-6027 dragging its feet and do its job.” EcoNews Apr/May 2015 www.yournec.org 8 shasta

Poaching and Vandalism on Public Lands damRobs Future Generations likely be a deal breaker in 2016 elections but both sides will use the votes to seek campaign donations. Another Downside  e fi ght is generally considered to Eye be a draw at this point. to Raising Shasta Dam No Easy Energy Answers Tom Stokely, California Water Information on “All of the Above” is an easy Network (C-WIN) platitude for politicians to say when talking about America’s energy A report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife policy, but it means very little in Service, guardians of the Endangered Species Act, Washington practice. Each project has its own is raising blood pressures throughout another set of short-term and long-term federal agency that’s been working for years on a Federal Budget Scuffles environmental and public health issues. controversial plan to raise Shasta Dam 18 ½ feet, When Congress began committee hearings, Solar energy is popular with homeowners increasing water storage by 14 percent. there was a verbal scuffl e between Department who cover roofs and small areas for personal As the $1.1 billion plan has progressed it’s been of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Jewell and newly consumption, but we are moving into corporate bolstered by claims that the taller dam of the future appointed Chairman of the Senate Energy & solar production. According to a Federal Register will mean regular releases of more cold water into Natural Resources Committee, Lisa Murkowski (R- Notice on March 6th of this year, the Bureau of Land the Sacramento River, which will improve habitat AK). When Sec. Jewell came before Murkowski’s Management (BLM) is beginning the evaluation and help increase the numbers of endangered committee to discuss the 2016 DOI budget of a proposed project “…on 4,845 acres of public Chinook salmon on the Sacramento River. increases, Murkowski reminded Jewell of Congress’ land with the solar fi eld occupying approximately  at point has been important in the Bureau of power over the budget and made veiled threats 2,453 acres on lands within the Riverside East Reclamation’s campaign to convince the public — such as cutting the budget for seasonal hiring of Solar Energy Zone (SEZ), southwest of Blythe, especially in the North State — that raising the dam rangers and biologists in the DOI. Some of the California.”  is project would begin what could is more than just a water grab pushed by thirsty DOI’s increased budget request acknowledges become the largest solar producing plant in the and politically powerful farmers in the Westlands the Departments plans to celebrate the 100th world but would rob thousands of acres of desert Water District south of the Delta. anniversary of the National Park Service; a ecosystems of the sun that defi nes it and may pose  at’s a fi sh tale, say Fish and Wildlife biologists, celebration that has engaged large sums of private a threat to passing birds. whose draft report was completed two months ago donors to match federal dollars to help repair and Nuclear energy is a constant undercurrent and had been circulating quietly through the federal enhance the national park system. topic on Capitol Hill but seems to be under the bureaucracy until environmentalists popped it into  e Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) is radar for most Americans in spite of lack of a public view with a Freedom of Information Act proposing a smaller budget for his agencies, safe storage plan for radioactive waste generated request. particularly the National Conservation Service, which and the real possibility that nuclear energy is not In fact, the report says, increased fl ows would provides hands-on advice as well as dollars to private economically sustainable without large sums of destroy salmon habitat in one of the world’s most landowners that agree to step up conservation and taxpayer subsidies. Decades of research has not renowned fl y fi shing rivers.  ere would be no net fi re prevention on private lands. With non-negotiable solved the problem of radioactive waste. benefi ts to the fi sh and the negative impacts cannot USDA programs from food stamps to US Forest Check out the local nuclear power plant be mitigated. Service functions to fund, the conservation services employees book, “My Humboldt Diary” and our  is page has not taken a position on whether seem one of only a few programs to cut. article about his very personal story on our website at or not the state’s largest dam should be raised. Keystone Anyone? www.yournec.org/econews/myhumboldtdiary  ose southern farms, large and small, are certainly Congress was determined and able to pass a Huffing and Puffing Over Wolves important to the state and national economy. Any bill through both chambers to force the hand of Alaska’s multi-decade US Representative local jobs generated by dam expansion construction President Obama to permit the construction of the Don Young made headlines at a hearing about would be welcome, but purely temporary. Keystone XL Pipeline through the central states but delisting the endangered gray wolf when he said the  ere are plenty of negatives. lost steam when it came to garnering the necessary following about fellow representatives opposing  e Wintu lost almost 5,000 acres of their votes for an override to Obama’s veto.  e issue has the delisting: “ ey haven’t got a damn wolf in traditional territory, some of it considered sacred energized a new generation of conservationists, their whole district. I’d like to introduce them to ground, when the dam was completed and the working with those who have worked the your district, and you wouldn’t have a homeless reservoir fi lled in 1945.  ey stand to lose more conservation trenches for decades. Will the new problem anymore.” sacred sites along the McCloud River if the dam enthusiasm persist to provide a meaningful voice Unfortunately, shenanigans like these may be is raised. in the future or was this just a convenient campaign the most productivity to come from this deeply Raising Shasta’s high water mark would which will be shortly forgotten. Keystone will not divided Congress. obliterate... Continued on page 21

Ask St. Joe’s to Divest from Fossil Fuels—Don’t Invest in Industries that Make Us Sick! Communities across California are calling on St. with the 14 hospital health system’s mission to cure is too diabolical a business plan for a healing Joseph Health System to stop investing in fossil “improve the health and quality of life of people in the institution, especially one that doesn’t pay taxes fuels because air pollution and climate change are communities we serve”. because it operates for the community’s bene t. damaging their health. The fossil fuel industry spends billions to lobby It is likely that the good Sisters would divest if Air pollution, primarily from fossil fuel, kills 20,000 against and undermine clean air and clean energy the request is made by many voices from all the Californians each year. Financing activities which legislation like California’s Global Warming Solutions communities they serve. cause asthma, autism, heart disease, cancer, and Act. Investing in stu which makes us sick, charging Sign the divestment petition at the spread of infectious disease is incompatible us for treatment, and using the proceeds to thwart a www.facebook.com/sjhdivest

9 www.yournec.org Apr/May 2015 EcoNews ADS shasta dam Westside Salvage Lily Pesticides Continued om page 3 Contaminate ...their health and productivity. After a forest Fire exclusion has set the stage for more intense fi re burns, the largest trees usually remain alive, wildfi res and severe impacts to communities. It has the small overcrowded trees are cleared out, and caused the wholesale conversion of critical habitat Smith River the snags that are left become wildlife habitat.  e for threatened fi sh and wildlife. Greg King, Smith River Alliance downed trees hold the slopes together, enhance What we need are strategic linear treatments Ninety-fi ve percent of all Easter lily bulbs soil complexity and eventually become fi sh habitat that allow us to bring good fi re (controlled burns) (lilium longifl orum) produced in North America when they fall into the waterways. back to the Wildland Urban Interface safely so are grown along a tiny sliver of coastline in Historically, cultural burning was used as our mountain communities can embrace letting northwestern California and southwestern a means to thin out the understory, open up the wildfi res burn in the backcountry. If implemented Oregon.  e bulk of these bulbs come from the forests for fruit and nut producing trees and shrubs, as planned, adjacent communities will still be rich bottomlands of the Smith River Plain, in Del enhance meadows and cultivate basket weaving at risk from future wildfi res. Extensive logging Norte County, which surrounds the estuary of the materials and medicines. on unstable soils will further impact threatened biologically critical Smith River. In order to sustain Much of the project area is located within coho salmon, and we will be no closer to a lasting this sprawling monoculture, lily farmers have the ancestral territory of the Karuk Tribe. Craig solution to our fi re problems.” resorted to applying large amounts of pesticides. Tucker, Karuk Tribe Natural Resource Policy  e Forest Service is requesting a streamlined  ese pesticides, as we now know from four Advocate, made the following statement regarding planning process, which could shorten public signifi cant discoveries, since the 1980s, of toxic the project: “ e Karuk Tribe questions whether comment opportunities and speed up the waters in and around the estuary, could prove the aggressive timeline for developing this project environmental review process, leaving very little to be the greatest challenge to the Smith River’s allows for a thorough analysis of the environmental time to review the Draft Environmental Impact aquatic species, particularly its iconic salmon and and cultural impacts.  is is probably the largest Statement. steelhead populations. timber sale in the history of the Klamath Basin  e DEIS was released on March 5th and the It turns out that fi nding pesticide contamination and thus deserves to be analyzed at length and in comment deadline is April 13th.  e project is on at the estuary of one of the cleanest, wildest great detail before implementation. We support the fast track with an expedited environmental rivers in North America is not a diffi cult task. responsible logging and fuels reduction around review process that will be 135 days shorter than  e fi rst discovery occurred during the 1980s, our communities but we also demand that cultural usual.  e US Forest Service was granted alternative when the California North Coast Regional Water resources, fi sheries and water quality not be arrangements to shorten the public comment Quality Control Board found, at minimum, forty- sacrifi ced in the process.” period from 45 days to 30 days. Logging is expected seven wells contaminated with the pesticides  e project focuses on short-term economic to begin in July—an unprecedented streamlined 1,2-dichloropropane and aldicarb, both carcinogens gains—without considering ecological and social process for one of the largest post-fi re timber sales and both deadly to aquatic organisms. One of the costs—and fails to include alternatives that would ever proposed in the history of the United States. wells contained 160 parts per billion of 1,2-D, one truly protect communities.  e Forest Service says of the highest readings in the nation. After fi nding they have to speed up the planning process because TAKE ACTION NOW! the contamination and issuing a report, the Water they are afraid that the timber they want to extract Comments can be submitted online at: Board took no action and simply left residents of is going to decay. the town of Smith River, and the fragile aquatic However, Will Harling, Fire and Fuels Program https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/ species of the estuary, without a state advocate for Co-Director for the Mid Klamath Watershed Public/CommentInput?Project=45579 clean-up and enforcement. Council says, “ e real emergency here is not  e second fi nding of contamination occurred rotting timber, but the fact that nearly 50% of the Visit www.wildcalifornia.org for more in 2002, when the Smith River Project (which has Western Klamath Mountains hasn’t seen fi re in opportunities to comment. since merged with... Continued on page 19 over a century.

Missaiya’s Carol Ann Connors New World Water 707-725-3400 “Community not Corporations” 654 Main Street, Fortuna [email protected] NEW WORLD WATER CA License #0E79262 778 18th Street, Arcata 707-822-7066 381 Bayside Road, Arcata, CA 95521

EcoNews Apr/May 2015 www.yournec.org 10 Kin to the Earth: Eel River Cleanup Crews Justin Zakoren In the fi rst few months of 2015, community members from throughout southern Humboldt County have been rallying to roadsides, ridgetops, creek beds, and campsites, to confront the growing presence of trash in and surrounding their communities. So far, cleanup eff orts in the Alderpoint and Garberville-Redway areas have resulted in more than 15,000 pounds of trash being removed from roadsides, campsites, and Eel River tributaries.  e individuals leading this ongoing eff ort are a diverse crew who share the same common vision: a cleaner, healthier Humboldt. Mike Miller is the veteran of this cast of cleanup leaders. He has been doing cleanups in the area for the last three years, visiting a homeless camp cleanup site, dropping off unused garbage bags to the residents, and picking up the bags they have fi lled since his last visit. Initially, Miller Anderson had to take action, “You gotta be the from county government. Currently, the county worried that the cleaned sites would just get positive change!” only sets aside $2400 to cover community cleanup trashed again. But so far his “checkups on cleaned For Anderson, a critical part of this movement dump fees, an amount this year’s clean up eff orts sites reveal cooperation from the homeless.” Miller is to educate and raise community awareness have already exceeded! Like St. Clair, a major goal looks forward to “passing the baton” to the next about the harms of illegal dumping, the lack of for Machado is “getting the county on board,” and generation of cleanup leaders like Brian St. Clair, social services for the homeless, and the cannabis admits that thus far there hasn’t been much of a Chris “Toph” Anderson, Amy Machado, and industry’s role in the proliferation of abandoned response from offi cials. Leeana Schultz. “trimmigrant” camps. It is key that the community In the Alderpoint area, where Leeana Schultz Brian St. Clair, originally from Michigan, arrived in addresses these problems and that more folks grew up (her family owns the Alderpoint Store, the SoHum area a little over three years ago with a pack develop a strong “pack it in, pack it out” philosophy. the only general store in the area) illegal dumping on his back and no place to stay. But soon, St. Clair Amy Machado, a school teacher and PacOut has become a major problem. Schultz suggests started getting involved with the Mateel Community Green Team member in the north county, also saw that much of this has to do with how expensive Center (he is now an active board member) and the Dronkers video, and responded by creating the the town dump can be. According to Schultz, the started working for the Garberville Redway Area “Eel River cleanup party: power in numbers and the dump charges “$9 per contractor bag,” too much Chamber of Commerce as the “cleanup guy”. music” Facebook group page as a way to connect for community members who can’t fi nd work  e next step in the cleanup eff ort, according with other community members interested in and get stuck without other options. to St. Clair, is to see “more people stepping up and tackling this issue. As she learned about the regular But, Schultz sees that the recent cleanup eff ort getting involved. Liking something on Facebook is cleanups already underway in Southern Humboldt is changing the community. When the cleanup great, but when you have hundreds of likes for a she realized that her group could give support eff ort started, others caught the bug and started posted cleanup and then fi ve to ten folks showing to existing eff orts.  e Facebook group had 600 cleaning up their properties and around town. For up at the next one, it makes you wonder.” He would members by the end of its fi rst week. By the Schultz, these cleanups present good opportunities really like to see diff erent people showing up each second, the Southern Humboldt Technical Rescue for the local youth where they learn there’s no week, so volunteers don’t get burned out and the group had gotten involved, aiding a steep hillside shame in being the “good guy” and “kids can movement doesn’t lose momentum. cleanup near Alderpoint. By the third week, Amy look back and have a sense of pride” in caring for Chris “Toph” Anderson became involved in had begun a fundraising campaign, raising roughly their community. the ongoing Southern Humboldt cleanup eff ort $3500 in a little over a month. Together, Mike, Brian, Chris, Amy, and Leeana when he saw a video of photos taken of cleanup Machado hopes that by documenting how show us all what positive, motivated individuals sites posted in January by Mike Dronkers on the much trash is being collected and the costs of can do for a community and for the environment. Lost Coast Outpost website. After seeing the video, removal, their group can get a positive response You too can get involved and make a diff erence!

