Oregon Wild Spring/Summer 2011 Volume 38, Number 2

The new assault on the environment

wild summer hikes inside

1 Spring/Summer 2011 Volume 38, Number 2 Formerly Oregon Natural Resources Council (ONRC). Working to protect and restore Oregon’s wildlands, wildlife, and waters as an enduring legacy.

Main Office Western Field Office INSIDE THIS ISSUE 5825 N Greeley Avenue Portland, OR 97217 P.O. Box 11648 Eugene, OR 97440 Phone: 503.283.6343 Fax: 503.283.0756 454 Willamette, Suite 203 www.oregonwild.org Phone 541.344.0675 Fax: 541.343.0996 The new assault on the environment {4-7} The e-mail address for each Oregon Wild Conservation & Restoration Coord. Doug Heiken x 1 Oregon Wild Summer {8-9} staff member: [email protected] Old Growth Campaign Coordinator Chandra LeGue x 2 (for example: [email protected]) S&M – It’s a wildlife thing {12} Wilderness Coordinator Erik Fernandez x 202 Eastern Field Office 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR 97701 Director of Finance & Admin. Candice Guth x 219 Phone: 541.382.2616 Fax: 541.385.3370 Development Coordinator Jonathan Jelen x 224 Healthy Rivers Campaign Coord. Ani Kame’enui x 200 Eastern OR Wildlands Advocate Tim Lillebo Outreach Associate Denise Kayser x 213 Wildlands Advocate Rob Klavins x 210 cover photo: khristian snyder C louds form over S parks Lake and the T h r e e S i s t e r s Conservation Director Steve Pedery x 212 Wilderness. A storm of another kind is threatening Oregon’s wildlands (read more on page 4). Executive Director Scott Shlaes x 223 ([email protected]) Director of Comm. & Development Sean Stevens x 211 Wildlands Interpreter Wendell Wood x 200

Oregon Wild Board of Directors Gary Guttormsen, President Vik Anantha Rand Schenck Leslie Logan, Vice President Jim Baker William Sullivan Megan Gibb, Treasurer Pat Clancy Jan Wilson Daniel Robertson, Secretary Shawn Donnille

Oregon Wild is a tax-exempt, non-profit charitable organization. www.facebook.com/OregonWild Newsletter printed on New Leaf 100% recycled, 50% post-consumer, FSC-certified paper with soy based inks. @oregonwild

Spring/Summer 2011 Volume 38, Number 2 2 From the Director’s Desk Define your passion Scott Shlaes

Success isn’t a result of spontaneous Now is the time to speak out on behalf of pressing threats in need of attention, it combustion. You must set yourself on fire. animals like the gray wolf, whose also features opportunities to head into ~Arnold H. Glasow protection under the Endangered Species the wild during our Oregon Wild Act has been revoked; not because its Summer event and share your journeys When I think of how our passions are populations are thriving, but because it is through our Seventh Annual Outdoor ignited, I am in awe of their power and simply easier to turn the other way. Photo Contest. ability to create change at the individual and community levels. I am also acutely Now is the time to speak out on how our I can’t say it enough – get out there! It’s aware that if you do not steward and stoke National Forests are managed, so they are easy to get so wrapped up in the defense cover photo: khristian snyder C louds form over S parks Lake and the T h r e e S i s t e r s that flame within, it will eventually burn not used in a way that harms the vibrant of our wild places that we forget to Wilderness. A storm of another kind is threatening Oregon’s wildlands (read more on page 4). out. web of life that depends on a thriving celebrate them. Enjoy the abundant forest for its survival, or despoils the clean beauty of our state, and perhaps even As you’ll see from the content of this drinking water upon which we depend. bring a friend, and see if your passion for magazine, wild places throughout Oregon the wild becomes theirs. and the rest our country face new threats. Now is the time to nurture your passion As Congress repeals protections for and give it voice. Find the old-growth For 37 years, Oregon Wild has partnered endangered species and ignores a public grove or rushing stream that matters to with thousands of people like you, to process for wildlands stewardship, it is you and use your voice to speak out on its successfully advocate for the protection easy to become disheartened, and watch behalf. and restoration of Oregon’s wildlands, our flame extinguish. wildlife, and waters as an enduring legacy. Most importantly, as you advocate on We exist to help spark the flame of While large expanses of land and water behalf of our state’s wildlife and special environmental protection and keep the – and the life that inhabit them – face places, please take the time to get out to fire burning for our cherished lands. threats from the chainsaw and the the wilderness that energizes you and Please continue your passionate bulldozer, the largest threat they face is reconnects you with your passion. While engagement in our advocacy so we may the silence of our state’s residents and our the Oregon Wild magazine identifies continue to be successful in our efforts. country’s citizens. khristian snyder 3 Spring/Summer 2011 Volume 38, Number 2 Will budget deal spawn a storm of riders? Steve Pedery, Conservation Director

