Molalla River Alliance INTERIM REPORT: July 2008 July 23, 2008 Letter from the president Dear Alliance IT technician. If you are aware of indi- Members, viduals who might have the time, talent and dedication, please let me know. I hope this And, some exciting news is the finds you in good opening of the MRA office in downtown health and enjoying Molalla. See more inside and make sure the great weather to put the Open House date (Aug. 21st) (finally!). on your calendars. On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to More exciting news! Read inside provide the first of what will become an about how MRA members helped save a Save these dates ongoing series of updates on the progress small girl’s life on the River. Save these dates of your Molalla River Alliance. There Finally, if there are questions you has been exciting progress on many have or the need for additional informa-  Office Open House: Thursday Aug. 21 fronts. There remains much work to be tion, please feel free to contact me at any done … on many fronts. time.  MRA Meeting of Members: I want to encourage your continuing sup- Thank you all for your great, great TBD port and participation. Please get in- work! volved with your Enclosed with committees. Listed this report please on page two are the find the following: names and e-mail addresses of each Who We Are: committee’s leader.  Our Mission The efforts of  Our Goals the Alliance con-  Our Key Conser- tinue to attract vation Priorities growing and diverse  Strategic Issues support from nu- merous organiza- I encourage tions, associations everyone to famil- and individuals that iarize themselves share our goals and with these for they INSIDE are willing to help. are the most impor- Who We Are 2 I strongly believe tant words we will this will be a key to produce. They Ongoing Projects 3 our success. So, if serve to state our you are aware of purpose, ethics and other individuals, values, clarify our Partners 4 groups, or organiza- goals, and provide tions that want to guidance when confronted with tough Wild and Scenic 5-6 role up their sleeves with us, please in- issues. They are the principles which Flyer troduce them to the MRA. guide our collective efforts as the Mo- We look to broaden the expertise and lalla River Alliance and will be included diversity of skills of the Alliance. We on our web site. will benefit greatly if we can attract the following as full-time members: (1) sci- Mike Moody entist / biologist; (2) public relations spe- [email protected] cialist; (3) fund raiser / grant writer (4) (503) 699-8704 university connection; (5) attorney; (6) (503) 697-7233 (fax) Who we are The Molalla River Alliance is a non -profit, all-volunteer conservation group, comprised of more than 30 public and private, local, state and federal organiza- tions, groups and individuals, dedicated to playing a leading role in protecting and preserving the water quality of the Molalla River and to sustaining the wild- life, fish and plants that inhabit its water- shed. Our foremost commitment is to the benefit and health of the River and its ecosystem for the consequential enjoy- ment by all people. For our efforts to be successful, we endorse an ecosystem- based management approach that consid- ers the benefits to the River above those of any single species, activity, or group, including humans.

Our Mission  Engage multiple and diverse private  Implement plans which encourage The Mission of the Molalla River and public stakeholders to forge accessibility and encourage day-use Alliance is to safeguard, enhance and sus- collaborative, trust-based mutually activities tain the ecosystem and natural resources of beneficial partnerships  Increase law enforcement and pa- the Molalla River for enjoyment and bene-  Work with law enforcement partners trols in the Corridor fit of all people forever. to alleviate adverse effects of human  Support efforts to eliminate dump- activities on the River ing, littering, vandalism, and drug  Distinguish cultural, economic and use and underage drinking parties in Our Goals political influences which may con- the Corridor To promote efforts that preserve the tribute to threats to, or may enhance  Improve communication systems for water quality and biodiversity of the Mo- opportunities for, the Molalla River public health and safety; lalla River and to protect and sustain the  Promote increased public awareness  Maintain a substantial riparian zone natural resources that inhabit its water- of vital conservation issues affecting along the Molalla River shed the Molalla River  Eliminate motorized access to areas To promote a safe and healthy envi-  Share with others what we learn that are not manageable ronment that encourages diverse enjoy-  Pursue Wild and Scenic River status ment of the Molalla River Recreation for the upper Molalla River Corridor including tourism and family- Strategic Issues friendly activities  Work with the BLM to create a comprehensive management plan for COMMITTEE LEADERS the Molalla River Recreation Corri- Our Key Conservation dor; Science: Tom Derry Priorities  Encourage management of the Cor- [email protected] The Molalla River Alliance will: ridor for recreation, water quality, Law Enforcement/  Identify threats to the natural re- and fish and wildlife Communications:: sources of the Molalla River and  Encourage the removal of dispersed Bob Loucks define abatement strategies camping areas and create and main- [email protected]  Utilize ecosystem-based manage- tain full-service designated camp- Sgt. Gordon White ment plans which are measurable ground(s) [email protected] and favor long-term benefits;  Restrict camping between Molalla Recreation: Bill Taylor  Protect, improve and manage habi- River Forest Road and the river to [email protected] tats critical for breeding, spawning reduce adverse impacts to the ripar- Outreach/P.R.: John Atkins or nesting ian ecosystem [email protected]