11 www.yournec.org Apr/May 2015 EcoNews The andpiper APRIL / MAY 2015 Redwood Region Audubon Society www.rras.org SFIELD TRIPS Every Saturday: Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary. Visitor Center at 9:00 a.m. Call Jude Power or David Fix Saturday, May 9: Freshwater Farms Reserve. Meet at These are our famous rain-or-shine, docent-led fi eld trips (707-822-3613) for more information. 9 a.m. at North Coast Regional Land Trust’s Freshwater at the Marsh. Bring your binocular(s) and have a great Farm on Myrtle Avenue near Freshwater Corner. Michael morning birding! Meet in the parking lot at the end of Saturday, April 18: Southern Humboldt Community Cipra will give a brief introduction to their current RRAS- South I Street (Klopp Lake) in Arcata at 8:30 a.m. Trips Park. Jay Sooter (707-444-8001) and/or John Gaffi n supported salt marsh and future freshwater/brackish end around 11 a.m. lead this monthly walk. All ages and experience levels marsh restoration efforts before we explore the area and are encouraged to participate and revel in the beauty adjacent streamside riparian forest areas. Access to this Saturday, April 11: Alderpoint. Enjoy the birds, plant of the park and its avian inhabitants on this easy 2- to area is currently by permission only, so this is a special life, and reptiles of the Eel River canyon on this full- 3-hour walk. Binoculars are not provided, and dogs are trip to visit this site. For more information, contact trip day trip along Alderpoint Rd and south of the town of not allowed; fi eld guides are usually available, but please leader Chet Ogan (707-442-9353) and leave a message. Alderpoint. We will bird select locations along Alderpoint provide your own if possible. Steady rain cancels. Meet at road fi rst and then walk the Alderpoint railroad tracks to 9:00 a.m., parking by the kiosk near the farmhouse in the Saturday, May 9: Nocturnal Storm-Petrels. Join Elias Cain Rock Trestle to have lunch and look for Rufous- main entrance. Please note the day change. Elias (707-633-8833; [email protected] ) for crowned Sparrows. In 2012 a washout along the railroad an evening of land-based seabird watching. We will walk tracks took a bit of work to cross, and the same will Sunday, April 19: Eureka Waterfront. Meet at 9:00 a.m. the dirt path to the tip of Tepona Point. We expect to get go for this year. Other species like Oak Titmouse, Blue- at the foot of Del Norte St where we will scope for birds glimpses of Leach’s Storm-Petrel as they fl y through our gray Gnatcatcher, Ash-throated Flycatcher, and similar off the public dock until everyone assembles. We will then spotlight beams and around an offshore rock. We sometimes birds of dry habitats in southeast Humboldt County can drive to the base of the Hikshari’ Trail at Truesdale St and see them land and slip into the grass covering the top of be expected, along with just-arrived summer residents. bird along the trail to the Elk River Wildlife Area. Leader: the rock. Bring warm clothes, binoculars, scope, and a Diogenes’ lantern, interior live-oak, and birch-leaf Ralph Bucher (707-499-1247; [email protected]). fl ashlight to walk out to the point. The more spotlights, the mountain-mahogany will be seen as well. Take sun better. For this trip we will be granted a permit to park in protection, layered clothing, and a small pack for carrying Saturday, May 2: Dyerville Loop. Let’s get loopy! The the lot after hours. Meet at the Luffenholtz Beach County lunch and water. Meet in the Ray’s Food Place parking seldom-birded Dyerville Loop Rd winds 29 miles through Park parking lot at 9 p.m. (https://goo.gl/maps/HIWx9) lot in Garberville at 8:30 a.m. We should return to the forest and prairie in southern Humboldt. We’ll explore its and plan to end around 11 p.m. Humboldt Bay area late afternoon (~5 p.m.). Contact length, north to south, looking and listening for whatever Tony Kurz (559-333-0893; [email protected]) we may fi nd. This will be primarily a road-birding trip, but Sunday, May 10: Humboldt Bay National Wildlife for more information. be prepared for some walking, to be out all day with no Refuge. See April 12. access to stores or restrooms, and to carpool. Meet leader Sunday, April 12: Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Ken Burton (707-499-1146) at the Herrick Avenue Park & Saturday, May 16: Southern Humboldt Community Refuge. This is a wonderful 2- to 3-hour trip for people Ride, Eureka, at 7:30 a.m.; if you want to join the group Park. See April 18. wanting to learn the birds of the Humboldt Bay area. It farther south, call Ken in advance. takes a leisurely pace with emphasis on enjoying the birds! Sunday, May 17: Eureka Waterfront. See April 19. Beginners are more than welcome. Meet at the Refuge

April Program: Friday, April 10 May Program: Friday, May 8 California Condor in the Environmental Challenges of Marijuana Cultivation Pacific Northwest: in Northern California Forests A Return to the Heart of the Range Dr. Greta Wengert, assistant director and senior ecologist for Integral Ecology Research Center, a nonprofi t research This talk was postponed from January. Chris West, senior organization dedicated to wildlife conservation, will talk about wildlife biologist for the Yurok Tribe, will briefl y discuss the direct ecological effects of marijuana cultivation on forest the biology of condors and their history in the region. wildlife and their ecosystems in California's national Condors have been culturally signifi cant to regional forests. She will discuss the recent discoveries native peoples, and it was only natural for the Yurok Tribe of more indirect and covert environmental to get involved in recovery efforts. Chris will update us on effects of these activities, ranging what 6 years of habitat assessment by the tribe has revealed from directly poisoned wildlife to about conditions in our area and how work toward condor contaminants in soil. She will highlight recovery here in the Pacifi c Northwest is progressing. He’ll the opportunities for estimating effects also discuss next steps that it is hoped will lead to the shadows across the landscape and the extent of these giant birds gracing our northern forests once again. of this egregious problem and © Chris West present some short-term solutions. Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

Programs start at 7:30 p.m. at Eureka High School Lecture Hall at the corner of Humboldt and K Streets. Bring a mug to enjoy shade-grown coffee, and please come fragrance-free. CHAPTER LEADERS OFFICERS President’s Column President— Hal Genger …………...... 707-499-0887 By Hal Genger Vice President ...... Vacant It’s spring again! The days are getting longer, Secretary—Adam Brown...... 707-826-0319 Treasurer—Syn-dee Noel...... 707-442-8862 flowers are blooming, and the birds are migrating and singing their breeding songs. This year around DIRECTORS AT LARGE 120 people attended our annual banquet. I especially Ralph Bucher …...... 707-443-6944 want to thank the following folks who planned and Joe Ceriani …...... 707-476-9127 participated in our annual banquet: Jill Demers for Jill Demers ……………………………… 707-667-6163 Harriet Hill………………………………. 707-267-4055 planning and coordinating the banquet, Uniquely Cindy Moyer...... …..… 707-822-1806 Yours for providing excellent food, violinist Cindy Chet Ogan …...... … 707-442-9353 Moyer and Karen Davy for serenading us, Jared Susan Penn...... …...... …. 707-443-9660 Wolf for securing Dr. Christopher Clark to visit, Dr. C.J. Ralph ...... ….. 707-822-2015 RRAS Continues to Clark for giving a phenomenal presentation about OTHER CHAPTER LEADERS Support Godwit Days hummingbird flight, and all of you for soliciting donations and helping set up the event. Thank you! Conservation — Jim Clark ...... …... 707-445-8311 The 20th annual Godwit Days Spring Migration Bird Eductn/Scholarships — Denise Seeger ....707-444-2399 Festival will be held April 17-19 at the Arcata Community As noted in Gary Friedrichsen’s article, RRAS eBird Liaison — Rob Fowler …………... 707-839-3493 Center. During the festival, RRAS will be operating the is cosponsoring a Birdathon with the NEC this May, Field Notes — Daryl Coldren...... …..... 916-384-8089 Godwit Café (open Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m. and I encourage all to join in. We will be advertising Field Trips— Rob Fowler ………...... ….. 707-839-3493 to 3 p.m.) and selling RRAS merchandise. For the 12th this again at Godwit Days, or you can check it out Finance— Syn-dee Noel ...... 707-442-8862 year, RRAS is cosponsoring a Student Bird Art Contest. online at http://yournec.org/events/birdathon. Here Historian — John Hewston ...... 707-822-5288 Last year a record 765 entries were received from K-12 are the possible prizes for participating: 1st prize: Membership — Susan Penn.…...... 707-443-9660 students and posted in the Community Center lobby. from Out of This World in Mendocino, a pair of NEC Representative — C.J. Ralph...... 707-822-2015 Godwit Days offers 85 field trips, workshops, 8X30 Opticron Savanna Binoculars; 2nd prize: Nominating – Jim Clark …...... 707-445-8311 lectures, and boat excursions. Free community events from Paul Fitzgerald at Larrupin Café, a $50 gift Programs — Jared Wolfe...... 262-443-6866 include an art show, vendor booths, opening reception Publications — C.J. Ralph...... ….. 707-822-2015 certificate; 3rd prize: from Gary Friedrichsen, a and lectures, live raptors on display, several field trips and Custom Pelagic Trip out of Eureka. These are among Publicity — Harriet Hill...... 707-267-4055 workshops, and family nature activities. For easy online Sandpiper (Editor)—Jan Andersen ….… 707-616-3888 registration and a complete list of events, visit www. the great reasons to go birding and at the same time Sandpiper (Layout)— Gary Bloomfield ...707-362-1226 godwitdays.org or call 707-826-7050. help RRAS and NEC raise funds. Good Luck! Volunteer Coordinator — Susan Penn.…707-443-9660 Website Gatekeeper — Ralph Bucher...... 707-443-6944 Volunteering at Godwit Days Lake Earl Branch — Sue Calla...... 707-465-6191 Help hang student bird art contest entries on Friday, April Godwit Café Fundraiser: Get to hear about Godwit Days RRAS Web Page...... ……..... www.rras.org 17, starting at 1 p.m. at the Arcata Community Center. participants’ adventures while serving them drinks, Arcata Bird Alert ...... 707-822-LOON (707-822-5666) Bring a light hammer and something to hold pushpins breakfast snacks, and lunch. Shifts are at least 1 hour The Sandpiper is published six times each year by (e.g., carpenter’s belt, fanny pack). Contact Sue Leskiw between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. April 18-19 at the Arcata Redwood Region Audubon Society at [email protected] or 707-442-5444. Community Center. Contact volunteer coordinator Susan P.O. Box 1054, Eureka, CA 95502. Penn at [email protected] or 707-443-9660. Thinking of Joining the National Audubon Society? Conservation Notes: Probability and Consequence If so, please use the coupon below. By sending in your By Jim Clark membership on this form, rather than replying to solicita- tions from National Audubon, $20 is sent directly to RRAS. Probability is the likelihood that an event will occur our community and environment. We invite all who This is how NAS rewards local chapters for recruiting over a given span of time, and consequence is the care about our environment and want to participate national members. (Otherwise, the RRAS dues share per new member is only a couple of dollars.) Thank you. likely effect of the event. These factors are combined in our brain-stretching sessions to participate. You to come up with risk. When we deal with nature, need not be a biologist to contribute. Chapter Membership Application probability and consequence have broad and often Projects currently being considered are the Yes, I’d like to join. difficult-to-calculate values. Although imperfect, expansion of mariculture in Humboldt (Arcata) Bay, Please enroll me as a member of the National Audubon science is the best way we have to evaluate rerouting of Hwy 101 around Last Chance Grade, and Society and of my local chapter. Please send probability and consequence. Law is what we use a nesting-bird protection program. These items were AUDUBON magazine and my membership card to the ad- to apply scientific findings, and education is used to discussed at our March 11 meeting and will likely dress below. My check for $20 is enclosed. (Introductory offer) inform the public, including elected representatives, continue, along with new topics, at our April and May NAME______of this thing we call risk. Meetings. Our goal is to provide the RRAS board ADDRESS______The conservation committee strives to recommendations for positions on the committee- CITY ______evaluate ways to minimize the probability and evaluated projects. Our most recent position was on STATE______ZIP______consequences of adverse effects and maximize correction of environmental damage of marijuana- email ______potential positive effects. This is the case when growing operations if marijuana becomes regulated Local Chapter Code: C24 C1ZC240Z considering a proposed project of any kind. While by the state for recreational use. We are also Please make checks to the National Audubon Society. we have always used science in our decision making, working closely with Audubon California on Coast Send this application and your check to: we tend to emphasize the biological and earth-based Oyster Company’s and the Humboldt Bay Harbor, National Audubon Society sciences over sociology, economics, and political Recreation and Conservation District’s proposals to P.O. Box 422250 science. We also recognize that factors involving the expand mariculture in Humboldt Bay. Palm Coast, FL 32142-2250 social sciences must be considered in our positions The RRAS Conservation Committee meets on projects. As our interdisciplinary group discusses every second Wednesday at noon at the Golden ------LOCAL CHAPTER------the often messy but interesting complexities of an Harvest Restaurant in Arcata. REDWOOD REGION AUDUBON SOCIETY P.O. BOX 1054,EUREKA, CA 95502 array of projects and proposals, we learn more about 1st Annual Tim McKay Birdathon, May 1 to 9 By Gary Friedrichsen I’m proud to announce this year’s Birdathon to benefit the He was taken with the idea of helping not only the NEC bicycle and stayed right around the bay to do his count. If Northcoast Environmental Center (NEC) and RRAS. For but also the local Audubon chapter raise much-needed and memory serves, he tallied about 100 species was able to those of you who did not have the opportunity to know, hard-to-find funding. To that end, he began organizing our donate around $300 for his efforts. You could also find a or commune, cavort, or play poker with Tim McKay, a first Birdathon in 1980, which was held in May 1981. shady spot in your garden and dedicate an hour or 2 ticking short introduction is in order. Susie Van Kirk, who was The term “Birdathon” was first used in 1976 off birds at your feeder. It’s mainly to get your family, one of Tim’s many cohorts, put together an outstanding by Bird Studies Canada to describe a fundraising event friends, or local businesses to donate, have fun throughout biography that is worth looking up and reading in its in which participants solicit pledges from individuals, the process, and appreciate the work that is being done for entirety. For now I quote the beginning of her essay: families, and businesses for the bird species seen during the community by these 2 outstanding organizations. A life-long Californian, Tim McKay—naturalist, a prescribed time period and in a predetermined area. An The following quote by fellow birder Rose Ann writer, scholar, historian, environmental advocate—was example solicitation might be “Hey Bob! I’m going birding Rowlett captures a sentiment Tim embraced his whole executive director of the [NEC] in Arcata, California, from with some friends this next Saturday, and I’m trying to life: “Only with love do folks in the human realm care 1976 until his death in 2006. Under his leadership, the NEC raise money for my favorite nonprofit. Can I count on you deeply enough to act to protect the natural world. And love became an influential organization in regional campaigns to support me for, say, 30 cents a bird? We plan on staying develops through increased awareness and education—one for Wilderness, ancient forests, and salmon, and locally in Humboldt County, and we can only tick off species in bird, one plant, one salamander, one worm, one behavioral as the umbrella for every grassroots, “friends of” group one 24-hour period. We might see about 125 species, so ‘gee whiz’ at a time.” that took up the gauntlet as advocates for their home you would be donating about $37.50? What do you say?” Please go to http://yournec.org/events/birdathon watersheds. He was a man of persistence and unswerving I had the good fortune to bird with Tim on at least for sign-up sheets and a list of prizes for the 3 individuals dedication to the ecological complexities and beauties of 2 of these fundraising events during the 1980s. With 1 or or teams that raise the most funds this coming May. Good the natural world. McKay was gifted and had an insatiable 2 other birders, we would head up into the high country birding to all! drive for knowledge and a mind to match, allowing him to camp the night before and maybe get in some owling to absorb, retain, and use information to successfully during the evening. When the daylight and dawn chorus advocate for wild places, functioning ecosystems, and woke us up, we would be listening and looking to tally their associated fauna and flora. His ability with words, his every new species we encountered. Then we would head International Migratory scholarship, his passion, and an uncanny political savvy down to the valley below, working feeding flocks as we Bird Day, Orleans, May 8-9 transformed a fledgling group of the early environmental encountered them. Eventually it was back to the coast International Migratory Bird Day will be celebrated movement into a force to be reckoned with, and one that and a decision as to go north or south first. We would in Orleans on May 8 and 9. The local event, “Tony has left its mark across the regional landscape. Often select a direction depending on the tides. We would hit Hacking Memorial Bigfoot Birding Day,” will kick under personal attack, including threatening phone calls, Trinidad for rocky shore and seabirds, then College Cove McKay responded as a man confident in his position on for more riparian viewing. At some point, we would get to off Friday evening at 5:30 p.m. with a community the issues, always following his favorite rule-to-live-by: Humboldt Bay for shorebirds, a kingfisher hanging from potluck and presentation entitled “Restore Habitat, “Endless pressure, endlessly applied.” a power line, and maybe catch sight of an early Osprey Restore Birds.” On Saturday starting at 7:30 a.m., Born in 1947, Tim gravitated to Humboldt State hovering before the dive. Then on to King Salmon to get Tom Leskiw, Jude Power, and Gene Lodes will lead College and became deeply aware and heavily involved sea ducks, loons we might have missed earlier and other a bird walk to 2 locations in Orleans. Both events with the growing campaign to save the earth from divers. No matter what route you take or how many birds will be held at the Panamnik Building, 38150 Hwy Student Bird Art Entries overdevelopment and overexploitation of its resources. you see, a Birdathon should be fun. It’s a great opportunity 96, Orleans. Local entries in the Student Bird Art Joining the fledgling NEC was the springboard for his to spend an entire day with nature and in the process Due by March 20 talents to manifest themselves. collect donations for a worthy cause. Contest cosponsored by RRAS will be posted. For Being a birder, Tim knew of Point Reyes Bird It does not require a team as described above or more information, contact LeRoy Cyr at lcyr@ Observatory and was impressed by their Birdathon in 1977. even that much travel. One Birdathon participant used a fs.fed.us . A Glut of Northern Cardinals; A Dearth of Neotrops Enough is enough. Recently I sent the following letter. fail to see how your current selection enables citizens birding festivals that focus on “Neotrops.” to appreciate the uniqueness of your great state. • Finally, hummingbird aficionados make a April 1, 2015 Honorable Terry McAuliffe • Only 5 states have selected migrant birds that exhibit significant financial contribution to your state’s Governor of Virginia a classic north-south annual migration to be their state economy through their purchase of nectar, feeders, State Capitol, 3rd Floor bird. Currently, only 2 states—Oklahoma (Scissor- and landscape plants preferred by hummingbirds. Richmond, VA 23219 tailed Flycatcher) and Maryland (Baltimore Oriole)— Dear Sir, have designated neotropical migrant birds as their I can understand your position if, after having given state bird. Selecting the Ruby-throated Hummingbird the above matter due consideration, you elect to stay I recently came across a collection of 20-cent stamps is bound to encourage a host of insightful questions the course. If so, I wonder if you could use your (circa 1982) that depict the state flower and bird for all from curious schoolchildren. Namely, “Why don’t we considerable influence to discuss this matter with the 50 states. An avid birder, I was immediately struck by see the Ruby-throated in the winter? Where does it governor of South Dakota? Although I personally the popularity of the Northern Cardinal. Seven states go?” would never sink so low, the “Mount Rushmore” (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, • The passage of the North American Free Trade state is sometimes the butt of jokes, poking fun at its Virginia, and West Virginia) have selected the cardinal as Agreement and the tragedy of 9/11 have shown us that (supposedly) monotonous landscapes. Given South their state bird. I like cardinals as well as the next person. we need to pay more attention to global events. The Dakota’s diverse avifauna, I know its residents can do However, I do not make the following request lightly, and Ruby-throated Hummingbird winters from Mexico better than to designate the Ring-necked Pheasant—a I hope that you will give it some serious consideration. south to Panama. President Eisenhower started the Chinese import, a mere carpetbagger—as their winged “People to People (Sister City) Program” in 1956. totem. Might I suggest that your great state change its state bird Once the residents of your state better appreciate that to Ruby-throated Hummingbird? I believe the following they “share” the Ruby-throated with a number of Sincerely, points can be made in its behalf: other countries, it will result in a splendid opportunity Tom Leskiw for Virginia’s K-12 students—and other citizens— Eureka, CA • Although the selection of the Northern Cardinal to engage in dialog with the residents from, say, the might be attributed to the bird’s popularity, others Costa Rican city of San Jose. Happy April Fool’s Day! might well characterize its selection by 7 states in • City and rural dweller alike can undertake your region as a “creative black hole.” Regardless, I hummingbird watching. More than a few cities host Field Notes By Daryl Coldren SUMMARY OF NORTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA BIRD REPORTS