he late U.S. Supreme Court Taken for a Ride many voters ears. Yet some politicians Justice Louis Brandeis once said who championed transparency last fall thatT when it comes to government, “Riders” are a time honored tradition were quick to load the 2011 budget “sunshine is the best disinfectant.” He by some politicians in Washington, bill down with “riders” of their own. believed that when the decisions of D.C. – a way to pass unpopular or Wolves, Wildlands, and Clean our elected leaders are subject to controversial legislation without Water public scrutiny, they are more likely to having to face a straight up or down vote or much public scrutiny. act in the best interest of current and It was only after the 2011 budget bill future generations of Americans. The principle works like this – take an passed that the anti-environmental The April 9 agreement between unpopular legislative proposal (like riders contained within it really began Congress and President Obama to gutting clean water rules designed to to attract significant attention. prevent herbicides from ending up in include a number of stealth anti- “Congress, in a First, Removes an salmon streams), and attach it to a environmental “riders” in the 2011 Animal From the Endangered completely unrelated piece of budget deal demonstrates that Justice Species List” the New York Times must-pass legislation (like an Brandeis’ observations are as true headline read. emergency budget bill needed to avoid today as they were when he first newspaper ran a story titled “Budget a government shut-down). Other penned them in 1913. deal blocks Obama wilderness members of Congress must then policy,” while Oregon Public Most Americans thought the long, choose between voting no on the Broadcasting aired a radio segment painful debate between Republicans whole package (and being blamed for titled “If Congress Can Delist and Democrats over shutting down shutting down the government or Wolves, What Else Might Be the federal government was about blocking funds for American troops in Removed?” spending and deficits. The only “riders” wartime), or going along with the bad that received much public scrutiny “rider.” As an added bonus, since the Conservation-minded Americans were measures to strip funding from news media focuses public attention were mostly left scratching their Planned Parenthood and National on the budget aspects of the bill, the heads. Wasn’t the budget deal Public Radio. However, the final unrelated policy riders often go supposed to be about cutting budget deal also contained a number unnoticed until it’s too late. spending, and preventing a shut-down of deeply-troubling attacks on a range of the federal government? What does © Donald A. Higgs T h e e m b a t t l e d g r a y Last summer and fall, some politicians wolf (Canis lupus) w a s a c a s u a l t y o f of environmental, public lands, and wolf conservation and EPA clean running for the U.S. Congress made the budget deal and becomes the first wildlife conservation programs. water enforcement have to do with species legislatively removed from federal grandiose promises about “restoring funding programs like Social Security ESA protections. accountability” to Congress—music to

Spring/Summer 2011 Volume 38, Number 2 4 and Medicare, or keeping the doors Led by Sen. Hatfield (R-OR), in the to our National Parks open? summer of 1995 these anti- Taken for a “Ride” Will budget deal spawn a storm of riders? environmental politicians joined More importantly, why would Steve Pedery, Conservation Director forces with special interests around normally pro-environment members the nation to load dozens of Anti- Throwing Big Oil Trumping Muzzling the Damming Klamath Saying no to of Congress, and the Obama Environment Wolves off the Wildlands Environmental Salmon NOAA on anti-environmental riders to an Provision Ark Watchdog Climate Service administration, ever go along with emergency spending bill. Clinton, such a thing? possessing limited time and political Description Senator John When President Oil and coal Rep. Tom Climate-change Blast from the Past capital, believed the salvage logging Tester (D-MT) Obama reversed interests work to McClintock (R-CA) deniers oppose provision provided good trading and others try a Bush policy keep the EPA wants dams to consolidating Conservationists faced similar to strip ESA and restored from regulating stay and salmon dozens of stock. By allowing this “logging protection from BLM authority to global warming to suffer, and federal climate questions back in 1995, when without laws” measure to go through, gray wolves in protect pristine pollution. works to stifle an science then-President Clinton signed into he could win support from Sen. the Western lands, anti- important Klamath programs into a law a rider by Oregon’s very own Hatfield and others for the U.S. in a first environment River dams study. central National Senator Mark Hatfield. Known as emergency spending bill without ever politicians went Climate Service the “Salvage Rider,” this incredibly using his own political capital. In so Congressional to work for Big clearinghouse. destructive legislation suspended all doing, he paved the way for tens of delisting. Energy to double back. relevant environmental laws for a thousands of acres of old-growth period of one year to promote forest and pristine roadless areas to Did the YES, wolves YES, a budget SORT OF, the NO, McClintock’s YES, NOAA’s “salvage logging” on America’s forest be clear-cut. American were officially rider stripped EPA’s authority anti-salmon climate center lands (using fire, windfall, and other People Get yanked from funding for the over global scheme didn’t is a “no go” natural events as a justification to In the 2011 budget deal, it appears Taken for a the ESA list and Wildlands Policy warming wasn’t sneak into the final thanks to log). that President Obama followed the Ride? President for this year gutted, but their budget another budget same political calculus. While dozens Obama signed budget was rider For Clinton, the political calculus of anti-environmental riders were it into law slashed by 19% was simple. Many old-school proposed, only one really made Senators from the western states headlines (barring the EPA from were furious that organizations like restricting greenhouse gas pollution). Oregon Wild (then known as the Other anti-environmental provisions Oregon Natural Resources Council, could be used as handy trading stock or ONRC) were forcing the Forest to preserve more politically Service and BLM to obey the important priorities such as Endangered Species Act, Clean healthcare reform legislation. Water Act, and National Environmental Policy Act. At the The rider to strip endangered species time, those politicians were more protection from gray wolves interested in clear-cutting the last of originated with Senator John Tester the old growth than in giving the (D-MT), a so-called “Blue Dog” recently-adopted Northwest Forest facing a brutal re-election campaign. Plan a chance to work. Tester hoped his wolf-kill legislation would win him support among vocal