Molalla River Alliance July 2008 Interim Report Page 2 COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE The address is 103 S. Molalla Ave., Molalla. We will be holding an OPEN HOUSE at our new of- OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS fices on Thursday evening, August 21st. Put it on your calen- Your Board believes the strength and diversity of the dar and we hope to see you there. MRA will be enhanced by expanding the number of Board members. To that end, the Board of Directors agreed to ex- WEB SITE and BROCHURE pand the board by at least four members-at-large and will pre- We are diligently working in earnest on the MRA web- sent this for a vote of the entire membership at our next meet- site and brochures. Much of the copy has been completed and ing. soon we will turn it over to a webmaster for construction. The Also at the next general meeting, a proposal will be pre- website will also include links to all MRA-member organiza- sented to stagger terms of the board to assure continuity and tions as well as information pertinent to tourism and educa- ease of transition. tion. If you want your group’s web link included, please let

Fran Taylor know at [email protected]. Also, if any of you TOURISM GRANTS are interested in helping on these vital tools, please let Fran Thanks to John Atkins efforts, MRA applied for and re- know. ceived a $3000 tourism grant to develop an MRA website and brochures. Great job, John!! WILD & SCENIC

PRESENTATION RIVER The MRA is working with TO SALMON American Rivers to gain Wild & Sce- STRONGHOLD nic Recreation designation for the Mo- th lalla River. We are in the process of On June 19 , the MRA securing support from Clackamas presented at the North American County, numerous organizations and Salmon Stronghold Partnership our U.S. Congressional delegates, in- meeting, a biological profile of cluding Senators Wyden and Smith, the Molalla River and a sum- etc. Rep. Darlene Hooley, who will mary of the conservation chal- leave office in November, sees desig- lenges and opportunities faced nation of the Molalla as part of her by the River. The Stronghold legacy and is a strong advocate. Con- Partnership works to direct re- gress adjourns September 26th, so, we sources to river conservation have a very narrow window to present efforts which promote fish- our case in this election year. friendly land and water prac- tices. They lend support to ef- fective local and regional ac- LAW ENFORCEMENT tions that will sustain fish popu- lations. Thanks to the efforts of Bob Of key interest to the Loucks and Sgt. Gordon White of the Stronghold are the widespread Molalla Police, law enforcement ef- efforts by the Molalla River Al- forts have been stepped-up in the Cor- liance. Our work was very ably presented by board member ridor. Coordinated patrols have been implemented in coopera- Mark Schmidt. tion with Clackamas County Sheriff, State Police and We feel the Alliance fits the criteria of the Stronghold BLM enforcement officers. Partnership and will learn later this year if the Molalla River is Two officers are now traveling in a car; heavy enforce- to be included in the Stronghold. ment patrols on Friday nights and a rules and regulations flyer has been created that can be handed out to users in the Corri- dor. According to numerous comments, their efforts have OFFICE seen a marked decline in vandalism, underage drinking and The Alliance has entered into an agreement to share of- general criminal activity. fice space with other conservation groups with commitments to the Molalla River and surrounding area. It is intended that the office will become THE center of information and knowl- HAPPY ENDING!! edge about the entire Molalla Recreation Corridor. Also, on their very first weekend of expanded patrols, Any organization involved with the River will be able to dis- they played a critical role in saving the life of a 4-year-old girl play their brochures, maps, books, etc. We are in the process who nearly drowned. Great job you guys!! of fixing/painting/cleaning it up. Special thanks to Gordon and his teams. Fantastic job!!

Molalla River Alliance July 2008 Interim Report Page 3 BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT Our friends at BLM have been very busy in the Corridor, in- cluding expanding the camp hosts program to two full-time pairs; installing portable toilets in the Corridor on high-use weekends; replacing damaged signage, and supporting the Wild and Scenic status for the Molalla River. In addition, they have offered the Alliance a marvelous opportunity to provide key input in drafting the Management Plan for the Molalla Corridor. We very much appreciate the help of Cindy, Zack, Wade and Adam. In addition, recently BLM biologists provided members of the Alliance with a comprehensive and very informative tour of the Corridor. Thank you, BLM!

Photo captions

Page one upper left: Photo of MRA Partners Ogle Creek Falls taken in June  American Rivers 2008. Photo by Russell Bassett

 Back Country Horsemen Page one lower left: Jay Nicho-  BARK las, North America Salmon  Bee Ranch Stronghold Partnership program  Bureau of Land Management manager, lands a Molalla River  City of Molalla wild winter steelhead this winter.  Friends of the Molalla Photo by Mark Schmidt  Kaitlin Lovell, Bureau of Envi- ronmental Services / City of Port- Page one center: Photo of a sun- land rise over the Molalla River just  Clackamas County Parks and below the of the Recreation  North American Salmon North Fork taken in 2006. Photo  Clackamas County Sheriff Stronghold Program by Mark Schmidt  David Moskowitz, Confluence  Northwest Steelheaders Consulting, LLC  Oregon Department of Fish & Page two: Photo of confluence of  Andrea Salinas, Office of Con- Wildlife (ODFW) Lukens Creek with North Fork gresswoman Darlene Hooley  Oregon Department of For- taken in 2005. Photo by Russell  DEQ / Karen Williams estry (ODF) Bassett  Ecotrust  Oregon Equestrian Trails  Friends of the Molalla River  Oregon State Police Page three: Photo of the Main  Glen Avon Neighborhood As-  Oregon Trout Fork in the Molalla River Recrea- sociation  Oregon Wild tion Corridor taken earlier this year. Photo by John Atkins  Hamlet of Mulino  Peachuck Lookout Advocacy

