Oregon Wild Fall 2011 Volume 38, Number 3

Keeping public lands in public hands

1 Fall 2011 Volume 38, Number 3 Formerly 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 Keeping public lands in public hands {4-7} The e-mail address for each Oregon Wild Conservation & Restoration Coord. Doug Heiken x 1 staff member: [email protected] Old Growth Campaign Coordinator Chandra LeGue x 2 The legacy of Dinah-Mo Peak {8-9} (for example: [email protected]) Wilderness Coordinator Erik Fernandez x 202 Eastern Field Office A special match {15} 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 chover p oto: john waller Public lands are enjoyed by many and provide ecological benefits Conservation Director Steve Pedery x 212 we can’t get anywhere else. So why are they always at risk? 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 Brett Sommermeyer Megan Gibb, Treasurer Pat Clancy William Sullivan Daniel Robertson, Secretary Shawn Donnille Jan Wilson

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

Fall 2011 Volume 38, Number 3 2 From the Director’s Desk The long haul Scott Shlaes

Protracted and patient effort is When you see the news, or talk with a gratification; the steady cycles of the needed to develop good character. family member, friend or neighbor, you season, the migratory journey, and the know that we live in uncertain and return of natural balance to our forests -Heraclitus sometimes scary times. Now more than require the long and patient view. ever it is important to find good in our Oregon Wild’s work is one of protracted world. And to find people doing good We have been here before; in a time and effort. For 37 years we have fought for and work and embrace their efforts. When you place where some find it convenient to celebrated this special place. Over time, are intentional about seeking out the disregard the value of our lands, water, cover photo: john waller Public lands are enjoyed by many and provide ecological benefits we’ve protected 1.7 million acres of values that define you, do not be surprised and wildlife in the name of economic we can’t get anywhere else. So why are they always at risk? Read more on page 4. Wilderness, 1,900 miles of Wild & Scenic when you begin to see them enacted pressure. Together we will continue to rivers, the oldest and most pristine forests, everywhere. oppose this shortsighted view and speak and the magnificent wildlife that call out on behalf of the special places that these places home. However, we have As you read our latest report to you, we we love. more to do. hope you will see Oregon Wild’s work as an extension of your values. Thank you for your financial support and In a world of instant response, this work your engagement with our work. You are stands out. It requires enduring patience, You’ll see that we continue to advocate for a critical partner in our efforts to keep sound strategy, and the support and preservation of bedrock environmental Oregon a special place to live, work, and efforts of thousands of people like you. laws like the Clean Water Act and Clean raise a family. Our work would not be possible without Air Act. You’ll see others like yourself that your personal connections to the natural have committed their time to For the wild, world, or your value system that sees conservation advocacy and how our state beyond the immediate and recognizes the benefits from their efforts. You’ll see that importance of a natural environment that in spite of societal trends urging instant sustains, teaches, and inspires us.

ju stin krug Orange Peak Falls 3 Fall 2011 Volume 38, Number 3 Keeping public lands in public hands The O&C lands and the end of county payments Steve Pedery, Conservation Director