5 Spring/Summer 2011 Volume 38, Number 2 anti-wildlife interests. Tester’s What Next? they have made. Given their success What You Can Do Leaders re-election bid (and the effort to on stripping ESA protection for maintain Democratic control of the While the anti-environmental riders wolves, Oregon and other states The 1995 Salvage Rider was a of the Senate) appears to have been a factor agreed to by Obama and Congress could see similar measures to remove watershed moment for conservationists, in the decision by President Obama are terrible on their own merits, the protections for additional species that sparking a wave of outrage in the Attack and others to support the measure. real threat may be in what comes are inconvenient or locally unpopular. Pacific Northwest that chastened local next. Wild spring Chinook salmon in the politicians and President Clinton (see Whatever the reason, Obama (who Columbia River, northern spotted related sidebar). Will the 2011 budget While Obama hung tough on the ran as an environmental champion) owls and other old-growth dependent deal and the wolf kill rider, along with EPA’s right to restrict greenhouse gas signed into law the first measure in species, and the sage grouse could all the other environmental attacks, spark pollution, he and pro-conservation history that substituted the judgment face similar attacks. a similar response? of politicians for that of biologists in members of Congress largely deciding whether or not a species surrendered on other high profile It may not stop there. Additional That will depend on organizations like deserves ESA protection. And it environmental issues. Did the 2011 riders seeking to restrict the Oregon Wild – and their members. happened through a rider to a budget budget deal appease anti- President’s power to designate new In the lead up to the budget deal, bill. Like the other riders, the environmental interests? Or will it National Monuments, the Forest Oregon Wild sent out a series of wolf-kill provision never received a simply embolden them to come back Service’s ability to regulate noisy electronic action alerts to our Eight people who had public hearing, was never scrutinized with more riders in the next budget, off-road vehicles, or the ability of members, generating over 1,000 the environment in in the news media, and was never the or must-pass piece of legislation? other federal agencies to protect e-mails, letters, and phone calls to their sights in 2011 subject of a straight up or down vote salmon by curtailing water diversions It seems unlikely that logging, Oregon’s Congressional delegation in Congress. by agribusiness interests all seem mining, agribusiness, and energy urging them to fight back against the likely. interests will stand pat with the gains anti-environmental riders. Three

David Allen Rep. Rob Bishop Rod Childers State Rep. Ted (Pres., Rocky (R-UT) (Oregon Cattleman’s Ferrioli (R-John Day) Mountain Elk Association) Foundation) Railed against the BLM Told an international Wildlands Policy – Spread misinformation wildlife activist to “go Contradicted his ultimately pulling funding about wolves and their away” after calling organization’s data for the common sense impact on livestock and Greece a “haven for on elk populations program with a budget human safety in an morons,” all while to steer a once- rider. Also, introduced effort to undermine eastern Oregon proud wildlife legislation to negate all Oregon’s Wolf business owners worked conservation group environmental laws at the Conservation and to bring tourists to the towards an all-out U.S.-Mexico border. Management Plan. region for wildlife war on wolves. watching.

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Spring/Summer 2011 Volume 38, Number 2 6 Oregon elected officials (Sen. Ron ask them to explain why they Wyden, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, and supported the wolf-kill rider and Logging without laws redux? Rep. David Wu) opposed the deal. other measures. You can contact your The rest (Sen. Jeff Merkley, Rep. elected officials by calling the U.S. In the laws for a period of just over one coast to voice public opposition to Peter DeFazio, Rep. Kurt Schrader, Capitol Switchboard at summer of year, and pushing through tens of old-growth logging, including several and Rep. Greg Walden) voted to pass 877.762.8762 and asking to speak 1995, as the thousands of acres of old-growth huge demonstrations in Portland’s the rider-stuffed budget. And though with your representative’s office. nation was logging.The measure was so loosely Pioneer Courthouse Square. grieving the written that Sen. Bill Bradley (D-NJ) Former-Rep. Elizabeth Furse (D-OR), Governor John Kitzhaber doesn’t  Julie Norman S e n a t o r bombing of recognized that “any tree made of Get active. If you’re an Oregon Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), and have a vote in Congress, he sent a R on Wyden stands next to the wood” could be logged. Wild member, you already know an ancient tree cut down others worked with Oregon Wild and letter to the Obama administration Oklahoma as part of the infamous President Clinton, who faced intense other conservation groups on how important your support is to our City federal expressing his opposition to the “Salvage Rider” in 1996. political pressure to cut a deal with legislation seeking to repeal the work protecting Oregon’s wildlands, building, wolf-kill measure. Republicans to resolve the 1995 measure. Oregon Wild and other wildlife, and waters. Urge your then Oregon Senator Mark Hatfield fiscal year budget dispute, signed the groups challenged the law and used his clout to insert a “stealth” The most important actions a family and friends to become measure into law on July 27, 1995. dozens of old-growth logging sales in anti-environmental rider into a conservation-minded Oregonian can Oregon Wild members too (see our He roused a sleeping environmental court. By the time the Salvage Rider spending bill which contained financial take today to head off new anti- New Member Challenge on page giant. As news of the measure expired at the end of 1996, Clinton aid for the victims and for war-torn environmental riders are simple: 11). It’s easy and you can join online. spread, over 60,000 people jammed administration officials claimed they Bosnia. The euphemistically named the White House phone line to voice were “snookered” into signing the bill. Join our e-mail activist list, follow us “Salvage Rider,” sought to use forest Call your Representative, along their opposition, and tens of While the rider is no more, its results on the Oregon WildBlog, or “like” us fires, insects, wind throw, volcanic with Senators Wyden and Merkley. thousands more mailed in letters and remain in the form of old-growth on Facebook, to get the latest eruptions, and other natural events postcards. Conservationists organized clear-cuts still peppering the Oregon If they voted against the budget and to justify suspending environmental updates on anti-environmental riders rallies in major cities across the west landscape. the anti-environmental riders, thank and other issues affecting Oregon’s them. If they voted for the measures, great outdoors.