Hawk: many reports of 1-2, Arcata Bottoms, Bear River (DM, ST); 1, McKinleyville, 8 Feb (ML); 1, Mad River January 1 to February 28, 2015 Ridge, Ferndale Bottoms, Bald Hills Rd (MOb) • White- Rd, 24 Feb (RF, RH) • Lapland Longspur: 1, Bear River faced Ibis: 1, Salt River/Williams Creek, 4 Jan (GL) • Ridge, 14 Feb (JH); 2, Ferndale Bottoms-Goble Lane, 28 Field Notes is a compilation of bird-sighting reports Sandhill Crane: 1, Alexandre Dairy, HO-1 Feb (AB, Feb (AL, MOb) • Chestnut-collared Longspur: 5-6, for Del Norte, Humboldt, and Trinity counties. JD, EH); 2, Eel River Estuary Preserve, 27 Jan (AL, SB) Bear River Ridge, 31 Jan-24 Feb (JH, BH, RH, MOb) • • Pacifi c Golden-plover: 9, Ferndale Bottoms, 4 Jan Northern Waterthrush: 1, Arcata Marsh, HO-18 Feb Sources include the RRAS Bird Box (707-822- (MOb) • Black-and-white Warbler: 1, Crab Park, 4 Jan LOON), the online northwestern California (OH); 1, South Spit, 13 Jan (CO); 1, Crab Park, 17 Jan (RF, MOb) • Mountain Plover: 1, South Spit, 20-27 Jan (DF, JP); 1, Humboldt Bay NWR-Salmon Creek Unit, 18 birding and information exchange (nwcalbird@ (SM, BE, MOb) • Rock Sandpiper: 1-6, North and South Jan (GCo) • Palm Warbler: many reports of 1-3, Arcata yahoogroups.com), eBird (http://ebird.org/content/ Jetties, HO-28 Feb (MOb); 1-3, Point St. George, HO-8 Marsh, Arcata Bottoms, Ferndale Bottoms, Humboldt klamathsiskiyou), and reports submitted directly to Feb (AB, CD, DC, MOb) • Franklin’s Gull: 1, Arcata Bay NWR, Eureka, McKinleyville, 1 Jan-28 Feb (MOb) the compiler. Reports may be submitted to any of Marsh, 1 Jan (MC); 1, Ferndale Bottoms-Coffee Creek • Black-throated Blue Warbler: 1 adult male, Smith the sources mentioned above or to Daryl Coldren: Rd, 4-5 Jan (CO, MMa, KB) • Glaucous Gull: 1-3, Crab River-Ritmar Creek, 10 Jan-15 Feb (TA, AB, MOb) • Wilson’s Warbler: Salt River/Williams Creek (916) 384-8089; [email protected]. Park, 8-25 Jan (SR, DR, AL, MOb); 1, Mad River Mouth, 1, , 4 Jan 18 Jan (TM); 1, Centerville, 14 Feb (DO); 1, Smith River, (GL); 1, Ferndale Bottoms-Salt River, 4 Jan (OH); 1, 17 Feb (ToK); 1, Arcata Marsh, 21 Feb (CO); 1, Eureka Arcata Marsh, 21 Feb (CO) • Clay-colored Sparrow: 2, HO = Hold Over from previous period; MOb = Waterfront-Elk River, 28 Feb (TrK) • Common Tern: 1, Jolly Giant Creek, 9 Feb (RF) • Swamp Sparrow: 1-3, many observers; NC = Not Confi rmed by another Arcata Marsh, HO-4 Feb (MOb) • Elegant Tern: 1, South Arcata Marsh, HO-17 Feb (MOb); 1-2, Humboldt Bay party/not photographed; NWR = National Wildlife Spit, 18 Jan (TM, MW) • White-winged Dove: 1, Arcata NWR, HO-19 Feb (MOb) • Harris’s Sparrow: 1, Willow Refuge; Wildlife Area Bottoms-Moxon Rd, HO-5 Jan (AM, EF, CB, AL, MOb) Creek-Veterans Park, 8-9 Jan (KO); 1, Arcata-Zehndner • Burrowing Owl: 2, Crab Park, 4 Jan (AD); 1, South Ave, 9 Jan-14 Feb (GB, MOb) • Orchard Oriole: 1-3, Spit, HO-10 Feb (MOb); 1, McKinleyville Vista Point, Smith River, HO-4 Feb (RF, CD, AB, MP, DC, MOb) • HO-27 Feb (MOb); 1, North Spit, 10 Feb (CD); 1, Bear Tricolored Blackbird: 1-4, Arcata Bottoms, HO-25 River Ridge, HO-15 Feb (MOb) • Long-eared Owl: 1-2, Feb (DC, ToK, KB, MOb) • (Eastern) Purple Finch: 1, V St Loop-Mad River Slough WA, 19 Jan-18 Feb (MC, Arcata Marsh, HO-28 Feb (AL, MOb) • Brambling: 1, RF, MOb) • Short-eared Owl: 12+ (HC), Mad River Sunny Brae, HO-19 Jan (GJ, MOb). Slough WA, 1 Jan (BE) • Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: 1, Willow Creek-Veterans Park, 9-12 Jan (KO, EF); 1, Smith River, 14 Jan (AB, JD, EH) • Red-naped Sapsucker: 1-2, Sunny Brae, 3-24 Jan (KB, RF, MOb); 1, College of the Redwoods, 4 Jan-28 Feb (AL, MOb) • Prairie Falcon: 1, Ferndale Bottoms, 2 Jan-21 Feb (ML, EF, MC); 1, Dyerville Loop Rd, 26 Jan (JG) • Say’s Phoebe: 1, Arcata Bottoms, 4 Jan-14 Feb (TQ); 2, Ferndale Bottoms, 4 Jan (CO, MMa); 1, Bear River Ridge, 14 Feb (CR); 1, Common Scoter Fleener Creek Overlook, 15 Feb (BJS) • Ash-throated Crescent City, DN, © Rob Fowler Flycatcher: 1, Arcata, 31 Jan (DD) • Tropical Kingbird: 1, Pt Kenyon Rd, 4 Jan (SM, AT); 1, Humboldt Bay NWR, Harlequin Duck: 1, Humboldt Bay-King Salmon/ 9 Jan-28 Feb (AL, MOb) • Least Flycatcher: 1, Salt Harris’s Sparrow Field’s Landing, 1 Jan-14 Feb (SM, CO, ML, EF, MOb); River/Williams Creek, 4 Jan (GL) • Loggerhead Shrike: Arcata, HUM, © Gary Bloomfi eld 3-12, Point St. George, 20 Jan-8 Feb (CD, DC, MOb); 1, Loleta-Quinn Rd, HO-15 Feb (GC, MOb) • Cassin’s 1, North Jetty, 13-18 Jan (JD, DT, MOb); 1, Patrick’s Vireo: 1, Shay Park, 23-24 Feb (CD, MOb) • Blue Jay: Point, 15 Feb (BH) • Long-tailed Duck: 1, Humboldt 1, Willow Creek, HO-7 Jan (CO, MOb) • Horned Lark: Thanks to everyone who submitted sightings! Special Bay-King Salmon, 4 Jan-4 Feb (MC, MW, BE, KB); 2, Mad River Slough WA, 17 Jan (CB); 1-6, Bear River thanks as always to Rob Fowler for help navigating 1, South Spit, 4 Jan (RF) • Tufted Duck: 1 adult male, Ridge, 2 Jan-24 Feb (MOb) • Oak Titmouse: 1, Smith reports and quality control. Lake Earl-Lakeview Dr, 14 Jan (AB, JD, EH) • Barrow’s River, 14 Jan-1 Feb (AB, JD, EH) • Rock Wren: 1-2, Goldeneye: 1, Humboldt Bay-King Salmon/Field’s Alderpoint Rd-“Rock Wren Rocks,” 4 Jan-14 Feb (EF, Terry Allaway, Samantha Bacon, Alan Barron, Gary Landing, HO-10 Feb (BE, CO, EF, GC, RF, MOb) • AL, MOb) • Townsend’s Solitaire: 1, Bald Hills Rd, Bloomfi eld, Justin Bosler, Bill Bouton, Lucas Brug, Common Scoter! 1 (mega! 1st N. American record 14 Feb (AM, ML, MOb) • Northern Mockingbird: 1, Camden Bruner, Ralph Bucher, Ken Burton, Daryl outside of Greenland), Crescent City Harbor, 25 Jan-13 Ferndale Bottoms-Grizzly Bluff Rd, 4 Jan (MMa, CO); 1, Coldren, Graeme Colmer (GCo), Mark Colwell, Greg Feb (BB, MOb) • Black-vented Shearwater: 1, Table Eureka-Summer St, 8 Jan (AL); 1, Arcata-D St, 10 Jan- Chapman, Dominic DiMauro, Amy Duerfeldt, Cédric Bluff, 4 Jan (JS); 1, South Jetty, 4 Jan (RF); 3, North 11 Feb (ML, MC, EF, MOb); 1, Arcata Bottoms, 17 Jan Duhalde, Jon Dunn, Elias Elias, Brad Elvert, Elizabeth Jetty, 8 Jan (JB); 1, Klamath River Mouth, 10 Jan (LB); Feucht, David Fix, Rob Fowler, John Gaffi n, Ed 1, Point St George, 14 Jan (AB) • Fork-tailed Storm- Harper, Owen Head, Rob Hewitt, Brendan Higgins, Petrel: 1 (NC), North Jetty, 27 Feb (CD) • American Jared Hughey, Glen Jones, Deven Kammerichs- White-pelican: 1, Crab Park/Ocean Ranch/Humboldt Berke, Tony Kurz (ToK), Trevor Kumec (TrK), Bay NWR, HO-16 Feb (AL, KS, RF, GC, OH, MOb) • Steve Ladwig (SLa), Alexandra Lamb, Matt Lau, Cattle Egret: 2, Alexandre Dairy, HO-14 Jan-23 (AB, Stephanie Leja, Gary Lester, Sky Lloyd (SLo), Paul JD, EH); 1, Ferndale Bottoms-Grizzly Bluff Rd, 18 Feb Lohse, Mark Magneson (MMa), Dan Maxwell, Sean (EF) • Green Heron: 1-2, Mad River Fish Hatchery, 8 McAllister, Tristan McKee, Annie Meyer, Michael Jan-25 Feb (RB, EF, MOb) • Golden Eagle: 1, Alexandre Morris (MMo), Natalie McNear, Robin Montgomery, Dairy, HO-14 Jan (AB, JD, EH); 1, Dyerville Loop Rd, Chet Ogan, Kris Ohlenhamp, David Orluck, Michael 6-26 Jan (JG); 2-3, Bear River Ridge, 14-15 Jan (EF, Park, Jude Power, Tom Quetchenbach, Carrick Rice, AL); 1, Arcata Bottoms, 17 Jan (DM, ST); 1, Humboldt Diane Rose, Steve Rose, Keith Slauson, BJ Stacey, Bay NWR-Hookton Slough Unit, 16 Feb (CW, TW); 1, John Sterling, Dan Tankersley, Amber Transou, Steve Kneeland Airport, 21 Feb (AD) • Ferruginous Hawk: Tucker, Matt Wachs, Chris Wells, Teri Wells, George many reports of 1-2, Arcata Bottoms, Bear River Ridge, Long-eared Owl Ziminsky. Ferndale Bottoms, Bald Hills Rd (MOb) • Rough-legged Mad River Wildlife Area, HUM, © Elizabeth Feucht Single-use Carry-out Plastic Bags: Kin to the Earth: Eel River Cleanup Crews Board of Supervisors Saga Continues Justin Zakoren In the fi rst few months of 2015, community Contact Zero Waste Humboldt Board just prior to the November 2016 election. members from throughout southern Humboldt [email protected] If our analysis shows voluntary reduction County have been rallying to roadsides, ridgetops, of plastic bag use has been inadequate, we will urge the public to let the Board know we expect creek beds, and campsites, to confront the Jud Ellinwood growing presence of trash in and surrounding the success or failure of local voluntary eff orts and them to direct staff to complete the work started Ever been stuck in rush hour traffi c and at least these two supervisors seemed comfortable on a County ordinance and have it ready for their communities. So far, cleanup eff orts in the had the sensation you are never going to reach Alderpoint and Garberville-Redway areas have with relying on anecdotal information. presentation to the Board for a fi rst reading no your destination? Start. Stop. Start. Stop. And later than May 2016. resulted in more than 15,000 pounds of trash being on and on.  at’s the feeling you get if you’ve Holding the Board Accountable removed from roadsides, campsites, and Eel River been watching the County Board of Supervisors Zero Waste Humboldt will ensure that if the ZWH Efforts Have Positive Impact on tributaries.  e individuals leading this ongoing (BOS) eff ort to eliminate generation of single- referendum is approved, the Board will have to Selection of Recycling Processor eff ort are a diverse crew who share the same use carry out plastic bag waste in Humboldt’s make an evidence-based decision on a County common vision: a cleaner, healthier Humboldt. We are happy to report that many of the unincorporated areas. ordinance. In the interim, we will be monitoring recommendations ZWH made to Humboldt Mike Miller is the veteran of this cast of Unlike Arcata, Ukiah, Fort Bragg and use of plastic bags by the businesses that would cleanup leaders. He has been doing cleanups in Waste Management Authority staff and Board Mendocino County—all of which have passed be covered by SB 270—large supermarkets, the area for the last three years, visiting a homeless members since early December regarding the local bag bans—the BOS’s passive approach since pharmacies and retail stores, and a statistically choice of their next recycling processor were camp cleanup site, dropping off unused garbage valid sampling of convenience stores and eating bags to the residents, and picking up the bags 2010 has been to wait and see if one of the four incorporated into either the preliminary Draft state bag ban bills introduced in the past fi ve years establishments. Bag use data will be collected and they have fi lled since his last visit. Initially, Miller Anderson had to take action, “You gotta be the from county government. Currently, the county released at the February 12 HWMA Board —all unanimously supported by the BOS—would analyzed, and our fi ndings will be reported to the worried that the cleaned sites would just get positive change!” only sets aside $2400 to cover community cleanup meeting or Board member revisions. We want trashed again. But so far his “checkups on cleaned For Anderson, a critical part of this movement dump fees, an amount this year’s clean up eff orts be enacted.  is approach has allowed to express our thanks to the 60+ sites reveal cooperation from the homeless.” Miller is to educate and raise community awareness have already exceeded! Like St. Clair, a major goal Board members to avoid voting for a citizens who responded to our articles, looks forward to “passing the baton” to the next about the harms of illegal dumping, the lack of for Machado is “getting the county on board,” and County measure while still appearing Starts and Stops: The Past Five Years Recapped website information and action to take an environmentally correct generation of cleanup leaders like Brian St. Clair, social services for the homeless, and the cannabis admits that thus far there hasn’t been much of a 2010—START: Board begins discussion of a bag ban that would cover alerts with letters to the Board that Chris “Toph” Anderson, Amy Machado, and industry’s role in the proliferation of abandoned response from offi cials. position. Unfortunately, the fi scal supported ZWH’s recommendations consequence for the County (which the County’s unincorporated areas, supports rst proposed statewide Leeana Schultz. “trimmigrant” camps. It is key that the community In the Alderpoint area, where Leeana Schultz legislation – AB 1998 (Brownley). STOP: Bill defeated Aug 30. START: In and Processor Expectations. Your key Brian St. Clair, originally from Michigan, arrived in addresses these problems and that more folks grew up (her family owns the Alderpoint Store, continues to run a budget defi cit) has support let HWMA know that ZWH’s been the loss of hundreds of thousands response to public requests for a local ordinance, Board directs HWMA to the SoHum area a little over three years ago with a pack develop a strong “pack it in, pack it out” philosophy. the only general store in the area) illegal dumping prepare a model ordinance for all local governments. input was popularly endorsed.  e on his back and no place to stay. But soon, St. Clair Amy Machado, a school teacher and PacOut has become a major problem. Schultz suggests of tax dollars spent on associated waste Draft remains a work in progress. In started getting involved with the Mateel Community Green Team member in the north county, also saw that much of this has to do with how expensive management costs—money that could 2011—STOP: HWMA waits a year to see how suits brought against local the next two months we will work Center (he is now an active board member) and the Dronkers video, and responded by creating the the town dump can be. According to Schultz, the be spent on higher priority public ordinances are resolved. with HWMA member governments started working for the Garberville Redway Area “Eel River cleanup party: power in numbers and the dump charges “$9 per contractor bag,” too much service needs. with the goal of correcting the Request Chamber of Commerce as the “cleanup guy”. music” Facebook group page as a way to connect for community members who can’t fi nd work Latest Actions of Board of 2012—START: HWMA works on ordinance and draft environmental for Proposal’s remaining fl aws.  e  e next step in the cleanup eff ort, according with other community members interested in and get stuck without other options. Supervisors documentation; Board anticipates introduction of state bill in February, minimum term of the next recycling to St. Clair, is to see “more people stepping up and tackling this issue. As she learned about the regular But, Schultz sees that the recent cleanup eff ort supports AB 298 (Brownley); bill fails on last day of legislative session. In contract is 10 years. Getting best getting involved. Liking something on Facebook is cleanups already underway in Southern Humboldt is changing the community. When the cleanup At the January 6, 2015 BOS October, HWMA model ordinance sent to County. STOP: No action, Board management practices locked in is waits for a third state bill to be introduced in February. great, but when you have hundreds of likes for a she realized that her group could give support eff ort started, others caught the bug and started meeting, the Board unanimously: essential if we want to optimize the • restated its support of SB 270, posted cleanup and then fi ve to ten folks showing to existing eff orts.  e Facebook group had 600 cleaning up their properties and around town. For 2013—SB 405 (Padilla) introduced end of February. START: Board supports processor’s role in waste reduction and up at the next one, it makes you wonder.” He would members by the end of its fi rst week. By the Schultz, these cleanups present good opportunities • decided to not develop an reuse. interim ban measure that—should bill in early May, bill defeated end of May. STOP: No action from Board for really like to see diff erent people showing up each second, the Southern Humboldt Technical Rescue for the local youth where they learn there’s no the remainder of the year. week, so volunteers don’t get burned out and the group had gotten involved, aiding a steep hillside shame in being the “good guy” and “kids can the referendum fail—would only be Reducing Plastic Water movement doesn’t lose momentum. cleanup near Alderpoint. By the third week, Amy look back and have a sense of pride” in caring for eff ective for about a year, and 2014—ZWH informs the Board on January 1 of County’s estimated annual Bottle Waste Chris “Toph” Anderson became involved in had begun a fundraising campaign, raising roughly their community. • directed staff to prepare a cost of managing bag waste—$71,800 to $214,600. Board is asked to begin Creating models that demonstrate resolution (passed unanimously at the the ongoing Southern Humboldt cleanup eff ort $3500 in a little over a month. Together, Mike, Brian, Chris, Amy, and Leeana work on a County ban ordinance. START: On January 14, the BOS directs how public institutions and businesses when he saw a video of photos taken of cleanup Machado hopes that by documenting how show us all what positive, motivated individuals January 20 meeting) affi rming support sta to prepare a proposal; preliminary work presented. STOP: Work halted for SB 270, which encourages businesses can reduce plastic water bottle waste sites posted in January by Mike Dronkers on the much trash is being collected and the costs of can do for a community and for the environment. when the latest state bill proposal, SB 270, was introduced in May. The by switching to a tap water and Lost Coast Outpost website. After seeing the video, removal, their group can get a positive response You too can get involved and make a diff erence! covered by SB 270 to voluntarily cease largest stores covered by SB 270 are required to eliminate plastic bag use using plastic bags. It also states that refi llable container approach is a key by July 2015, the deadline for smaller stores is July 2016. START: The bill was component of our regional campaign. if the referendum succeeds the Board signed into law in September 30, becoming the nation’s rst plastic bag intends to pass a local ordinance if ban law. STOP: The next day, out of state plastic bag manufacturers begin We are excited to announce that we are local voluntary bag waste reduction collecting enough signatures to place a referendum on the November 2016 looking into working collaboratively eff orts are unsuccessful. ballot that if passed, would repeal the law. The corporations contribute with the City of Eureka, the Humboldt At the January 20 meeting, at 97.5% of the $3.3 million into the signature gathering campaign. The Municipal Water District and possibly least two Supervisors (Sundberg and Board waits to see the outcome. a bottle fi ller manufacturer on a Bohn) gave the impression that if project that would markedly reduce 2015—Enough signatures gathered to put the referendum on the ballot, consumption of water in plastic bottles the referendum succeeded and most delaying implementation of the law until the November 4, 2016 election businesses had stopped using plastic is held. If the referendum ballot measure fails, the law becomes e ective in the City Hall building by installing bags, they would revisit their position immediately. This means the biggest stores will have had 18 more months bottle fi ller/cooler units like the Elkay on passing a local ordinance. ZWH is to generate plastic bag waste. models shown at www.elkay.com/ concerned there was no discussion of drinking-solutions Look for updates what would be the basis for determining in the coming months! EcoNews Apr/May 2015 www.yournec.org 12 Friends of the Eel River