ost Americans hear the word number of politicians are opposing has led some county leaders – and Oregon have few options to fall back from the Clean Water Act to the “public lands” and think of our the very concept of public lands. even Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) – on, but have done little to prepare. A “Wilderness and Roadless Area Mnational parks, forests, and grasslands to begin advocating for the perfect storm is brewing over county Release Act of 2011” proposed by Rep. – special places where we can still The political and economic climate privatization of public lands as a funding, which could mean huge cuts Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). find wild rivers, abundant wildlife, – particularly in Oregon – is putting scheme to raise money. in county services, from law additional pressure on our public The roadless release act would and opportunities to enjoy hiking, County payments expire enforcement to road maintenance. camping, and fishing. However, for lands. County governments in County leaders are desperate for eliminate the 2001 Roadless Area western Oregon, specifically the Conservation Rule, and put nearly 60 decades the term “public lands” was The Secure Rural Schools program, money, and some have begun to also synonymous with cheap places so-called “O&C Counties”, are advocate for a return to million acres of pristine National facing massive budget shortfalls in which provides tens of millions of Forest lands on the chopping block. It to log, mine, drill, or graze livestock. dollars in federal funding to rural environmentally destructive logging on And today, a small but increasing the coming years. With little prospect public lands as a means to generate would also eliminate Wilderness of a bailout from U.S. taxpayers, this county governments, was enacted Study Area protection for tens of back in 2000 as a temporary offset revenue (even though demand for timber in the U.S. is at an all-time low). millions of acres of Bureau of Land Darryl Lloyd Since the early 20th century, Americans have found solitude and for the reduction in logging – much Management (BLM) lands, opening wonder in their public lands. of it old-growth logging – on federal Some, including the Association of them up to mining, oil and gas public lands. The lion’s share of this O&C Counties (AOCC), have begun drilling, and livestock grazing. money goes to 18 counties in Oregon advocating for the sale or lease of with a historic link to the Oregon & publicly-owned land to private timber At a recent Congressional hearing on Railroad lands that spread operations. Though the lands belong the proposal, Rep. McCarthy, the like a checkerboard across the to all Americans, they argue that the third-ranking House Republican western part of the state. The dollars revenue generated should go directly leader, defended his plan. “Millions of these counties have grown to western Oregon counties. acres of land across the United States accustomed to receiving from U.S. are being held under lock and key taxpayers are staggering (in 2006 A storm in Congress unnecessarily,” he said. alone, Douglas County received $51,897,828). In the last issue of Oregon Wild, we Bruce Babbitt, who served as U.S. reported on the explosion of anti- Secretary of the Interior under The recent Congressional battle over environmental riders in the U.S. then-President Clinton, also testified the debt ceiling put an exclamation House of Representatives. New at the hearing. He described the bill as point on this problem. Secure Rural proposals have continued to spring up “…the most radical, overreaching Schools funding expires in 2012, and over the course of the summer, attempt to dismantle the architecture it is highly unlikely Congress will ranging from Sen. Ron Wyden’s of our public land laws that has been extend it. Affected counties in western (D-OR) plan to exempt logging roads proposed in my lifetime.”

Fall 2011 Volume 38, Number 3 4 “We have become great because of the lavish use of our resources. that as much as 75% of the land sales But the time has come to inquire seriously what will happen when our had violated federal law. Then- forests are gone, when the coal, the iron, the oil, and the gas are President Theodore Roosevelt exhausted, when the soils have still further impoverished and washed intervened, proclaiming his intent to into the streams, polluting the rivers, denuding the fields and obstructing “clean up the O&C land fraud mess, navigation.” –Theodore Roosevelt once and for all!” Over 1,000 Oregon politicians, businessmen, and railroad grazing interests, as well as many south to the California border. executives were indicted. politicians from western States. This Oregon then gave the land to a dynamic is still reflected in Congress railroad company, purportedly to sell The O&C lands went back into today. to settlers in order to cover the costs federal ownership, to be managed for the public by the Bureau of Land Oregon’s public lands of railroad construction. But the real plan was very different. The company Management. In 1937, Congress passed the O&C Act, a law directing Oregon’s business leaders and – the Oregon & California Railroad that the lands be managed for a mix politicians have long had a love-hate – instead sold off the forests to the of timber production, clean water, relationship with public lands. highest bidder. and other values – including funding Though Crater Lake National Park is K ristian Skyback Industrial forests in Oregon usually end up looking like this These shady dealings resulted in a for county governments. Subsequent one of the most beloved places in Coast Range tract. Public lands deserve a far better fate. huge political scandal. A 1904 report laws, such as the Clean Water Act Oregon today, in the late 1800s early by newspaper found and Endangered Species Act, put an conservation voices like William America’s public lands legacy take root in America. Early advocates Gladstone Steel and Judge John like John Muir argued that too much Waldo had to do battle with logging, This isn’t the first time a handful of of our natural heritage was being irrigation, and development interests politicians, backed by big money destroyed by development and that in order to save it. When Teddy from logging, mining, oil, and more should be done – particularly Roosevelt signed the legislation that livestock interests, have tried to on public lands – to preserve wild authorized the park in 1902, the liquidate America’s public lands. In places. Teddy Roosevelt, together action was strongly opposed by many the late 1800s through the 1920s, the with allies like Gifford Pinchot, Oregon politicians. federal government sold off (often at would later put those beliefs into rock bottom prices) – or gave away practice. Roosevelt pushed the 1906 Perhaps the most sordid chapter in – tens of millions of acres of this Antiquities Act through Congress Oregon’s public lands history is that publicly-owned land to spur (and used it to protect 18 National of the so-called “O&C Lands.” settlement of the western States. Monuments), established America’s Shortly after the Civil War, Congress Some of this land went to individual National Forest system, and began offering land grants from citizens, but much of it ended up in safeguarded dozens of areas as federal public land to assist in rail the hands of railroads, logging National Wildlife Refuges and and wagon road construction in the companies, livestock interests, and National Parks. West. In 1866, the State of Oregon other large business interests. received a huge grant including every Roosevelt’s efforts were often bitterly other square mile in a 40-mile swath NPS The great conservationist president Teddy Roosevelt (seen here with John Muir), laid By the beginning of the 20th century, opposed by logging, mining, and of land stretching from Portland out the foundation for America’s public lands protection system over 100 years ago. the notion of conservation began to