Rep. Tom Sen. Harry Reid State Rep. Mike Sen. John Tester McClintock (D-NV) Schaufler (D-MT) (R-CA) (D-Happy Valley) After claiming a week In a desperate attempt to Sponsored a before that no Made the shocking bolster his 2012 budget rider (that environmental riders statement at a hearing re-election campaign, ultimately failed) would pass with the in the Oregon sponsored and rammed that would have budget, allowed Legislature while through Congress a rider stripped funding precedent setting speaking about wolves: to strip federal protections for an important delisting of gray “…you should be able from imperiled gray sediment study at wolves and gutting of to shoot any varmint wolves across the West, the aging the Wildlands Policy that’s making [a] representing the first ever to pass as riders on a threat, even if it’s the Congressional delisting of dams. budget bill. last one on earth.” a species. Rating: Rating: Rating: Rating:

7 Spring/Summer 2011 Volume 38, Number 2 All outings are guided by experts and require online reservations. Please leave pets at home. For your comfort and safety, wear appropriate attire and bring plenty of water, snacks, and a lunch. Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.

Saturday, June 18 Tamanawas Falls Tree Identification Leader: Erik Fernandez (Moderate, 5.5 miles, elevation gain 500 feet, National Forest) Explore a diverse old-growth forest along the crystal clear Cold Spring Creek leading up to the spectacular Tamanawas Falls. Wednesday, June 22 Brice Creek and Trestle Creek Falls Leader: Chandra LeGue jamey pyles (Moderate, 4.0 miles, elevation gain Saturday, June 25 Oregon Wild proudly presents 1,000 feet, ) Hike a well-loved trail along beautiful Oregon Dunes Leader: Chandra LeGue Brice Creek and to the Upper Trestle Oregon Wild Creek Falls for a picnic and forest (Easy – Moderate, 4.0 miles, elevation exploration. gain 500 feet, Oregon Dunes ) summer 2011 Saturday, June 25 Discover the treasures of the Oregon Visit the places you want to see with Tilly Jane Cloudcap Saddle Dunes. Traverse winding creeks, explore Leader: Margo Earley the people who know them best! pine forests, and walk a deserted beach. (Strenuous, 6.0 miles, elevation gain Sunday, June 26 Register for hikes and outings at 2,200 feet, Mount Hood National Forest) Hike to the treeline through newly and Rooster Rock www.oregonwild.org Leader: Sean Stevens or call 503.283.6343 ext. 210 designated Wilderness and dramatic post-fire re-growth. Top it off with a (Moderate, 5.0 miles, elevation gain 1.000 feet, Table Rock Wilderness, Salem BLM) Presented by KEEN Footwear spectacular lunchtime view of Mt. Journey to the headwaters of the Special thanks to Willamette Week Hood’s northeast face. Molalla River and explore the unique basalt formations of the Table Rock

Wilderness. www . or e gonw i l d. org register at  steve kingsford-smith www.oregonwild.org register at 

 www . or e gonw i l d. org Saturday, July 16 Monday, August 15 Opal Creek Ancient Forest Mirror Lake Leader: Sean Stevens Leader: Wendell Wood

r e g i st at (Moderate, 5-7 miles, elevation gain (Easy – Moderate, 3.5 miles, elevation minimal, , gain 800 feet, Mount Hood National Willamette National Forest) Forest) A walk back in time to an ancient Hike to scenic Mirror Lake for views Oregon forest in one of the state’s of intricate wildflowers and the grand signature Wilderness areas. vista of Mount Hood. Sunday, July 17 gary guttormsen Saturday, August 20 Grasshopper Meadow & Fuji Mountain via Birthday Lake Constitution Old-Growth Grove Saturday, July 23 Sunday, July 31 Basin Leader: Chandra LeGue Boulder Lake Elk Meadows/Bluegrass Ridge Leader: Chandra LeGue (Moderate, 4.0 miles, elevation gain 100 Leader: Erik Fernandez Leader: Sean Stevens (Strenuous, 11 miles, elevation gain feet, Willamette National Forest) (Moderate, 5.0 miles, elevation gain (Moderate, 7.0 miles, elevation gain 2,200 feet, Willamette National Forest) Enjoy one of the largest, most scenic, 1,100 feet, Mount Hood National 1,200 feet, Mount Hood National Forest) Summit Fuji Mountain, on the south and least visited of the high elevation Forest) Head up to explore wildflowers at end of pristine Waldo Lake via the meadows in the with a side Discover the aquamarine waters of Mount Hood’s largest meadow with a longer, and more beautiful route that trip to an old-growth loop. one of the Mount Hood National detour to look out over proposed takes in two lovely lakes and stunning Forest’s best-kept secrets! Wilderness at Bluegrass Ridge. high-elevation forest. Saturday, August 13 Bald Mountain Leader: Wendell Wood (Moderate – Strenuous, 4.5 miles, elevation gain 1,000 feet, Mount Hood National Forest) Summer wildflowers make this hike a memorable one as you walk along the famed Pacific Crest Trail to a viewpoint of Mount Hood.

stephanie ames Oregon Wild welcomes our newest members who joined April 2010 – April 2011. Welcome New Members Thank you for helping to protect Oregon!