Friends of the Eel River

Ore Processing Proposal Withdrawn ree Billboards Legally e Sixth Mass Extinction is Happening In Humboldt and Permanently Removed Scott Greacen, Executive Director Because Sproul Creek is a relatively low- building. But it is assuredly the marijuana industry, Jennifer Kalt, Director proposed development, site plans, and funding sources. impact watershed, with more water and a stronger and particularly the paranoia and resistance to any But after hearing public concerns about water After many years of persistent calls for Big Weed seems nearly as concerned about the population of coho than more heavily settled government oversight that seem baked into its On March 7, U.S. Mine Corporation withdrew and air pollution, the use of cyanide and other Caltrans to enforce its own regulations governing loss of coho salmon as the timber industry was. streams like Redwood Creek and Salmon Creek, culture, that is driving coho extinct in the Eel today. its proposal to pursue development of a gold ore toxic chemicals, and risks to Humboldt Bay from outdoor advertising, three billboards were legally In the last EcoNews, I wrote about the new it has been the focus of a lot of hopes and plans. ere are solutions to the problems of processing plant at the former Evergreen Pulp Mill earthquake and tsunami hazards, the company and permanently removed from the Coastal View federal Recovery Plan for coho salmon warning After years of work, DFW has been preparing to diversions and sediment. We know how to fi x in Samoa. In a letter to Humboldt Bay Harbor, decided “we are unable to commit ourselves to this Area along Highway 101 adjacent to Humboldt that water diversions and sediment impacts install and operate a Life Cycle Monitoring station roads and culverts, how not to bulldoze steep, Recreation, and Conservation District Executive long and expensive process.” Bay. Scenic views of the bay have been restored associated with the booming marijuana industry in lower Sproul Creek to count both juvenile and erosive slopes. It’s pretty straightforward to install Director Jack Crider, Scott Dockter, President of Although U.S. Mine Corp’s president A. Scott between the California Redwood Company and present grave threats to coho recovery in the South adult coho—a crucial tool for evaluating recovery. water storage for modestly scaled operations, and U.S. Mine Corp, wrote, “In our fi nal analysis of Dockter characterized cyanide as “not that toxic,” Eureka Slough. Fork Eel River. to forbear from dry-season diversion. the proposal, we determined we could not accept cyanide processing was banned in 1998 by voter ese billboards have persisted on property I noted “the plan’s sobering ere are a lot of nice folks eager to the risk involved with the signifi cant eff ort and initiative in the state of Montana, when 85,000 owned by the North Coast Rail Authority for assessments arguably understate the help people do all this good stuff . substantial cost it would have taken to receive agency gallons of cyanide-laced water leaked through many years in spite of NCRA objections, including need for action, in part because it While the state’s drought and public approval.” damaged leach pad liners, killing all life in a 17-mile refusing to accept payment from the sign owners. does not refl ect the impacts of recent emergency declaration continues, On February 12, U.S. Mine Corp. had requested stretch of Colorado’s Alamosa River. In August 2011, Caltrans revoked the Outdoor historic drought.” Only months later, there’s a streamlined, cheap way to a 6-month agreement with options for extensions e Harbor District and U.S. EPA recently Advertising Act permits for all three billboards, it’s clear that I, too, understated the comply with water diversion reporting, to explore the idea of building a facility to process removed millions of gallons of caustic chemicals citing lack of landowner permission, which is risks to coho in the South Fork from and to secure the water rights that ore from unspecifi ed mines and use the waste to left behind by the previous operator, Evergreen required by the Act. e signs were never removed, the deadly combination of drought, can vastly enhance the sustainability manufacture pre-formed concrete products. Pulp, a Chinese corporation that was sold to a shell and in June 2014, Caltrans inexplicably renewed diversions, and dirt. and value of a parcel of land. Since it e public raised questions about water and air company in 2008. e cleanup has to date cost the permits, leaving no paper trail for how this We have now learned from the was announced, barely a dozen people pollution, with particular concerns for Humboldt taxpayers $6 million and is expected to cost $10 decision was made. California Department of Fish and across the entire north coast have taken Bay’s fragile ecosystem, wildlife, and fi shing million to complete. Last December, Caltrans was fi nally persuaded Wildlife (DFW) that the entire 2013 advantage of it. industries. Few questions or concerns raised by Humboldt Baykeeper is relieved that U.S. Mine to revoke these permits once again. On March 1, cohort of juvenile coho in Sproul Creek is crisis is a stain on the marijuana the public or the Commissioners were answered. Corp realized so quickly that its proposal was not a the billboards were removed by All Points Signs died when the stream was dewatered industry’s claim to sustainability e company’s representatives either did not know good fi t for Humboldt Bay. anks to everyone who without further delay. by unreported, unmanaged water that will not soon rinse out. It’s clear or were not forthcoming with specifi cs about its spoke up for a healthy bay and against industries diversions, and that this year’s cohort is also unlikely to survive. that many growers see themselves as proposal, saying that they did not know what type that would put Humboldt Bay at risk. We wish the conscientious stewards and bitterly of ore it would process, what chemicals would be District success in its search for environmentally- Coho have a three-year life-history: they spend their fi rst year in freshwater, resent charges of environmental harm involved, or even which mines it would serve. appropriate industries to use the former pulp mill levied against the industry in the press. Commissioners voted 4-0 (with Commissioner site. Proposals currently under discussion include and return to their natal streams after Earth Day Cleanup and two years in the ocean. Compared to But there has been little progress Greg Dale absent) for a 3-month agreement, giving aquaponic food production, dry ice manufacturing, in reducing the steadily increasing the company 60 days to submit descriptions of the and oyster seed production. their cousins, chinook and steelhead, Hoedown, April 25 which have longer, more fl exible return The red boundary represents the size of a 20,000 square foot grow site—the maximum size impacts of this rapidly growing, allowed by the latest proposal from California Cannabis Voice Humboldt. The six white circles wholly unregulated, and enormously Love the Bay but frustrated by the deluge schedules, coho are pretty much locked represent (to scale) 50,000 gallon Australian water tanks, capable of holding the 300,000 gallons of garbage? Do your part to clean it up by in to their three-year cycles. e loss needed for a 20,000 sq. ft. grow site. In practice, this particular site is too steep to support the profi table industry. kayaking out to Indian Island on Humboldt of an entire year-class is thus especially weight of even one of these water tanks. Original photo: Google Earth. Additions: FOER. e excuses we keep hearing from Bay for Earth Day. disastrous to a watershed’s coho run, “good growers” who insist there’s not Major Shell sh Expansion Proposed in North Bay Humboldt Baykeeper has partnered with and when two fail, extinction becomes much more e losses in Sproul Creek herald even harder really a problem of cumulative impacts, that the the HSU Aquatic Center to provide you with likely than not. news elsewhere in the South Fork Eel watershed. wine industry is worse, that it’s the Bulgarians over Two proposals for expanding shellfi sh including the California Department of Fish & all the gear for free to get out to the island. is loss heralds the pending extinction of Coho are now extinct in most of Redwood Creek’s the hill or that jerk down the road who are really out production in North Humboldt Bay are currently Wildlife, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and National No experience needed! Have a kayak? Meet coho not only in the South Fork—once the largest tributaries, including China Creek, where a 2012 of hand, or (my recent favorite) that “we can’t install under review by the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Marine Fisheries Service. State and federal agencies us down at the dock to paddle out. Meet at producer of coho in the Eel watershed, and arguably coho and steelhead kill caused by reckless damming water storage tanks because the county’s going to Recreation, and Conservation District. Coast have No Net Loss policies for eelgrass due to its the Aquatic Center, 921 Waterfront Dr. Eureka, in all of California—but in the entire Eel watershed, and diverting of the creek brought water regulators, tax our water” all add up to rationalizations, ways Seafoods, the largest oyster grower in Humboldt importance to many species of fi sh and wildlife. Saturday April 25th at 10 am for those without and neighboring watersheds as well. For just as who issued more than two dozen warning letters to justify a collective refusal to come to grips with Bay, is proposing to expand its footprint from Eelgrass is also thought to buff er the eff ects of ocean kayaks for a safety talk and vest tting—10:45 Sproul Creek has been the hinge for hopes of coho to landowners where unreported water diversions the industry’s actual impacts. 296 acres to 910 acres. e Harbor District’s acidifi cation, which lowers pH during upwelling am for those with a kayak and safety vest. We recovery in the South Fork, the South Fork itself were found. With these losses, we have gone from e cumulative eff ects of many small farmers Mariculture Expansion Pre-Permitting Project events, interfering with marine organisms’ ability to will return to the dock by 2 pm. Bring layers, was the keystone of hopes for coho in the Eel as planning for recovery in the South Fork and the are contributing more than they would like to proposes to add 550 acres of production, primarily form shells. sunscreen/hat, gloves, and water. As an added a whole, including runs in Outlet Creek off the Eel, to scrambling to put together a plan to prevent believe. As I stated in the February 19 Willits for oysters, but also for edible native seaweed Humboldt Baykeeper and the Northcoast bonus, you are invited to a hoedown at the mainstem Eel, in the Van Duzen and the lower Eel. extinction. (Coho held on in streams dominated News, “ ere’s a story we tell ourselves around and Manila clams. Environmental Center are reviewing these proposals Friends of the Dunes Nature Center at 4 pm. And without a healthy population in the Eel, we by parks and by timber holdings—but those here that we all mean well and we’re good stewards Both projects will require permits from the and commented on the need to avoid or mitigate Free for volunteers! Space is limited. can’t really hope strays will recolonize the Mattole, areas alone won’t be enough to maintain a viable and that it’s just a few bad apples that are causing California Coastal Commission, Army Corps of impacts to eelgrass, shorebirds, migratory waterfowl Sign up early! Call us at 707-825-1020 or email or even that populations in Humboldt Bay’s population.) the real problems but that’s not true, it’s the small Engineers, and Regional Water Quality Control such as black brant, recreation, and cumulative Jasmin at [email protected] small tributaries and Little River will long persist e marijuana industry did not drive the coho things that everybody does that are adding up to Board. Resources agencies will also weigh in, eff ects of both proposed projects. on their own. to the brink of extinction; that was timber and road- extinction.”