 Jo Anne Dolan, Lluvia Buena Group Page four top from left: BLM fish  Mazamas  Sierra Club biologists Bob Ruediger and Joe  Molalla Community Planning  South Clackamas Community Moreau discuss camping impacts Organization Planning Organization in the Corridor with MRA Recrea-  Molalla Pioneer Newspaper  Steven H. Smith Fisheries tion Committee Chair Bill Taylor  Molalla Police Department Consulting, Inc. earlier this month. Photo by Rus-  Molalla Retreat  Todos Juntos sell Bassett  Molalla RiverWatch  Trails End Campground  Molalla River Anglers  Western Rivers Page four bottom: A rafter enjoys  Native Fish Society  Willamette Riverkeeper one of the many recreation op-  National Oceanic and Atmos-  Individual Landowners and portunities in the Corridor with pheric Administration (NOAA) Neighbors her dog. Photo by Ryan Morgan

Molalla River Alliance July 2008 Interim Report Page 4 Wild Molalla River and Scenic The beautifully scenic Molalla River originates in the Western Cascades, tumbling through private and public forests to the . It supports a variety of ecosystems and provides many recreational opportunities as well as clean drinking water for the cities of Molalla and Canby.

Location Clackamas County, Oregon Proposed Length 21.3 miles Proposed Classification Recreational Agency Manager Public domain lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management acquired in a 1992 land trade

The Molalla River’s Outstandingly Remarkable Values

Scenic: Deep clear pools, cascading whitewater, and lush forests provide recreation and enjoy- ment for the thousands of people who visit the Molalla River Recreation Corridor each year. Recreation: The Corridor offers year-round recreational opportunities such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, kayaking, swimming, picnicking, nature watching, and photography in a rural area close to Molalla as well as surrounding Clackamas County and the Portland met- ropolitan area. Geology: Ancient basalt formations characterize the geology of the canyon. The river cuts deeply into these formations creating narrow canyons and beautiful rock outcrops, vertical columns, horizontal post piles, and a spec- tacular and an unusual columnar rosette formation that emerges like sunrays from the narrow canyon wall down into the crystal-clear water. Cultural: Native Americans established a trail along the Molalla River now known as the “Historic Table Rock Trail”. This trail was used to access huckleberry fields near Table Rock, and provided a key trade route with peo- ples across the Cascades in central and southern Oregon. Evidence of the trail's origins is provided by archeological sites found along the trail includ- ing Image Rock, a petroglyph boulder Community: Wild and Scenic Recreation designation for the Molalla River has broad community support. The Molalla River Alliance is a non- profit coalition of more than 40 public and private, local, state, and federal organizations dedicated to playing a leading role in protecting and preserving the water quality of the Molalla River and to sustaining the wildlife, fish and plants that inhabit the watershed. Protection of the upper Molalla River and its tributaries will protect and enhance the values provided by the river and bring needed economic benefits to the Molalla community. Molalla River Alliance July 2008 Interim Report Page 5 Supporters of Wild and Scenic Designation for the Molalla River

 American Rivers  BARK  City of Molalla  Kaitlin Lovell, Salmon Man- ager, Local Municipality  City of Molalla  Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts  Clackamas County Soil and Water Conservation District  David Moskowitz, Conflu- ence Consulting, LLC  Congresswoman Darlene Hooley  Karen Williams, DEQ Basin Coordinator  Ecotrust  Friends of the Molalla River  Glen Avon Neighborhood Association  Hamlet of Mulino  Jo Anne Dolan, Lluvia Buena  Molalla Community Planning Organization  Molalla Police Department  Molalla Retreat  Molalla River Alliance  Molalla RiverWatch  Northwest Steelheaders  Native Fish Society  National Oceanic and Atmos- pheric Administration (NOAA)  Olalla Bee Ranch Club  Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife  Oregon State Police  Oregon Trout  Oregon Wild  Peachuck Lookouts  Ryan Morgan, Todos Juntos  Sierra Club  South Clackamas Community Planning Organization  Steven H. Smith Fisheries Consulting, Inc.  Wild Salmon Center  Willamette Riverkeeper  Individual landowners and neighbors Contact: MRA Board President Mike Moody at 6002 Jean Rd., Ste. 200. Lake Oswego, OR 97035. [email protected]

Molalla River Alliance July 2008 Interim Report Page 6