Jules Abbott Andrea Cohen Susan Hay Victoria Lamas Eva Miller Cindy Adams David Collins Monica Look and Peter Eric Lambart Dr. J. Robert Moore Kirby and Amy Allen Randy Comeleo Hazell Eric Lambart Linda Moore Kurth and R. Sharyl Allender Lloyd Connelly Gillian Hearst Joan Lamontagne Les Moore Marilyn Aller Sharin Cooper Jeanine Hemel Karen Lamson Carol Moorehead Brenda Amick Stacy Cornish Franca Hernandez Gwendoline Lander Frank Morell Andreas Anderson Wendy Culverwell Dr. Mary E. Herrera Steve Lanusse-Siegel Kimberly Morrison D.C. Anderson David Garlock and Megan Jean Ellen Herzegl Lynda Lanzarotta Lois K. Moss Kelly Anderson Cusack Katie Hick William L. Lasswell Kristen Mozuch Joan and Paul Ash Terry Dalsemer Ashley Hildreth Kitty Lawrence Arlene Murdock Jared Austin Chelsea De Mercado Daniel Hockett Katy Lawson Sally Mylrea Julie Bailey Eric DeBord Jamie Hoerter Joy and Lucas Lberhardt De Fred Neal Florence Bajaj Drew DeMan Steve Holmer Master Seth Newton Patel Mary Balliew Heather Dennett Jason Holt Paul Lee Rebecca Nore Julia Barber Michael Dennis Helen and Michael Hortsch Brit LeMay David Oaks Kate and Jeff Barrett Kathryn Donaldson John K. Howe Michael Levick Bryan O’Connor Tom Beaman James A. Dorenkamp Filip Hristic John Lewis Karen Olch Nancy Beck Harris Dubin Linda Humphrey Eric J. Leworson Todd Ourston Kip Beckwith Lynnette Dumont Diana and James Hunter Meredith Lind Kyu Park Charlotte Behm Charles Ellis Amber Jackson Del Linenberger Irene Parks Geri Berg Jody Ellis Allyson M. Jameson Mona L. Linstromberg Charles Pattom Paige Berry Elizabeth Erwin JoAnn Jennings Ann Liu Winnogene Pedersen John and Cristi Bishop Aimee L. Fahey Scott Jerger Lori Livingston Ron Penn Serena Bishop Laura Farner Jane A. Johnson Laura Long Karen Perry Jerry Black Penny Foster Jenny Jones Tammy Lord Rachael Petersen Tonya Booker Laurie A. Fox Alexander Kaini David Ludeman Brennan Peterson Justin Boucher Julie Frantz Rebecca Karlson Nicholas Macdonald Charlotte Peterson C. Alva Bradford Ronald Fridell Alison Kastner Oscar Mayer Ruthie Petty John Brennan Jane Gage Dennis E. Kasunic Merry McAdoo Kenneth Popper Amanda Briles Rachel Gans Kaz Kasunic Mary McConnell Jennifer and Eric Post Diana Brown Diane M. Garcia Denise Kayser Tyler McFadden Karla Powell Fiona Reah Rickford Laura Schmidt Sarah Brown Barbara Gardner Nathan Kennedy Patricia McManus Sidney Prescott Michael Roth Charles L. Schnautz Mariesa Bus John Gauthier Patricia Kiley Laurie McVay Michael Purach Terri Rottman Virginia Scott Gavin Bushee Sally Gillette Leslie King Margaret Meadors Jason Quigley Toni Rubin Gigi Senecal Chris Butenhoff Brian Griffin Jasmine Kipp Duane and Betty Meissner Eric Ratcliffe Janine Rush David M. Shackleton Jennifer Cairo Cathy Gumtow-Farrior Lynn Klingensmith Rebecca Mendez Melinda Rauch Shirley Russell Scott Shlaes Michael Chapman Benjamin Hamar Helen Knight Nancy Menken Ray Redburn Katy Ryan Lee Silverman Lee Chew Mary Hansel Mark Koenigsberg Barbara A. Mickey Pavel Reich Lauren Rykert Ben Simonton Alan Chewning Jody Harper Ruth Kovacs PC Mickiewicz Benjamin Rhiger Dan Sadowsky Carrie Simpson Adrienne Christian Maury Harris Kristina Leamy and Adam Paul Milbourn Deborah Richie Dianna Sarto Rick Skibinski Matthew Cleinman Thomas Harvey Lamas David Miller Jean Richmond Brenna Schaetzle Andre Smith Susan Schlosser Juliana Smith