13 www.yournec.org Apr/May 2015 EcoNews Friends of the Eel River

Friends of the Eel River e Sixth Mass Extinction is Happening In Humboldt Scott Greacen, Executive Director Because Sproul Creek is a relatively low- building. But it is assuredly the marijuana industry, impact watershed, with more water and a stronger and particularly the paranoia and resistance to any Big Weed seems nearly as concerned about the population of coho than more heavily settled government oversight that seem baked into its loss of coho salmon as the timber industry was. streams like Redwood Creek and Salmon Creek, culture, that is driving coho extinct in the Eel today. In the last EcoNews, I wrote about the new it has been the focus of a lot of hopes and plans. ere are solutions to the problems of federal Recovery Plan for coho salmon warning After years of work, DFW has been preparing to diversions and sediment. We know how to fi x that water diversions and sediment impacts install and operate a Life Cycle Monitoring station roads and culverts, how not to bulldoze steep, associated with the booming marijuana industry in lower Sproul Creek to count both juvenile and erosive slopes. It’s pretty straightforward to install present grave threats to coho recovery in the South adult coho—a crucial tool for evaluating recovery. water storage for modestly scaled operations, and Fork Eel River. to forbear from dry-season diversion. I noted “the plan’s sobering ere are a lot of nice folks eager to assessments arguably understate the help people do all this good stuff . need for action, in part because it While the state’s drought does not refl ect the impacts of recent emergency declaration continues, historic drought.” Only months later, there’s a streamlined, cheap way to it’s clear that I, too, understated the comply with water diversion reporting, risks to coho in the South Fork from and to secure the water rights that the deadly combination of drought, can vastly enhance the sustainability diversions, and dirt. and value of a parcel of land. Since it We have now learned from the was announced, barely a dozen people California Department of Fish and across the entire north coast have taken Wildlife (DFW) that the entire 2013 advantage of it. cohort of juvenile coho in Sproul Creek is crisis is a stain on the marijuana died when the stream was dewatered industry’s claim to sustainability by unreported, unmanaged water that will not soon rinse out. It’s clear diversions, and that this year’s cohort is also unlikely to survive. that many growers see themselves as Coho have a three-year life-history: conscientious stewards and bitterly they spend their fi rst year in freshwater, resent charges of environmental harm and return to their natal streams after levied against the industry in the press. two years in the ocean. Compared to But there has been little progress their cousins, chinook and steelhead, in reducing the steadily increasing which have longer, more fl exible return The red boundary represents the size of a 20,000 square foot grow site—the maximum size impacts of this rapidly growing, allowed by the latest proposal from California Cannabis Voice Humboldt. The six white circles wholly unregulated, and enormously schedules, coho are pretty much locked represent (to scale) 50,000 gallon Australian water tanks, capable of holding the 300,000 gallons in to their three-year cycles. e loss needed for a 20,000 sq. ft. grow site. In practice, this particular site is too steep to support the profi table industry. of an entire year-class is thus especially weight of even one of these water tanks. Original photo: Google Earth. Additions: FOER. e excuses we keep hearing from disastrous to a watershed’s coho run, “good growers” who insist there’s not and when two fail, extinction becomes much more e losses in Sproul Creek herald even harder really a problem of cumulative impacts, that the likely than not. news elsewhere in the South Fork Eel watershed. wine industry is worse, that it’s the Bulgarians over is loss heralds the pending extinction of Coho are now extinct in most of Redwood Creek’s the hill or that jerk down the road who are really out coho not only in the South Fork—once the largest tributaries, including China Creek, where a 2012 of hand, or (my recent favorite) that “we can’t install producer of coho in the Eel watershed, and arguably coho and steelhead kill caused by reckless damming water storage tanks because the county’s going to in all of California—but in the entire Eel watershed, and diverting of the creek brought water regulators, tax our water” all add up to rationalizations, ways and neighboring watersheds as well. For just as who issued more than two dozen warning letters to justify a collective refusal to come to grips with Sproul Creek has been the hinge for hopes of coho to landowners where unreported water diversions the industry’s actual impacts. recovery in the South Fork, the South Fork itself were found. With these losses, we have gone from e cumulative eff ects of many small farmers was the keystone of hopes for coho in the Eel as planning for recovery in the South Fork and the are contributing more than they would like to a whole, including runs in Outlet Creek off the Eel, to scrambling to put together a plan to prevent believe. As I stated in the February 19 Willits mainstem Eel, in the Van Duzen and the lower Eel. extinction. (Coho held on in streams dominated News, “ ere’s a story we tell ourselves around And without a healthy population in the Eel, we by parks and by timber holdings—but those here that we all mean well and we’re good stewards can’t really hope strays will recolonize the Mattole, areas alone won’t be enough to maintain a viable and that it’s just a few bad apples that are causing or even that populations in Humboldt Bay’s population.) the real problems but that’s not true, it’s the small small tributaries and Little River will long persist e marijuana industry did not drive the coho things that everybody does that are adding up to on their own. to the brink of extinction; that was timber and road- extinction.”

EcoNews Apr/May 2015 www.yournec.org 14 The Environmental Protection Information Center ep c In the Shadows of Paci c Lumber: Grasslands Enhancement Program Legacy Forest Management and Recovery Restores Native Grasses Hugh McGee, Program Director that provide shade and micro-climates for grassland project that is being implemented by the Mattole Native Ecosystems Restoration fauna. Because native grasslands have evolved with Salmon Group and MRC, in partnership with BLM, in  ree North Coast Watersheds Grasslands in California are among the most fi re, and hold water in the soil and plants longer, encroaching large Douglas-fi r trees were removed unique, biologically diverse, and endangered native grasslands are fi re adapted and resistant. from a historic grassland and relocated and placed Rob DiPerna and direct action in the forest slowed by a helicopter as in-stream salmonid habitat Pacifi c Lumber’s march in the Mattole. ecosystems in the United States and the world. Ninety percent of all endangered in the Mattole Estuary. Over three acres of You may know the story: in Pacifi c Lumber continued its Douglas-fi r removal sites were seeded with the mid-1980’s, the old Pacifi c aggressive and damaging logging and threatened species in California inhabit grassland ecosystems. Much of native grasses and mulched with native Lumber Company was taken regime under the HCP until the grass straw.  is project demonstrates over by corporate raider Charles company eventually fi led for their loss has resulted from agricultural conversion, population growth, conversion how byproducts of prairie reclamation Hurwitz and the Maxxam bankruptcy. In 2008, a group headed projects can be utilized in salmonid habitat Corporation utilizing junk bonds by the owners of Mendocino Redwood to non-native and invasive plant species, and encroachment of native vegetation due restoration projects. to leverage the sale. Maxxam’s Company took control over the Recently, in partnership with the BLM, Pacifi c Lumber tripled the rate of timber property and Humboldt to suppression of fi re on the landscape. In the Mattole and the neighboring King Range we have started mechanical removal of coyote harvest and aggressively targeted Redwood Company (HRC) was born. brush and Douglas-fi r on approximately 120 valuable old-growth forests, and HRC immediately made sweeping National Conservation Area (KRNCA), roughly 40-50% of grasslands have been acres as part of an 800 acre Prosper Ridge even liquidated the pension fund and signifi cant changes to the pre- Prairie Restoration Project.  is project set-aside for the hard-working existing management regime as lost to encroachment of native and non- native vegetation, especially Douglas-fi r includes mechanical removal of vegetation with people of the company. Before administered by Pacifi c Lumber. HRC chainsaw, excavator and masticator, broadcast (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Of the grasslands long, concerned local residents quickly phased out the use of traditional burning, as well as native grass revegetation that remain, most have been converted to and forest activists began to notice clearcutting, voluntarily agreed to through seeding and plug planting. non-native annual grasses (NNAG).  e profound changes in the landscape. end the logging of old growth on the High quality native plant materials With the advent of the property, and agreed to switch to a conversion of native perennial grasslands to are the most important component of NNAG has a tremendous impact on grassland unprecedented winter storms Sta ord Landslide that occurred during the new years storms of 1996-1997. This slide was caused by selection harvest management regime. successful native plant restoration projects. of 1996–1997, combined with a road failure on PALCO land above the town. The slide wiped out several homes. Although the days of Maxxam’s ecosystems and the watershed.  e MRC’s native plant nursery grows 13 Pacifi c Lumber’s poor logging Pacifi c Lumber are thankfully behind Unlike NNAG, native perennial grasses native grass species for our riparian and practices, it became clear—even to state regulatory in this transaction, in addition to acquiring lands us, the devastating legacy left from nearly two are deep-rooted and long-lived. Some grasslands restoration projects and produces agencies which had previously turned a blind- formerly owned and managed by Elk River Timber decades of intensive forest management can still species of native grass in the Mattole, such 30,000 native grass plugs per year. We have eye to the destruction—that signifi cant adverse Company. Also part of this deal was the agreement be seen and felt.  e lands acquired by HRC were as purple needlegrass (Stipa pulchra), are done extensive broadcast seeding and have and cumulative impacts had occurred in many between state and federal agencies and Pacifi c degraded and depleted, littered with patchwork bunchgrasses that typically can live for 200 installed over 175,000 native grass plugs watersheds managed by the company and that Lumber on a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). clearcuts and young, dense, overgrown even- years—and maybe many hundreds more.  e on our revegetation sites.  e MRC also timber harvest practices were a contributing factor.  roughout the development and negotiations aged forest stands. Although great strides have root systems of these long-lived grasses range manages a 1.75 acre native grass farm, planted Watersheds such as Bear Creek, Stitz Creek, for the HCP, EPIC and other forest activists decried the been made by HRC to address signifi cant sources in depth from 6 to 12 feet—some growing as from locally sourced Mattole seed.  is farm Jordan Creek, Freshwater, and Elk River began to deal as a political compromise that would leave large of sediment from landslides, roads, and related deep as 20 feet—compared to 6 to 12 inches provides an abundant source of seed for large unravel, leading to signifi cant changes to in-stream tracts of old growth redwood available for harvest. In infrastructure in Elk River and Freshwater, of shallow-rooted NNAG.  e deep roots Mattole Restoration Council crews planting purple needle grass (Stipa scale projects, and decreases the amount of conditions, and to the elimination of critical spawning addition, concerns arose that the HCP did not include nuisance watershed conditions still continue; and of native perennial bunch grasses stabilize pulchra) in the King Range National Conservation Area. Photo: Hugh McGee. seed taken from wild populations.  e farm questions remain about the adequacy of existing and rearing habitat for endangered fi sh species. protections or other set-asides in the Mattole Valley steep hill slopes and create subsurface soil Intact native grasslands reduce the intensity and also produces native grass straw for mulching on management plans to address the legacy impacts. In Elk River and Freshwater, local residents also watersheds, where considerable stands of valuable ecosystems where a diversity of soil microbes, risk of wildfi re to human and wildlife communities. restoration sites. found that the streams they once relied on for their old-growth Douglas fi r forest would be slated for EPIC has had a long-standing history of insects, and mycorrhizae fl ourish. Alternatively, Over the past decade, the MRC’s Native Grasslands are part of the mosaic of ecosystems domestic water supplies were tainted with excessive logging.  e Mattole watershed was commonly advocating for improved forest management NNAG encourage desert-like subsurface Grasslands Enhancement Program has focused that make up the Mattole watershed and are an sedimentation; the water was no longer drinkable. referred to as a Headwaters Deal sacrifi ce zone. practices and watershed recovery, specifi cally conditions, decreasing soil carbon and fertility and on gaining a better understanding of Mattole essential piece of the puzzle that is necessary for Soon, the state and federal governments sought EPIC closely monitored the implementation of in watersheds like Elk River, Freshwater, and the increasing runoff . Large amounts of root biomass and KRNCA grasslands, and planning and the whole system to function properly. As we move a political solution to the problem. In March of 1999, the HCP on Pacifi c Lumber forests, and discovered Mattole.  ese are areas of biological and historic found in native perennial grasslands generally implementing high priority restoration projects. forward, it is important that we take a deep look state and federal agencies and Maxxam’s Pacifi c numerous and egregious violations of the conditions signifi cance where recent-past forest management increase water infi ltration which helps sustain soil We are utilizing many techniques to restore at the ecological problems and develop solutions Lumber agreed to the historic Headwaters Forest of the HCP. In addition, predictions that the timber has left a trail of destruction that cannot be easily moisture.  is allows plants to stay greener longer, grasslands and understand that a successful inclusive of all the parts that benefi t the system as Agreement. As part of this agreement, Headwaters company would aggressively target the old-growth repaired. EPIC is committed to working with HRC providing long term forage for wildlife throughout grasslands restoration project is one that not only a whole. When we tinker with nature, we must do Grove, the largest remaining contiguous stand of old Douglas fi r forests of the Mattole watershed in the to improve both watershed and forest resource the hot dry Mattole summer. Native grasslands are restores structure, but also the associated ecological our best to save all of the parts. growth redwood forest remaining on private lands, wake of the Headwaters Deal came to pass. Forest conditions in these heavily impacted watersheds not just grass, but within them exists an abundant processes and functions. To increase the likelihood For more information about our native grassland was transferred into public ownership, creating the activists and concerned citizens quickly mobilized to and also to improve forest management practices to diversity of native forbs and shrubs that off er of success, we utilize a variety of treatments and program or native plant materials, please feel free to Headwaters Forest Reserve. Hurwitz’s Corporation try and prevent or forestall Pacifi c Lumber’s charge promote both watershed and forest resource recovery. similar ecological benefi ts. approaches, some of which are described below. contact us at 707-629-3514 or visit our website at made out like bandits—receiving millions of dollars to liquidate the old growth of the Mattole. Lawsuits Individual bunchgrasses also act as structures As part of the Mattole Estuary Enhancement http://www.mattole.org/programs/restoration. 15 www.yournec.org Apr/May 2015 EcoNews Grasslands Enhancement Program Restores Native Grasses Hugh McGee, Program Director that provide shade and micro-climates for grassland project that is being implemented by the Mattole Native Ecosystems Restoration fauna. Because native grasslands have evolved with Salmon Group and MRC, in partnership with BLM, Grasslands in California are among the most fi re, and hold water in the soil and plants longer, encroaching large Douglas-fi r trees were removed unique, biologically diverse, and endangered native grasslands are fi re adapted and resistant. from a historic grassland and relocated and placed ecosystems in the United States and the by a helicopter as in-stream salmonid habitat world. Ninety percent of all endangered in the Mattole Estuary. Over three acres of and threatened species in California Douglas-fi r removal sites were seeded with inhabit grassland ecosystems. Much of native grasses and mulched with native their loss has resulted from agricultural grass straw.  is project demonstrates conversion, population growth, conversion how byproducts of prairie reclamation to non-native and invasive plant species, projects can be utilized in salmonid habitat and encroachment of native vegetation due restoration projects. to suppression of fi re on the landscape. In Recently, in partnership with the BLM, the Mattole and the neighboring King Range we have started mechanical removal of coyote National Conservation Area (KRNCA), brush and Douglas-fi r on approximately 120 roughly 40-50% of grasslands have been acres as part of an 800 acre Prosper Ridge lost to encroachment of native and non- Prairie Restoration Project.  is project native vegetation, especially Douglas-fi r includes mechanical removal of vegetation with chainsaw, excavator and masticator, broadcast (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Of the grasslands burning, as well as native grass revegetation that remain, most have been converted to through seeding and plug planting. non-native annual grasses (NNAG).  e High quality native plant materials conversion of native perennial grasslands to are the most important component of NNAG has a tremendous impact on grassland successful native plant restoration projects. ecosystems and the watershed.  e MRC’s native plant nursery grows 13 Unlike NNAG, native perennial grasses native grass species for our riparian and are deep-rooted and long-lived. Some grasslands restoration projects and produces species of native grass in the Mattole, such 30,000 native grass plugs per year. We have as purple needlegrass (Stipa pulchra), are done extensive broadcast seeding and have bunchgrasses that typically can live for 200 installed over 175,000 native grass plugs years—and maybe many hundreds more.  e on our revegetation sites.  e MRC also root systems of these long-lived grasses range manages a 1.75 acre native grass farm, planted in depth from 6 to 12 feet—some growing as from locally sourced Mattole seed.  is farm deep as 20 feet—compared to 6 to 12 inches provides an abundant source of seed for large of shallow-rooted NNAG.  e deep roots Mattole Restoration Council crews planting purple needle grass (Stipa scale projects, and decreases the amount of of native perennial bunch grasses stabilize pulchra) in the King Range National Conservation Area. Photo: Hugh McGee. seed taken from wild populations.  e farm steep hill slopes and create subsurface soil Intact native grasslands reduce the intensity and also produces native grass straw for mulching on ecosystems where a diversity of soil microbes, risk of wildfi re to human and wildlife communities. restoration sites. insects, and mycorrhizae fl ourish. Alternatively, Over the past decade, the MRC’s Native Grasslands are part of the mosaic of ecosystems NNAG encourage desert-like subsurface Grasslands Enhancement Program has focused that make up the Mattole watershed and are an conditions, decreasing soil carbon and fertility and on gaining a better understanding of Mattole essential piece of the puzzle that is necessary for increasing runoff . Large amounts of root biomass and KRNCA grasslands, and planning and the whole system to function properly. As we move found in native perennial grasslands generally implementing high priority restoration projects. forward, it is important that we take a deep look increase water infi ltration which helps sustain soil We are utilizing many techniques to restore at the ecological problems and develop solutions moisture.  is allows plants to stay greener longer, grasslands and understand that a successful inclusive of all the parts that benefi t the system as providing long term forage for wildlife throughout grasslands restoration project is one that not only a whole. When we tinker with nature, we must do the hot dry Mattole summer. Native grasslands are restores structure, but also the associated ecological our best to save all of the parts. not just grass, but within them exists an abundant processes and functions. To increase the likelihood For more information about our native grassland diversity of native forbs and shrubs that off er of success, we utilize a variety of treatments and program or native plant materials, please feel free to similar ecological benefi ts. approaches, some of which are described below. contact us at 707-629-3514 or visit our website at Individual bunchgrasses also act as structures As part of the Mattole Estuary Enhancement http://www.mattole.org/programs/restoration. EcoNews Apr/May 2015 www.yournec.org 16 NORTH GROUP NORTHCOAST REDWOOD CHAPTER CHAPTER