5 Fall 2011 Volume 38, Number 3 even greater emphasis on protecting would lead to a crazy-quilt of The DeFazio “trust” plan has a number the environment. The O&C Counties management boundaries. It would of major problems. First, in order to Approximated Public Lands – the 18 Western Oregon counties also fragment large roadless areas, raise hundreds of millions of dollars Proposed for Logging by who received revenue from timber such as the Wild Rogue, putting needed to finance buying the lease, the sales on the O&C lands – were given Wilderness-quality lands at risk. It entity operating the “trust” would have AOCC special consideration under Secure also fails to recognize existing to borrow from banks, investment Rural Schools legislation when it protected areas, such as critical funds, and other sources. These One proposal from the Association of O&C Counties would allow passed in 2000. Oregon receives the habitat for coho salmon and spotted investors would almost certainly want industrial logging across a wide swath of western Oregon. largest portion of Secure Rural owls or Areas of Critical a quick repayment of their loan – likely Schools money, and the 18 O&C Environmental Concern. Finally, the no longer than 10 years, and possibly counties receive most of that funding. kind of industrial logging operations as short as five. This would likely mean Clear-cuts for kids? proposed on the timber emphasis liquidating the trees on the “trust” lands would never pass muster under lands in short order, with few The looming funding crisis has the Clean Water Act or Endangered environmental safeguards. Though the Western Oregon county governments Species Act, and would likely lead to lease would ultimately expire and the – and politicians – increasingly even greater problems for salmon and lands would return to public desperate for new sources of money. other wildlife. ownership, after decades of industrial Some have turned to an old favorite ‘Trust’ us logging it is unlikely they would as a solution – liquidating the O&C provide much in the way of clean Lands. At least three proposals have Rep. DeFazio has recently proposed a water, salmon habitat, or recreational been floated, and all of them would “trust” plan for the O&C lands. values. be a giant step backwards for Though the exact details of his Oregon’s public lands, and the fish, proposal are fuzzy, he has given a wildlife, and clean water they sustain. general outline. Under his proposal, Splitting the baby certain areas of the O&C lands would be set aside for protection. A Oregon’s elected Several interest groups, including the large portion would be set aside as a leaders – AOCC, have proposed splitting the “timber trust”, modeled on state trust O&C lands. A portion of the lands lands in Washington, then leased to a making the grade? private entity to be managed for (generally, those lands with trees over Congress keeps churning out bad timber production. The revenue 110 years old) would be set aside in a ideas in its 112th session. Some of generated by the leasing of these quasi-protected status. The rest of the the bad ideas are even thought up lands, as well as a portion of the O&C lands would be put into a by our very own elected officials. timber revenues from logging them, dedicated timber production status, Whether with their votes or the bills would go to county governments. By with the revenues directed to county they introduced, here’s how pursuing the private “trust” model, governments. Oregon’s politicians stack up on DeFazio’s plan would exempt the the environment. This proposal has a number of lands from the Clean Water Act and problems. First, simply dividing the Endangered Species Act. lands by the age of the trees on them