Spring/Summer 2011 Volume 38, Number 2 10 Where in Oregon “??? ” For Oregonians yet to come New member challenge Julie and Curt have generously A message from Oregon Wild members Julie and Curt Stevens: agreed to donate up to $5,000 if we can match that amount with new As newlyweds relocating from Los distance, we long for and appreciate member contributions. Angeles to Portland in 1976, we did the unique natural settings that have so intending to raise a family and been so central to the richest Do you know of a friend or family spend our free time exploring the moments of our family life. We member who loves to explore , the Cascades, the remain passionate about protecting Oregon’s wilderness? Encourage Columbia Gorge, and the high desert Oregon for future generations, them to become a member of of Eastern Oregon. The forests, rivers, among whom will be our Oregon Wild. There isn’t a group out lakes, and mountains of Oregon grandchildren! there that’s done more to protect the provided the extraordinary landscape Just as we can’t imagine a life lived places where we all love to hike, in which our three kids grew up – as without wild and wonderful places camp, and go fishing. we hiked, backpacked, rafted, and to share with those we love, we hope skied our way through their you can’t imagine these places Pass on the envelope in this childhood and adolescence. without protection for Oregonians newsletter or send a potential new In each issue of Oregon correctly identify Our children are adults, and another yet to come. We invite you to help member to www.oregonwild.org/ Wild, we showcase a Hurricane Creek in the relocation has taken us away from the protect Oregon – with an Oregon NewMemberChallenge and help us photo of a wild place with . state we consider our home. From a Wild membership. reach our $5,000 goal! someone displaying our Congratulations Sandi! newsletter. If you’re the first person to correctly For a hint in solving this guess the location of this issue’s photo, take a look issue’s photo, we’ll send at the Press Room on Sally Smith Robert Sullivan Yael Webber Floyd Wooton you a copy of William www.oregonwild.org and Tamara J. Smith Katie Talmadge Brian Weber Carol J. Wrolstad search for mining news. Sidney Snider Donna Thomas Jason Weinstein Linda Yates Sullivan’s Atlas of Oregon Brett Sommermeyer Michael J. Timmond Robert Wendel Judi Younce Wilderness. Send your guess or Dawn Sorem Pat Tippett Jenny Wetzold Art Young submit your own “Where Adria Sparhawk Beverly Trover Morgan Whalen Benjamin Zumeta Last issue’s “Where in in Oregon” photo for next Margaret Stephens Ronald Turco David White Oregon” was a tricky issue to newsletter@ Alexandra Stern Jan Vanderspek Robin Wilcox Every effort has been made to ensure that one, but Sandi Smith of oregonwild.org and you Henry Stern Susan Vandewater Lucas Willett this list is accurate. If you have any membership@ Gresham was able to could win too. Stacy Stickel Sara Vliet Cindi Wittenderg questions, please e-mail Jeffery Still John Vos Susan and Brian Wong oregonwild.org David Stowe Karin E. Wagner Tod Woolridge

11 Spring/Summer 2011 Volume 38, Number 2 Creature Feature: Great Gray Owl Settlement protects rare wildlife Wendell Wood, Wildlands Interpreter Doug Heiken, Conservation and Restoration Coordinator

oon after taking office in arguments that the program was Unique characteristics: Great Gray Owls do not 2001, the Bush unimportant and the adverse build their own nest, or even add material to an Sadministration signed off on a effects of logging without surveys existing one. Instead their nesting is contingent backroom settlement with the were adequately documented in upon the availability of suitable nest platforms. timber industry. The goal: the Environmental Impact These include old-growth snags, or trees dismantling the Northwest Statement. supporting stick platforms, such as old raptor nests, Forest Plan. For eight years, or a broom in a tree created by a mistletoe administration officials took their In the court’s most recent ruling infection. Great Grays use old goshawk nests more swings at delisting the northern in December 2009, the judge than any other type of platform. While Great spotted owl and marbled agreed with conservationists that Grays will readily accept man made nesting murrelet. They adopted the the decision of the Forest Service platforms, studies show areas most used for nesting Western Oregon Plan Revision and BLM to eliminate protection are unlogged and contained mature or old-growth (WOPR) to increase logging of for rare species was illegal. The trees. old-growth forests, and judge asked the parties to try to settle the case by agreeing to a In focus: Already listed as endangered in eliminated certain aspects of the survey program that works. since 1980, the Great Gray Owl in Oregon is a Northwest Forest Plan such as rob klavins Oregon Wild, our allies, and the state sensitive species. Both federal and state the “survey and manage” protocol government spent several days in agencies acknowledge that habitat loss through which requires searching for and Creature: face-to-face meetings over a Great Gray Owl logging of mature forests and overgrazing of protecting rare species before period of months. In March 2011 (Strix nebulosa) adjacent meadows has been the primary cause of logging their old-growth habitat. we filed a settlement with the Where you can find it: the species’ decline. For this reason, the Great Gray Great Gray Owls are The Bush administration actually court and are awaiting approval. is given special focus in the Survey and Manage commonly found in coniferous forest landscapes made two attempts to eliminate We hope the settlement gives the protocol of the Northwest Forest Plan (see related interspersed with grasslands and meadows. Here the survey and manage program, agencies plenty of options for article). they feed on voles, mice and pocket gophers. In and on both occasions ended up streamlined forest restoration, Oregon, there are two primary regions of While biologists have found that smaller clear-cuts in federal court. Both times, the while maintaining strict distribution: in the Wallowa and Blue Mountains administration was rebuffed as protection for rare species when of northeastern Oregon and along the central and are used by owls for foraging, these are still not used as often as natural openings. Additionally, judges rejected their stale they want to log large and old southern east slope of the Cascades and then east trees. to western Lake County. These owls are also found, logging decreases the quality of nesting habitat. These owls not only take advantage of large tree but more rarely, west of the Cascade crest in usfws In his ruling supporting the southern Oregon. nesting sites, but also dead and downed material S urvey and Manage program, presiding and leaning trees so that young owls can climb Judge John Coughenour called the By the numbers: In size, but not in weight, the program vital to the protection of “the them to avoid mammalian predators. Additionally, little things that run the world.” P i c t u r e d Great Gray is North America’s largest owl – with a dense stands of trees near nest trees provide critical here is a vital food source for northern wing span up to 60 inches. cover for young owls. spotted owls, the red tree vole.