Another Year of Drought, Klamath survive to reach the ocean. Biologists Beginners and experts, non-members and members are all Community Center to Arcata Community Forest and back conclude that most adult salmon returning to the Annual Planning Retreat welcome at our programs and on our outings. Almost all of to see native plants in private landscapes and in a redwood Another Klamath Salmon Disaster Klamath in some years began life in the Trinity our events are free. All of our events are made possible by forest. Free Godwit Days trip. Call 826-7050 to register. volunteer e ort. Native Plant Week Felice Pace, Water Resources Chair River which has much lower disease rates. Saturday April 18, 10 a.m. Salmon River Trail Barring another “Miracle March”, California Meanwhile, the Yurok and Klamath Tribes, April 11 - 19 Wildfl ower Day Hike. About 3 miles round trip to looks to be entering a third straight year of drought. which hold water rights that could provide Evening Programs A week dedicated to the appreciation, Hippo Rock, along the river. Meet at 10 a.m. at the In Northwest California’s Klamath Mountains the the Klamath fl ows scientists say are needed, Second Wednesday evening, September through May. education and conservation of California’s Panamnik Building, 38150 Hwy 96, Orleans. Bring water content of the snowpack in late February continue to forgo asserting those rights in hopes Refreshments at 7 p.m.; program at 7:30 p.m. at the Six fabulous native ora. Brought to you by the lunch water. Contact Tanya Chapple at 530-627-3202 was 17 percent of average; in the Upper Klamath the federal government will provide them with Rivers Masonic Lodge, 251 Bayside Road, near 7th and California Native Plant Society, protecting or [email protected]. Co-sponsored by Mid-Klamath Basin the snowpack was 10 percent of average. “economic development” funding and other Union, Arcata. California’s native ora since 1965. Watershed Council. Another year of drought is bad news for benefi ts negotiated as part of the Klamath Basin For details of these events go to Saturday April 25,. 10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. Ferns of Klamath Salmon. While a federal legal opinion Restoration Agreement (KBRA) water deal. Both April 8, Wednesday. 7:30 p.m. “Northern California www.northcoastcnps.org the Dunes. Carol Ralph will introduce eight species of should make 50,000 acre feet of Trinity River water tribes recently initiated KBRA “dispute resolution” Botanical Rarities: what to look for, how to fi nd them.” our common ferns at the riparian edge of the Lanphere available to prevent a repeat of 2002’s adult salmon meetings in hopes of securing KBRA “bargained CNPS Rare Plant Botanist and veteran botanical explorer Dunes. Meet at Pacifi c Union School, 3001 Janes Road, die off in the Lower Klamath, no relief will be for benefi ts”. It is unknown if the tribes are also Aaron Sims discusses rare plants that live around here Field Trips & Plant Walks Arcata, and carpool to the reserve. Co-sponsored by provided to mitigate an ongoing disease epidemic demanding higher springtime river fl ows. and points out what we need to learn. He will introduce Saturday, April 11, 10 a.m.-12 noon. “Letting the Bay Friends of the Dunes. Please register at 444-1397. recently described rare species and rare species that have which infected up to 100 percent of the juvenile In the long run, lowering water temperatures Back in: Experience a Salt Marsh Restoration,” a walk Saturday & Sunday, May 2 & 3. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Dune salmon migrating down the Klamath River last year. and providing naturally high spring fl ows are likely not been seen for decades. at Freshwater Farms Reserve of the Northcoast Regional Walks at the Manila Community Center, part of the  at’s because the 2013 Biological Opinion for keys to restoring fi sh health in the Klamath River. May 13, Wed. 7:30 p.m. “ e Bigfoot Trail: A Land Trust with Michael Cipra and Carol Ralph of CNPS Spring Wildfl ower Show (see below). Coho salmon, Lost River sucker and Shortnose Removing four Pacifi Corp dams would help. But Celebration of Klamath Mountain Flora.” Michael Meet 10 a.m. 5851 Myrtle Ave. 822-2242.  ursday May 14,. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Garden Visit: Lost sucker prioritizes fi lling Upper Klamath Lake over lowering the Klamath’s water temperature also Events Kauff mann, originator of this trail, will lead a Sunday, April 12, 1:00-3:00 p.m.. “Native vs Non- Coast Brewery Native Plant Garden at the Humboldt the high spring fl ows scientists believe are needed requires that farmers and ranchers in the Scott, e North Group off ers the following hikes in photographic journey along its 360 miles from the Yolla native Plants at the Edge of the Bay,” a walk on Eureka’s Botanical Garden, with volunteer curator Mark Moore. to lower fi sh disease rates below Iron Gate Dam. Shasta and Tule Lake watersheds allow natural September. All our hikes are open to the public. Bollys to Crescent City, passing 32 species of conifers and Hikshari Trail, presented by Humboldt Baykeeper and Bring a sack lunch. Admission charged. Justifi ed as benefi ting endangered suckers, fi lling vegetation to shade streams and irrigation ditches countless mountain fl oral treasures. Map and notes will Hikshari Trail Stewards. Susan Penn will share plants, Contact hike leaders for more information: Saturday-Sunday, May 16-17. Shelter Cove and King running through their properties. Restoring be for sale. www.bigfoottrail.org ecology, and local history along a 3/4-mile section of this Upper Klamath Lake before providing increased Range Day Trip or Overnight. A native plant workshop spring fl ows allows the Bureau of Reclamation natural shade to Klamath River Basin streams is Sunday, April 12: South Fork Trinity River Hike. level trail. Se habla espanol. Meet at 10 a.m. at the vista Much to see on this perennial favorite National Special program for Native Plant Week: by the Lost Coast Interpretive Association, a guided walk to maximize water delivery to irrigators in the required by the Clean Water Act. But the agency point at the end of Truesdale St., Eureka. 825-1020 on the Shelter Cove Nature Trail, hiking the Hidden 210,000 acre Klamath Irrigation Project. charged with assuring that landowners allow Forest trail. Redbud, Baby Blue Eyes, Black-headed April 15, Wednesday. 7-9 p.m. “Ocean Friendly Grosbeak. Trekking poles will be a plus. A profusion Gardening and Native Plant Landscaping.” Sunday, April 12. Horse Mountain or Prairie Creek Valley Trail (2.7 miles), camping at Wailaki Campground,  e Klamath has the same fi sh diseases present natural shade on streams—the North Coast Water Experienced designers, landscapers, and gardeners Lia Day Trip. What are mountain plants doing in April when and hiking the Chemise Mountain Trail. RSVP to 822-2015. in other salmon rivers and a few unique to the Board—has been unwilling to use regulatory of wildfl owers is expected. No dogs. Dress for the snow is lacking? If winter continues dry, we will fi nd out! Webb, Erik Johnson, and Josh Koepke will start with Saturday, May 23. Two Azalea Reserves, Two Short Klamath. In other salmon rivers, however, only authority to insist that landowners allow natural weather. Hikers must have water, lunch, sun/cold If the weather becomes wintry, we will go someplace lower basic landscape design principals and move through Walks. Visit two natural stands of this beautiful, fragrant, a small percentage of salmon become diseased. shading of waterways. protection, good footwear, and agility to cross elevation. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at Pacifi c Union School (3001 small streams. 6.5 miles, 1,200 ft. elevation change, Slow-the-Flow principals, to ecological design, Low native shrub. Meet at 10:00 a.m. at Pacifi c Union School; Scientists believe the unprecedented high incidence EcoNews readers can encourage the agencies Impact Development, and the Ocean Friendly Gardening Janes Rd., Arcata). Bring lunch and water. 822-2015. 10:15 a.m. at Azalea State Natural Reserve; 12 noon-1 of fi sh diseases in the Klamath River is related to low responsible for Klamath water temperatures and moderate diffi culty. Carpools: Meet 8:30 a.m. at Ray’s shopping center in Valley West. Leader program, all with native plants in mind and will share Saturday April 18, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Native Plants in p.m. at Trinidad Museum (BYO picnic lunch); or about springtime river fl ows and high water temperature. fl ows to do more for Klamath Salmon.  e North examples. 443-8326. Yards and Forest. Join Carol Ralph for a walk from the 1:30 p.m. at Stagecoach Hill Azalea Reserve. 822-2015. Unreported in the mainstream press, juvenile Coast Regional Water Quality Board should insist Ned, [email protected], 825-3652. Heavy fi sh kills occur annually in the Klamath below that farmers, ranchers and other landowners rain cancels. Iron Gate Dam. Radio tagging indicates that only allow shade on streams running through their Saturday, April 25: Smith River NRA-Jedediah 8 percent of juvenile salmon migrating down the properties.  e National Marine Fisheries Service Smith State Park. Little Bald Hills Trail. From the should insist that the springtime river fl ows needed trailhead off South Fork Road, a succession of botanic Spring Wildfl ower Show &Plant Sale to reduce fi sh disease rates are provided. Below is communities and stunning views reward our 1,800 contact information for the agencies: ft. climb.  e afternoon’s descent enters old growth Show: May 1 (1-5 p.m.), Sale: May 2 & 3 (10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.) John W. Corbett, Chair, North Coast Regional Water redwood forest as the trail nears Howland Hill Road • hundreds of native plants for sale and our shuttled cars. Bring food, water, hiking (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) Quality Control Board, [email protected] 2 , 3 • trees, shrubs, perennials boots. No dogs. 10 miles, moderately diffi cult. Meet Irma Lagomarcino, Administrator, National Marine 9:30 a.m. Hiouchi Ranger Station (Hwy 199, just • hundreds of wildfl owers from seashore to mountains, labeled • bulbs, succulents, ferns, grasses Fisheries Service, [email protected] past and across from Jed. Smith Campground) By and displayed by family • for sun or shade, wet or dry reservation only. Leader Melinda 707-668-4275. • special feature grass display. Yes! They are fl owers! • experienced gardeners to help choose • wild plant identifi cation--bring it or a photo • reference books to consult Sunday, May 10: Trinity Alps Wilderness • grown by our volunteers and by Samara Restoration Nursery, Canyon Creek Day Hike. Out and back past lively • guided walks in the dunes • displays of edible native plants, wild medicinal plants, invasive plants, Lost Foods Nursery, Beresford Bulbs, and Chris Brant Nursery creek, granite cliff s, and spring blooms to meadows • cash, check, or credit card above Lower Falls. Bring plentiful food, water, sun live insects, and dune plants. • art (drawing and painting) workshop Friday evening 7 p.m. • bring a box to carry home your plants protection, hiking boots. 9 miles, 1400 ft el. change, • plant books and posters for sale moderate. Carpools 7:30 a.m. Blue Lake, First & G You can help! 707-826-7247 or [email protected]. St.; 10 a.m. Canyon Creek Trailhead Parking (13.5 Big Meadows in the Marble Mountain Wilderness normally has 10 You can help! 707-822-2015 or [email protected] We need people to transport potted plants, move plants, label plants, advise customers, to 15 feet of snow on March 1. This year the meadows are mostly mi. N Junction City on County Rd.401) Leader: tally purchases, take money, and clean up! Most tasks require no botanical knowledge. bare ground. Photo: Felice Pace. Melinda 707-668-4275. We need people to collect owers near and far, identify them, arrange them, set up tables, work shifts at tables, bring refreshments for volunteers, lead 17 www.yournec.org Apr/May 2015 EcoNews school groups, and clean up! Most tasks require no botanical knowledge. Find updates and details at www.northcoastcnps.org NORTHCOAST CHAPTER

Beginners and experts, non-members and members are all Community Center to Arcata Community Forest and back welcome at our programs and on our outings. Almost all of to see native plants in private landscapes and in a redwood our events are free. All of our events are made possible by forest. Free Godwit Days trip. Call 826-7050 to register. volunteer e ort. Native Plant Week Saturday April 18, 10 a.m. Salmon River Trail April 11 - 19 Wildfl ower Day Hike. About 3 miles round trip to Evening Programs A week dedicated to the appreciation, Hippo Rock, along the river. Meet at 10 a.m. at the Second Wednesday evening, September through May. education and conservation of California’s Panamnik Building, 38150 Hwy 96, Orleans. Bring Refreshments at 7 p.m.; program at 7:30 p.m. at the Six fabulous native ora. Brought to you by the lunch water. Contact Tanya Chapple at 530-627-3202 Rivers Masonic Lodge, 251 Bayside Road, near 7th and California Native Plant Society, protecting or [email protected]. Co-sponsored by Mid-Klamath Union, Arcata. California’s native ora since 1965. Watershed Council. For details of these events go to Saturday April 25,. 10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. Ferns of April 8, Wednesday. 7:30 p.m. “Northern California www.northcoastcnps.org the Dunes. Carol Ralph will introduce eight species of Botanical Rarities: what to look for, how to fi nd them.” our common ferns at the riparian edge of the Lanphere CNPS Rare Plant Botanist and veteran botanical explorer Dunes. Meet at Pacifi c Union School, 3001 Janes Road, Aaron Sims discusses rare plants that live around here Field Trips & Plant Walks Arcata, and carpool to the reserve. Co-sponsored by and points out what we need to learn. He will introduce Saturday, April 11, 10 a.m.-12 noon. “Letting the Bay Friends of the Dunes. Please register at 444-1397. recently described rare species and rare species that have Back in: Experience a Salt Marsh Restoration,” a walk Saturday & Sunday, May 2 & 3. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Dune not been seen for decades. at Freshwater Farms Reserve of the Northcoast Regional Walks at the Manila Community Center, part of the May 13, Wed. 7:30 p.m. “ e Bigfoot Trail: A Land Trust with Michael Cipra and Carol Ralph of CNPS Spring Wildfl ower Show (see below). Celebration of Klamath Mountain Flora.” Michael Meet 10 a.m. 5851 Myrtle Ave. 822-2242.  ursday May 14,. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Garden Visit: Lost Kauff mann, originator of this trail, will lead a Sunday, April 12, 1:00-3:00 p.m.. “Native vs Non- Coast Brewery Native Plant Garden at the Humboldt photographic journey along its 360 miles from the Yolla native Plants at the Edge of the Bay,” a walk on Eureka’s Botanical Garden, with volunteer curator Mark Moore. Bollys to Crescent City, passing 32 species of conifers and Hikshari Trail, presented by Humboldt Baykeeper and Bring a sack lunch. Admission charged. countless mountain fl oral treasures. Map and notes will Hikshari Trail Stewards. Susan Penn will share plants, Saturday-Sunday, May 16-17. Shelter Cove and King be for sale. www.bigfoottrail.org ecology, and local history along a 3/4-mile section of this Range Day Trip or Overnight. A native plant workshop Special program for Native Plant Week: level trail. Se habla espanol. Meet at 10 a.m. at the vista by the Lost Coast Interpretive Association, a guided walk point at the end of Truesdale St., Eureka. 825-1020 April 15, Wednesday. 7-9 p.m. “Ocean Friendly on the Shelter Cove Nature Trail, hiking the Hidden Gardening and Native Plant Landscaping.” Sunday, April 12. Horse Mountain or Prairie Creek Valley Trail (2.7 miles), camping at Wailaki Campground, Experienced designers, landscapers, and gardeners Lia Day Trip. What are mountain plants doing in April when and hiking the Chemise Mountain Trail. RSVP to 822-2015. snow is lacking? If winter continues dry, we will fi nd out! Webb, Erik Johnson, and Josh Koepke will start with Saturday, May 23. Two Azalea Reserves, Two Short If the weather becomes wintry, we will go someplace lower basic landscape design principals and move through Walks. Visit two natural stands of this beautiful, fragrant, Slow-the-Flow principals, to ecological design, Low elevation. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at Pacifi c Union School (3001 native shrub. Meet at 10:00 a.m. at Pacifi c Union School; Impact Development, and the Ocean Friendly Gardening Janes Rd., Arcata). Bring lunch and water. 822-2015. 10:15 a.m. at Azalea State Natural Reserve; 12 noon-1 program, all with native plants in mind and will share Saturday April 18, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Native Plants in p.m. at Trinidad Museum (BYO picnic lunch); or about examples. 443-8326. Yards and Forest. Join Carol Ralph for a walk from the 1:30 p.m. at Stagecoach Hill Azalea Reserve. 822-2015. Spring Wildfl ower Show & Plant Sale Show: May 1 (1-5 p.m.), Sale: May 2 & 3 (10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.) (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) • hundreds of native plants for sale 2 , 3 • trees, shrubs, perennials • hundreds of wildfl owers from seashore to mountains, labeled • bulbs, succulents, ferns, grasses and displayed by family • for sun or shade, wet or dry • special feature grass display. Yes! They are fl owers! • experienced gardeners to help choose • wild plant identifi cation--bring it or a photo • reference books to consult • guided walks in the dunes • grown by our volunteers and by Samara Restoration Nursery, • displays of edible native plants, wild medicinal plants, invasive plants, Lost Foods Nursery, Beresford Bulbs, and Chris Brant Nursery live insects, and dune plants. • cash, check, or credit card • art (drawing and painting) workshop Friday evening 7 p.m. • bring a box to carry home your plants

• plant books and posters for sale You can help! 707-826-7247 or [email protected]. You can help! 707-822-2015 or [email protected] We need people to transport potted plants, move plants, label plants, advise customers, We need people to collect owers near and far, identify them, arrange them, tally purchases, take money, and clean up! Most tasks require no botanical knowledge. set up tables, work shifts at tables, bring refreshments for volunteers, lead school groups, and clean up! Most tasks require no botanical knowledge. Find updates and details at www.northcoastcnps.org LNG Pipeline Problem Pot Pesticides CHERNOBYL, CHAPTER TWO: Fallout Continued om page 4 Continued om page 4 Continued om page 6 from the world’s worst nuclear accident may once again spread over Europe because forest A groundswell of opposition While we commend those who grow Siskiyou Land Conservancy) found that at least fi res will release radiation locked up in the upper In November 2014, the Federal Energy responsibly, there are far too many who suck another dozen wells remained contaminated with Eco-ManiaEco-ManiaEco-Mania layers of soil near Chernobyl. Regulatory Commission (FERC) released the long water out of critical salmon streams, use toxic 1,2-D. But the most signifi cant fi ndings occurred A merry melange: salient or silly.  e situation will worsen because of climate anticipated Draft Environmental Impact Statement pesticides, and doze forests for roads and grow within the last fi ve years. In 2010 the state Water change and because of the strange eff ect of for the Jordan Cove project opening up a 90- sites. Environmental and criminal law enforcement Board took just four surface water samples from fallout on dead leaves  e radiation itself seems day comment period on what they consider the agencies cannot keep up with monitoring and streams that run through lily fi elds before feeding enforcement of existing operations. We need true to inhibit the decay of “hot” leaf litter, perhaps environmental impacts of this project. Even a brief the Smith River estuary—two samples from above NO SNOWMEN: A Saudi Arabian cleric because it kills insects and micro-organisms. scan of the 5,000 page document, clearly showed regulation to rein in an industry that has gotten the lilies, two from below — and in one of the lower has created controversy by issuing a religious out of hand. Signifi cantly increasing the scale and that several elements have been left out of the samples found copper levels that were twenty- edict forbidding the building of snowmen Singapore overall impact list and that many of the inevitable scope of cultivation activities as CCVH proposes HIGH PRICE FOR LITTERING: eight times higher than allowed by state law. More because that creates an image of a human being has fi ned a smoker $15,000—the most ever impacts will not be properly avoided or handled. will increase damage to our waterways, forests, and compelling was that the water demonstrated considered sinful under a strict interpretation communities. for littering—for throwing cigarette butts out Public hearings were held in all four impacted “chronic reproductive toxicity,” meaning that of Sunni Islam. counties and turnout was huge! In Jackson county Our elected representatives are backing an of his window. industry-led group whose chief objective is to aquatic invertebrates that make up the basis of “It is not permitted to make a statue out of over 300 people stuff ed themselves into a room that the salmonid food chain could not reproduce snow, even by way of play and fun. only sat 100. Nearly 70 comments were given with legitimize industrial-scale grows when salmon BEER IS GOOD FOR YOU: A compound populations are at a tipping point and violent in that water. God has given people space to make whatever 85 percent of them being against the project. No Finally, in 2013, the Water Board took six more they want which does not have a soul, including found in hops called xanthohumol could protect LNG hats and buttons were visible throughout the crime rates are rising. Our Board of Supervisors neuronal cells and potentially slow development must take the lead on a public process to create samples of estuary surface waters.  ree of them trees, ships fruits, buildings and so on,” he wrote room and the energy was high and heated. Local demonstrated chronic reproductive toxicity, and a in his ruling. of brain disorders. media captured the event and it became clear that a marijuana ordinance that, fi rst and foremost, addresses ongoing environmental and social harms fourth—at the mouth of Rowdy Creek, one of the Scientists say the compound puts the brakes on southern Oregon does not want this project. Smith’s two most important coho salmon streams— Alzheimer’s and Parkinsons and other conditions In January 2015, the Oregon Department associated with marijuana cultivation. Certainly CCVH should be invited to participate, but they showed “acute” reproductive toxicity, meaning that of the brain. It may also off er cardiovascular of Environmental Quality (DEQ) held a public should not be running the show. if you dropped a baby invertebrate into this water protection and anti-cancer properties. meeting to allow citizens to ask questions regarding An ordinance of this signifi cance requires a truly it would die. Since fi nding the toxicity the Water the impacts to public waterways along the pipeline open, public process with input from community Board has refused to make the results public, so SUGAR BABIES: Girls who consume lots of route. Nearly 350 people attended this meeting groups, teachers, law enforcement agencies, Siskiyou Land Conservancy did so last year. sugary drinks start their periods earlier than those and again energy was heated and high. Turn out health care providers, resource professionals, Such toxicity at the estuary of one of the who don’t. for this meeting was a great success and means a conservation advocates and the public as a whole. most biologically intact—and therefore one of the What’s more, twice as many white girls in the lot as the DEQ is the state agency that has authority While we may not be able to end all the violence most important watersheds on the West Coast— over whether to issue the water quality certifi cate U.S. reach puberty at age seven than those who and environmental damage, we must do what we is unfathomable in an age when the threat of did a decade ago—with obesity and exposure required for Jordan Cove to move forward.  e can to build a better, safer future for our region and pesticides to aquatic species is well demonstrated. DEQ is responsible for evaluating all impacts to chemicals that mimic the female hormone all its inhabitants. Yet every year Easter lily growers apply 300,000 estrogen being the prime suspects. to waterways aff ected by this project and will be pounds of highly toxic pesticides to their crops. paying close attention to how the impacts may Two of these pesticides—1,3-dichloropropene violate Oregon’s water quality standards under the (which replaced 1,2-D) and metam sodium (which Clean Water Act. in 1991, after a train derailment and spill, killed all DEATH BY CHOCOLATE: New Hampshire But the ght is far from over! Volunteer aquatic life on a 40-mile stretch of the Sacramento offi cials are proposing to limit the use of Over the next year there will be more it feels good River)—are applied in pounds-per-acre amounts chocolate as bait to entice black bears out of opportunities to speak up, submit comments, rally that are higher than anywhere else in California, the woods after four of the wild animals were in opposition and defend southern Oregon from which is really saying something. corporate interests and fossil fuel exports. Please  at said, superlatives about the Smith River found dead at a trapping site from overdosing on contact us for important dates and events and to get are almost inexhaustible.  e Smith contains the sweet. involved! You voice and engagement is crucial and the more miles designated “Wild and Scenic” than OW, AS IN OWL: Watch out, early morning time is now. Email or call our campaign organizer at any other U.S. stream, and it is California’s only joggers are being warned in Oregon’s state YUMMY: An Icelandic micro-brewery has [email protected] or 541-488-9831. major undammed river. More than 80 percent capital, because a barred owl with an affi nity for reportedly launched a new beer fl avored with of the Smith River is protected in state and hats has attacked four people is the last month. the smoked testicles of whales. federal reserves, and the Smith holds the highest No one was seriously injured but one jogger  e testicles of fi n whale—an endangered percentage of original old-growth forest of any who lost his headgear to the owl said, “It was species—are cured “according to an old Icelandic California watershed. kind of amazing how it just swooped down and tradition” before being salted and smoked. grabbed my hat like that. It just pulled it off my In 1913, Iceland resumed commercial fi n head like it was nothing.” whaling after a two-year suspension, with most Morgan Corviday of its catch exported to Japan. 801.201.8969 [email protected] MAPPING GENETIC RICHES: Volunteers LUCKY LAPDOGS: Argentine President and scientists from fi ve continents are helping Cristina Fernandez ordered a change in policy at FEWER ROYALTIES: Monarch butterfl ies the “Drugs From Dirt” project, a global eff ort the state-run airline to allow passengers to carry have dropped 90 percent in the last 20 years— to turn up bacteria that may yield new types their lapdogs with them on fl ights. they make make it on the endangered species of antibiotics. Fernandez, who has a fi ve-pound dog named list despite the long backlog of listings.  e hard work is already paying off . Participants Lolita, said the perk will be shared by travelers  e herbicide Roundup may be the main CorviDesign have found an area in New Mexico and another on Aerolinas Argentinas, adding “Careful, I culprit for the disappearance since it kills freelance design for print and web www.corvidesign.net in Brazil so rich that they have collected 185 soil said only small pets. Don’t try to board with a milkweed, the only source of food for the Protesters at a No-LNG Pipeline Rally. Photo: Rogue Riverkeeper. samples and extracted DNA from them. 120-pound mastiff .” monarch caterpillar. 19 www.yournec.org Apr/May 2015 EcoNews CHERNOBYL, CHAPTER TWO: Fallout from the world’s worst nuclear accident may once again spread over Europe because forest fi res will release radiation locked up in the upper Eco-ManiaEco-ManiaEco-Mania layers of soil near Chernobyl. A merry melange: salient or silly.  e situation will worsen because of climate change and because of the strange eff ect of fallout on dead leaves  e radiation itself seems to inhibit the decay of “hot” leaf litter, perhaps NO SNOWMEN: A Saudi Arabian cleric because it kills insects and micro-organisms. has created controversy by issuing a religious edict forbidding the building of snowmen HIGH PRICE FOR LITTERING: Singapore because that creates an image of a human being has fi ned a smoker $15,000—the most ever considered sinful under a strict interpretation for littering—for throwing cigarette butts out of Sunni Islam. of his window. “It is not permitted to make a statue out of snow, even by way of play and fun. God has given people space to make whatever BEER IS GOOD FOR YOU: A compound they want which does not have a soul, including found in hops called xanthohumol could protect trees, ships fruits, buildings and so on,” he wrote neuronal cells and potentially slow development in his ruling. of brain disorders. Scientists say the compound puts the brakes on Alzheimer’s and Parkinsons and other conditions of the brain. It may also off er cardiovascular protection and anti-cancer properties.

SUGAR BABIES: Girls who consume lots of sugary drinks start their periods earlier than those who don’t. What’s more, twice as many white girls in the U.S. reach puberty at age seven than those who did a decade ago—with obesity and exposure to chemicals that mimic the female hormone estrogen being the prime suspects.