Spring/Summer 2011 Volume 38, Number 2 12 Who’s piloting the pilots Solutions for a sticky problem – Doug Heiken, Conservation and Restoration Coordinator western Oregon BLM lands Chandra LeGue, Old-Growth Campaign Coordinator

The 2.5 million acres of BLM lands in western habitat Oregon – made famous in recent years by damaged in the chandra le gue A patchwork the battle over the Western Oregon Plan past. With of private land clear-cuts and Revision (WOPR) logging scheme – provide federal budgets O&C forests in the Long Tom Doug Heiken Forest stakeholders gather at a field tour on BLM lands. Current “Secretarial Pilot Projects” are watershed. using less of a collaborative approach than conservationists would hope for. important resources for Oregonians. This tightening and includes recreation, climate mitigation, drinking county water, fish and wildlife habitat, to name a few. payments harder to fund, old-guard timber ince the Obama administration withdrew goal of timber production from commercial interests are pushing for an increase in the Bush administration Western Oregon logging. Logging on these lands has historically been unsustainable logging. PlanS Revision (WOPR) – a proposal to linked to funding for western Oregon increase old-growth logging – many have been Oregon Wild has worked with the BLM for counties, but these were de-coupled 10 years A long-term solution for these lands needs to years to develop less controversial projects that ago with the passage and reauthorization of solve both county funding and incentivize under the false impression that the BLM is the Secure Rural Schools Act (commonly sustainable forest management that protects operating in a policy vacuum. In reality, the thin dense, young forests while producing timber, creating jobs, and improving forest known as “county payments”). This has old-growth resources. Here are a few BLM simply returned to the Northwest Forest largely led to a shift in the BLM’s management proposed options and what Oregon Wild Plan – the only legally approved plan for resiliency. Unfortunately, the recent pilots are away from old-growth logging and towards thinks. For more in-depth info on this managing northwest forests. advancing prematurely into new and forest and watershed restoration efforts that complicated issue on our website: www. controversial territory, including “regeneration provide timber and improve fish and wildlife oregonwild.org/oregon_forests Still, to fill the alleged void, Secretary of the harvest” (aka: clear-cuts) and logging spotted Interior Ken Salazar has held two large owl habitat to “save” it from fire or beetles Proposed funding solution Oregon Wild’s perspective post-WOPR meetings, one in Roseburg and (whether or not that is actually supported by one in Washington, D.C. The Department of the evidence). In light of these concerns, Reauthorize Secure Rural Schools Oregon’s delegation is supportive, but in the current Interior has also initiated up to three Oregon Wild continues to advocate for Act to continue county funding Congressional budget climate, this will be difficult and “Secretarial Pilot Projects” to test new forestry science-based forest protection and restoration, from the federal government. long-term extensions into the future are unlikely. concepts on BLM lands. with wood volume as a by-product of valid Recouple timber profits to county Gives bad incentive to log old growth to fund essential restoration efforts. These pilot projects were originally described funding. county services. as collaborative and restoration driven, but as While news of potentially controversial pilot Reform Secure Rural Schools and This is an untried approach with many variables. Ideas they progress toward implementation, Oregon projects sounds troubling, it pales in other federal funding for counties. include altering funding formulas to include new Wild is concerned that comparison to the March 2010 Washington, variables like ecosystem services. the collaborative D.C. court ruling on the old WOPR. The Sell off of lands to fund counties. One proposal would sell off 1.2 million acres of public component of the ruling disapproves of the method used by the forest lands to be logged or developed. These sales would process has taken a Department of Interior to withdraw the help fund county services, but sacrifice clean water and back seat. Instead, the WOPR, thus throwing that decision into wildlife. Oregon Wild’s Doug Heiken Department seems question and raising the specter of another Transfer ownership of BLM Would provide cost-savings by reducing bureaucracy and is joined by Joseph Vaile committed to swift “compromise” much worse than the forestlands to the U.S. Forest would likely provide greater protections for forestlands, of KS Wild in Washington, D.C. to meet with Secretary action toward their real aforementioned pilots. Service. given BLM’s history of poor management. of the Interior Ken Salazar.

13 Spring/Summer 2011 Volume 38, Number 2 USFS With a bear and salmon in attendance to observe the proceedings, the Forest Service the White Mountains in New forests, and unique recreational pitched their new draft planning rules. No public comment was collected at the meeting. Hampshire. Conservationists had opportunities from the Rogue River high hopes. to the Eagle Cap Wilderness.

Despite great promise, the rules fail Despite the obscurity of the March to deliver. They fail to provide clear, meeting, over 150 people – joined by a basic, minimum standards for the bear and salmon – told the protection of wildlife, wildlands, and administration they don’t take those water while reducing opportunities values for granted and expect better. for public involvement and the role Some travelled for several hours. Most of science. left disappointed and unheard.

Over 100 years ago, Teddy Roosevelt We’re working with partners across created our National Forests to the country to make sure that the protect our greatest natural treasures public is heard and the forest rule from greedy, short-term, provincial finishes strong. Learn more atwww. interests. Thanks to that vision, oregonwild.org/nfma Oregonians can still enjoy clean water, abundant wildlife, majestic “We want to hear from you!” “...But not here, not now, and not by e-mail” Rob Klavins, Wildlands Advocate

On a Friday morning in March a process. In a few months, they might conservation legacy of the current group of Oregonians skipped work. hear back. one. Bleary-eyed, they filled their coffee cups and settled in for a PowerPoint It wasn’t a sales pitch for a time share You’d think an administration presentation at a bland Portland in Cabo or a pyramid scheme, but a headed by a former community Airport hotel. As the attendees public meeting to sell an overhaul of organizer could do better. A cynic listened to a 3 ½-hour sales pitch, the rules that will determine the future might think they didn’t want to. representative assured them that their of our National Forests for decades concerns were very important. When to come. The inconvenient and National Forest Management Act difficult questions were raised, they awkward meeting was Oregon’s only (NFMA) rules determine how to were instructed (without a touch of public hearing for rules last updated balance competing interests in irony) to go home, write them down, by the Reagan Administration – National Forests from Mount and submit them through an obscure rules that may be the most lasting Hood and Deschutes in Oregon to file photo A silenced salmon at the NFMA meeting.

Spring/Summer 2011 Volume 38, Number 2 14 Keeping it wild Get your Volunteer on! Featuring the supporters, foundations, businesses, and volunteers that make our work possible. This issue’s focus: Volunteers Summer 2011 Denise Kayser, Outreach Associate Oregon Wild

Oregon Wild: Community that allows for direct work in the events, including our 2010 Photo What is your field, volunteering is a way that I Contest Celebration!] favorite place in Oregon and Outreach Events can still be involved. And being Oregon Wild: why? connected with a smaller Why do you think Adria: That is such a tough Mississippi Street Fair organization allows me some it is important to support question because there are so Saturday, July 9, 2011 first hand access to the inner Oregon Wild? 10 am to 9 pm Adria: many magical places in Oregon workings of a very productive Oregon Wild is doing and I have lots of favorites. The great things but they can’t Alberta Street Fair group. Columbia Gorge while the Saturday, August 13, 2011 continue their very important Oregon Wild: fritillary are blooming, Bandon 11 am to 7 pm Was there an aspect work without support. Wild Beach when a particularly nasty of our mission that motivated lands and animals can’t speak for storm has driven off everyone Eugene Celebration adria sparhawk you to want to volunteer? themselves but they have a voice else and I have the entire place August 26-28, 2011 Adria: Environmental advocacy with Oregon Wild and we can to myself, or August in the deep Muddy Boot Organic Festival Name: Adria Sparhawk can mean many things. We can all be a part of it. pools, thick moss, and September 9-11, 2011 Age: 40 recycle, commute, vote for maidenhair of Opal Creek are at Location: Portland Oregon Wild: legislation, etc. For me, the heart Which Oregon the top of my list. Membership Level: Individual of environmental awareness is Wild campaign(s) most interests Joined: 10/22/10 the knowledge that preserving you and why? Oregon Wild: Adria: Why do you choose true wild space has a real and The Northwest Old to live in Oregon? Never doubt that a small group of tangible value for all of us. I Growth Forest Protection Adria: Where else in the world committed people can change the think that is the essence of what Campaign is near and dear to can you find beaches, volcanoes, world. Indeed, it is the only thing Oregon Wild is working toward. my heart. Living 40 years high deserts, prehistoric lava that ever has. trekking through the wilds of Oregon Wild: flows, alpine meadows, ancient — Margaret Mead What Oregon the Pacific Northwest I have old growth forest, sage country, Wild events have you been seen a lot of change in our Oregon Wild: raging rivers...and so much Why did you involved in? forests and there is so little old Adria: more? And I get to live right in choose to become a volunteer The Annual Photo Contest, growth left. Once it is gone - it the middle of all this beauty in a with Oregon Wild? Better Living Show, guided is gone. We just cannot afford to Adria Sparhawk: city with progressive politics, Volunteering and Training I have wanted hikes, and Wild Wednesday view our forest land solely as a fantastic restaurants, a thriving To learn more about volunteering and to take a greater role in pushing events. [Editor’s note: Adria owns commodity. art community, world class music, upcoming volunteer trainings with environmental awareness and her own business – Lavish Flora. and salt of the earth people. Also, Oregon Wild please contact Denise Kayser at [email protected]. legislation forward. Since I don’t She provides inspired floral designs we have really good beer. have a background or education for Portland area weddings and

15 Spring/Summer 2011 Volume 38, Number 2 NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID Portland, OR 5825 N. Greeley Ave. Permit No. 1694 Portland, OR 97217

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Printed on recycled paper with soy based ink. The contestisopen toamateursand All submissionsduebySeptember 15,2011 After hundredsofcontestants, 2011 Oregon Wild Wild Oregon 2011 Outdoor PhotoContestisback forits seventh thousands ofsubmissions,and dozens of prizesgivenaway,theOregon Wild professionals alike(don’t worryallyou Outdoor Pho to Cones – andbiggest – yeartodate. than thepros!)andweevenhave a categories: Wildlands,Wildlife, Waters, category especiallyforyouth. So grab and EndangeredPlaces of thewinningimage inourfourmain your cameraandgetoutside in search novices; amateurshavewonmore often – thisyear See contestrulesandsubmit your featuring thestunninganddiverse photo photos atwww.oregonwild.org/ Klamath Riverwatershed. - contest Thanks to our sponsor to our Thanks st e v e spha ll