DEATH BY CHOCOLATE: New Hampshire offi cials are proposing to limit the use of chocolate as bait to entice black bears out of the woods after four of the wild animals were found dead at a trapping site from overdosing on the sweet. OW, AS IN OWL: Watch out, early morning joggers are being warned in Oregon’s state YUMMY: An Icelandic micro-brewery has capital, because a barred owl with an affi nity for reportedly launched a new beer fl avored with hats has attacked four people is the last month. the smoked testicles of whales. No one was seriously injured but one jogger  e testicles of fi n whale—an endangered who lost his headgear to the owl said, “It was species—are cured “according to an old Icelandic kind of amazing how it just swooped down and tradition” before being salted and smoked. grabbed my hat like that. It just pulled it off my In 1913, Iceland resumed commercial fi n head like it was nothing.” whaling after a two-year suspension, with most of its catch exported to Japan. MAPPING GENETIC RICHES: Volunteers LUCKY LAPDOGS: Argentine President and scientists from fi ve continents are helping Cristina Fernandez ordered a change in policy at FEWER ROYALTIES: Monarch butterfl ies the “Drugs From Dirt” project, a global eff ort the state-run airline to allow passengers to carry have dropped 90 percent in the last 20 years— to turn up bacteria that may yield new types their lapdogs with them on fl ights. they make make it on the endangered species of antibiotics. Fernandez, who has a fi ve-pound dog named list despite the long backlog of listings.  e hard work is already paying off . Participants Lolita, said the perk will be shared by travelers  e herbicide Roundup may be the main have found an area in New Mexico and another on Aerolinas Argentinas, adding “Careful, I culprit for the disappearance since it kills in Brazil so rich that they have collected 185 soil said only small pets. Don’t try to board with a milkweed, the only source of food for the samples and extracted DNA from them. 120-pound mastiff .” monarch caterpillar. EcoNews Apr/May 2015 www.yournec.org 20 Shasta Dam Continued om page 9

Most nudibranch ...magnifi cent scenery, treasured campgrounds species live no vacation destinations and fi shing sites. Bridges, Hopkins’ Rose longer than about roads, trails and railroad tracks would have to one year. However, be relocated. Nudibranch the creature doubles And the Reclamation Bureau’s own its chances of environmental report says the rising waters would Okenia rosacea procreation via force it to buy out up to 209 parcels, many of them in a “simultaneous Lakehead, much of which also would be inundated. hermaphroditic” Property values there already are in the tank after anatomy. Individual years of uncertainty about raising the dam. slugs bear both  e Sacramento River is at the heart of our male and female community—our trails, our bridges, our vistas, reproductive parts, revolve around the river. Its salmon are a major allowing them to component. Anything that threatens those salmon mate with any other threatens us, our lifestyle and, in many cases, adult slug. our livelihoods. Not all Now the Fish and Wildlife biologists tell us that nudibranch species higher lake levels, new construction and relocating resemble speckled roads and campgrounds would do irreparable harm mucus, and, in fact, to rare plants and animals around the lake. Hopkins’ rose nudibranch. The bright pink tentacles are called ‘cereta. Photo: n8agrin, Flickr.com CC. the family comes Tom Stokely, a water policy analyst for in a dazzling array the California Water Impact Network—the Brandon Drucker of diverse and vibrantly beautiful forms. One environmental group that won release of the Frequent explorers of the North Coast’s rocky particularly pink member of the nudibranch clan report—says it “cuts the legs out of the economic intertidal zone have likely encountered more has made a surprise appearance on the North justifi cation for the project.” Taxpayers would pay conspicuous creatures like urchins, anemones, Coast in recent times, astonishing scientists with about $655 million for the project, primarily for hermit crabs, and sea stars. But there’s another its newfound range and abundance. “benefi ts” to the salmon, benefi ts biologists say are exceptional tidepool dweller often overlooked, or  e Hopkins’ rose nudibranch (Okenia rosacea) all but nonexistent.  e remainder of the funding sometimes mistaken for orange-fl ecked snot: the is common on the southern coast, but very seldom would come from Valley farm water interests. nudibranch. seen in northern California. Yet, dense populations He has a point. More commonly known as the sea slug, the of this fl owery species have been discovered in Now that the report is public, Bureau of term nudibranch actually describes a diverse order tidepools from San Luis Obispo to Humboldt Reclamation and Fish and Wildlife spokespersons of shell-less mollusks comprised of 3,000+ unique County.  e last time Hopkin’s rose was seen this alike are stressing the report is just a draft—concerns species. “Nudi-branch” translates to naked gills, far north in such great numbers was in 1992 and are being addressed and the report could change. a reference to the exposed bronchial structures 1998 during especially strong El Nino events. Environmentalists worry that the pressure is protruding from nudibranch backsides.  ese Hopkins’ rose nudibranch sightings on the on behind the scenes—powerful interests are at critters generally grow between 0.25 - 12 inches in North Coast, in addition to other unusual marine work to alter the fi ndings. length, and inhabit tidepools, coral reefs, and other happenings like sea star wasting disease, jellyfi sh But if any changes are made to the 349-page coastal habitats around the world. blooms, and sea turtles off San Francisco, are report, if the biologists suddenly decide to change Nudibranches use their sensitive “antennae,” interpreted by many scientists to be indicators of a their fi ndings, those who wield the editors’ pens called rhinophores, to seek out prey such as algae, strong approaching El Niño event, as well as larger had better be prepared to justify them down to the sponges, corals, anemones, and sometimes other shifts in ocean climate and marine ecosystems. tiniest detail. nudibranches. Additionally, select species possess Whether or not they’re here to stay, for local Environmentalists—and all who cherish the the remarkable ability to transfer photosynthetic beachgoers, the pretty sea slugs are a striking Lake Shasta and her rivers—have what they need algae into their own tissues after consumption. reminder of nature’s wondrous diversity. Enjoy to mount a tough legal battle.  ereafter, the slugs feed off sugars produced their pink presence and remember to tread lightly This piece was originally published as an editorial at through photosynthesis, much like a plant. at local tidepools. www.redding.com BRANT ELECTRIC Calif. License #406330

sales • service • solutions COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL/INDUSTRIAL NEW CONSTRUCTION/REMODELS Apple computers • Mac software & accessories • Apple authorized service Internet set-up • Network services www.brantelectric.com (707)822-3256 [email protected] • www.simplymacintosh.com (707)822-3256

21 www.yournec.org Apr/May 2015 EcoNews ADS of

Shasta Dam the strongest teeth Continued om page 9 the Kids’ Page: in the world! ...magnifi cent scenery, treasured campgrounds Limpets Most nudibranch species live no vacation destinations and fi shing sites. Bridges, Hopkins’ Rose longer than about roads, trails and railroad tracks would have to one year. However, be relocated. Nudibranch the creature doubles And the Reclamation Bureau’s own its chances of environmental report says the rising waters would Do you know what the strongest natural material in Okenia rosacea procreation via force it to buy out up to 209 parcels, many of them in the world is? Spider silk is a good guess. It was the strongest a “simultaneous Lakehead, much of which also would be inundated. material found until recently. Now we know that limpet teeth hermaphroditic” Property values there already are in the tank after anatomy. Individual years of uncertainty about raising the dam. are the strongest natural material in the world! slugs bear both  e Sacramento River is at the heart of our Limpets are an aquatic type male and female community—our trails, our bridges, our vistas, What is a Limpet? reproductive parts, revolve around the river. Its salmon are a major of mollusk related to snails. Limpets are sometimes called allowing them to component. Anything that threatens those salmon sea snails. Limpets are found in freshwater, but mostly in salt mate with any other threatens us, our lifestyle and, in many cases, water. There are many species on the North Coast. They live on adult slug. our livelihoods. rocks along the coast right in the tide zone. They have a “foot” Not all Now the Fish and Wildlife biologists tell us that like a snail and a shell. The shell is shaped like a witches hat nudibranch species higher lake levels, new construction and relocating with some being more pointy than others. resemble speckled roads and campgrounds would do irreparable harm mucus, and, in fact, to rare plants and animals around the lake. Professor Asa Barber led the study on limpet teeth and their Hopkins’ rose nudibranch. The bright pink tentacles are called ‘cereta. Photo: n8agrin, Flickr.com CC. the family comes Tom Stokely, a water policy analyst for strength. She said their strength is like “a piece of spaghetti in a dazzling array the California Water Impact Network—the Brandon Drucker of diverse and vibrantly beautiful forms. One environmental group that won release of the enduring the force of 3,000 bags of sugar.” Limpet teeth are Frequent explorers of the North Coast’s rocky particularly pink member of the nudibranch clan report—says it “cuts the legs out of the economic 10 times stronger than human teeth and 5 times stronger than intertidal zone have likely encountered more has made a surprise appearance on the North justifi cation for the project.” Taxpayers would pay bamboo. What gives limpet teeth such strength is a material Word Search conspicuous creatures like urchins, anemones, Coast in recent times, astonishing scientists with about $655 million for the project, primarily for called goethite, which is a hard material that forms in the teeth hermit crabs, and sea stars. But there’s another its newfound range and abundance. “benefi ts” to the salmon, benefi ts biologists say are as they grow. R R L S A C I M S Q Z E X S A exceptional tidepool dweller often overlooked, or  e Hopkins’ rose nudibranch (Okenia rosacea) all but nonexistent.  e remainder of the funding sometimes mistaken for orange-fl ecked snot: the is common on the southern coast, but very seldom would come from Valley farm water interests. There are hundreds of species and they can be found all over D E R I V L O H X N T Y L A L nudibranch. seen in northern California. Yet, dense populations He has a point. the world in rocky coastal areas. Limpets can live up to 20 D V T T M L U Y T I A I R Q G More commonly known as the sea slug, the of this fl owery species have been discovered in Now that the report is public, Bureau of years and can range in size from the width of a pencil up to 8 term nudibranch actually describes a diverse order tidepools from San Luis Obispo to Humboldt Reclamation and Fish and Wildlife spokespersons B X E A L P C D H E M I F U A of shell-less mollusks comprised of 3,000+ unique County.  e last time Hopkin’s rose was seen this alike are stressing the report is just a draft—concerns inches. They scrape algae and diatoms off the rock with their N W J U W T E T A E E T L A E species. “Nudi-branch” translates to naked gills, far north in such great numbers was in 1992 and are being addressed and the report could change. radula (tiny rows of teeth that are used by mollusks for scraping a reference to the exposed bronchial structures 1998 during especially strong El Nino events. Environmentalists worry that the pressure is food). They also use their radula to scrape off rock to make the P X S H C T E T X R P T G T O protruding from nudibranch backsides.  ese Hopkins’ rose nudibranch sightings on the on behind the scenes—powerful interests are at perfect fi t for their shell on their “home site.” If it’s a very hard P K N C A O L H S O A Z E I T critters generally grow between 0.25 - 12 inches in North Coast, in addition to other unusual marine work to alter the fi ndings. rock, their shell will grow to fi t that home site. They are very length, and inhabit tidepools, coral reefs, and other happenings like sea star wasting disease, jellyfi sh But if any changes are made to the 349-page protective over their home site and will push others away to E B L T G O Z A G N R H T C Y coastal habitats around the world. blooms, and sea turtles off San Francisco, are report, if the biologists suddenly decide to change Nudibranches use their sensitive “antennae,” interpreted by many scientists to be indicators of a their fi ndings, those who wield the editors’ pens defend their perfect spot. S M O T A I D N S D C Q I S Q called rhinophores, to seek out prey such as algae, had better be prepared to justify them down to the strong approaching El Niño event, as well as larger During low tide at night is when they prefer to move around and Z O E B E A O M O H S B S W Q sponges, corals, anemones, and sometimes other shifts in ocean climate and marine ecosystems. tiniest detail. nudibranches. Additionally, select species possess Whether or not they’re here to stay, for local Environmentalists—and all who cherish the eat. This is when it’s least likely to get eaten by birds, seals, or O C S J O R T S A O C S E E G the remarkable ability to transfer photosynthetic beachgoers, the pretty sea slugs are a striking Lake Shasta and her rivers—have what they need fi sh. They keep cool and moist during the day by trapping water C U R E T A W H S E R F M D W algae into their own tissues after consumption. reminder of nature’s wondrous diversity. Enjoy to mount a tough legal battle. under their shell. Limpets are able to follow their slime trail back  ereafter, the slugs feed off sugars produced their pink presence and remember to tread lightly This piece was originally published as an editorial at to their home site, and their slime helps grow more algae for O D Z S Q M X I Q F O C O I R www.redding.com through photosynthesis, much like a plant. at local tidepools. them to eat. They attach themselves onto the rock so hard it is N Q B O A E Q G R A C L H T T very hard to remove them, and it can harm the limpet if you try. R E S E A R C H C X X W N O O BRANT ELECTRIC Living in the tide zone on a rock is a tough life with all those Calif. License #406330 waves crashing against you and sometimes being under water ALGAE HOME SITE SCRAPE and sometimes being above water. Limpets do a very good job AQUATIC LIMPETS SLIME sales • service • solutions COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL/INDUSTRIAL at surviving their environment, and having the strongest teeth COAST MOLLUSK SNAIL NEW CONSTRUCTION/REMODELS DIATOMS RADULA STRONG Apple computers • Mac software & accessories • Apple authorized service certainly helps. by Sarah Marnick FRESHWATER RESEARCH TEETH Internet set-up • Network services Above right: Plate limpets attached to a rock in the tidal zone at www.brantelectric.com (707)822-3256 Palmer’s Point in Patrick’s Point State Park. Photo: kara brugman, GOETHITE SALTWATER TIDE [email protected] • www.simplymacintosh.com Flickr.com CC. (707)822-3256

EcoNews Apr/May 2015 www.yournec.org 22 Northcoast Environmental Center NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE Help us continue to 1385 8th St. Suite 215, P.O. Box 4259 Arcata, CA 95521 PAID Arcata, CA advocate, educate, and PERMIT NO. 3 bring you BECOME A MEMBER Your tax-deductible membership donation will get EcoNews delivered right to your mailbox—and help us to continue to educate and inform the public about crucial environmental issues that a ect this region and our entire planet! Monkey Bu$iness Mail this membership form to: NEC, PO Box 4259, Arcata, CA 95518 An Indian childless couple say they are going to leave all their money to their or join online at www.yournec.org/donate. pet monkey who they believe has enriched their lives. Yes! I would like to join or renew my annual They have set up a trust fund for the 10-year-old long-tailed membership! Attached is my payment of: macaque, a breed has been known to live up to 40, and so the  $25 Student/Low income macaque could outlive them.  $35 Regular He is Muslim and she is Hindu, and they were both  $50 Family disinherited by their families. They started o poor. But  $1,000 Lifetime after the macaque came into their lives nine years ago, they did well, and have a number of businesses—all named after the monkey. The animal, too, lives in MAKE A DONATION style, with his own air-conditioned room. Here at the NEC, we are hoping that Yes! I would like to make a tax-deductible similar trust funds are being set up to donation to help the important work of the bene t our survival for more than 40 NEC and support the production of EcoNews! years. Because it’s you, the individual, Enclosed is my donation of: that keeps us a oat. There’s no big  $1000  $50 government handout, no giant grant,  $500  $25 nothing but you. Every one of your  $250  Other____ donations, however small it may be, is vital.  $100 So become a member, convince I would like to be a part of the NEC’s others to join, come in and volunteer, monthly giving program—the easiest shout NEC from the housetops. way to provide continuous support! It all will help. I pledge $______/month. And if you happen to spot a fairly  Please bill my credit card monthly well-to-do macaque, let him know  Please send me a pack of envelopes how vitally important his donation could be.  My check is enclosed Thank you.  Bill my credit card: VISA / MasterCard Do you have a smartphone? Scan the code to go to our THE RUSSIAN RIVER: ALL RIVERS donate page! THE VALUE OF AN AMERICAN WATERSHED Credit Card # Exp. Date boom, bust and binge - a morning after water story Name A film exploring the diverse forces influencing the health of California's Russian River watershed

Address THURSDAY, APRIL16, 2015 7pm - doors open 6pm City State $5 - $10 suggested donation Arcata Playhouse 1251 9th Street, Arcata CA 95521 Phone Zip russianriverallrivers.com Screening sponsored by 123 minutes E-mail Friends of the Eel River & Produced by Northcoast Environmental Center The Russian River: All Rivers LLC