Fall 2011 Volume 38, Number 3 6 Privatize it land in Oregon, belong to all of us, Fund would save taxpayers money, could put severe pressure on our Take Action! and should be managed to preserve generate good-paying jobs for rural public lands. While some of Recently, the AOCC unveiled a new clean water, wildlife, and recreational communities, and protect and Oregon’s elected officials remain Oregon Wild is strongly committed proposal, similar to DeFazio’s “trust” opportunities – not privatized and improve environmental values in our strong advocates for conservation, to keeping Oregon’s public lands in concept. Their plan is more clear-cut. Oregon Wild has begun to forests. others, like Rep. DeFazio and Sen. public hands – just as we have aggressive, however, and calls for few advocate a concept we call the Wyden, have begun to waver. been since our founding in 1974. areas to be set aside for protection. In Oregon Schools and Forest Recognizing that the SAFE Fund We will oppose any plan to addition, the new AOCC plan would Enhancement Fund, or SAFE Fund. would eliminate the O&C Act, a key And their wavering could not come privatize large tracts of Oregon remove the “trust” lands from public component of the proposal would be at a worse time. Anti-environmental public lands. But our ability to stop management entirely, instead Our plan would transfer the O&C an endowment, created by Congress, riders, and extreme legislation like these proposals hinges on the managing them just as private lands lands from the BLM to the Forest to provide a transition fund to Rep. McCarthy’s Wilderness and support of members like you. If you are managed in Oregon. If you have Service, eliminating potentially tens western Oregon counties. Unlike the Roadless Area Release Act, stand a value clean water, wildlife, and ever taken a drive through the of millions of dollars in wasteful current Secure Rural Schools real chance of passing in the crazy opportunities for outdoor recreation, Range and seen the bureaucracy and duplication between funding, SAFE would have a certain political climate currently gripping please take a few moments to call clear-cuts ravaging private lands, you the two agencies. The SAFE Fund end date and would be tied to Washington, D.C. Misguided Senators Wyden and Merkley, as have a pretty good idea of what this would set aside high quality habitat reforms in county government. proposals like Rep. DeFazio’s “trust” well as your Representative, and tell plan would look like. on these lands, and focus their future What comes next? plan could be seized upon by them you oppose any plan to A better way management on environmental corporate interests and used as a privatize public lands in Oregon. restoration. Some timber production Between the lingering recession, model to open up public lands across You can call the capital would still occur, but it would be in the country to environmentally Oregon Wild strongly opposes all county funding woes, and extreme switchboard at 202.224.3121, or the form of restoration-thinning in destructive development. three of these concepts. The O&C anti-environmental politicians in look up their local offices at www. stands that have already been lands, just like other publicly-owned Washington, the next few years congress.org damaged by logging. The SAFE

Sen. Jeff Merkley Sen. Ron Wyden Rep. Earl Blumenauer Rep. Peter DeFazio Rep. Kurt Schrader Rep. Greg Walden Rep. David Wu

WhileC+ he voted for FavoringD industry VotedA against ProposedD- to ContinuesD to push AF member of the WhileB his political the wolf-killing over drinking the rider that split BLM Molalla River Republican life was falling budget, he water and removed wolves forests in half, protections but leadership team apart, he continues to push salmon, he from the ESA calling for a voted to strip EPA in the House continued to back against sponsored a and continues to million acres to of global warming pushing vote for the anti-environment proposals recently be a vocal opponent of be heavily logged by regulatory authority and unprecedented attacks on environment by rejecting in the Senate and introduced bill (S1369) that extreme schemes to industry as part of leased came out on the side of the environment. Co- the rider-stuffed budget bill. conservationists have would undermine the Clean undermine environmental “trust” lands. Voted for the timber industry in sponsored the wolf-killing hopes he’ll stand up to the Water Act. Still supporting laws. He is the rare wolf-killing budget bill. opposing a strong forest budget bill. Dirty Logging Roads (see slow-to-move Wilderness politician whose actions Avoids lower grade with planning rule. above) bill when the time bills in the Senate. match his rhetoric. support of Devil’s Staircase comes. Wilderness and his stand against Wildlife Services.

7 Fall 2011 Volume 38, Number 3 The legacy of Dinah-Mo Peak Jonathan Jelen, Development Coordinator

traffic accident in 1983, activists at Dinah’s sister Janet Danforth, a long Oregon Wild (then ONRC), and time Oregon Wild supporter and a across the state sought a fitting tribute monthly Evergreen Society member to honor this spirited advocate for the recently emailed us to say: environment. “I will always be grateful for the The idea was formed to give her name work that your organization did for to an anonymous peak in the Mount her, grateful that she found such Jefferson Wilderness – one of Dinah’s meaning in working with ONRC wee nd ll wood Dinah-Mo Peak rises favorite places to lead hikes. In 1985, when she was alive, grateful that her in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness, a after advocacy by Dinah’s family, name is still alive in something as reminder of one woman’s love for the land friends, and staff at Oregon Wild, that vibrant as a mountain in a wilderness and our shared passion to protect it. anonymous 6,441-foot peak in the area, grateful that I have such a Mount Jefferson Wilderness was given fitting way each month to express woods was her favorite place to be and the name Dinah-Mo Peak by the how much I miss her. I want to do my part in helping future Oregon Geographic Names Board. “Being with her in the woods is one generations get to be there too.” of my best memories. Being in the

inah-Mo Peak was named in 1985 to commemorate Dinah Your wildlands legacy DBeth Ross. She was a resource specialist and taught for the What will your legacy be? Please consider Oregon Wild in your estate Multnomah County Outdoor plans and make the protection and restoration • Will it be protecting the last remaining of Oregon’s wildlands, wildlife, and waters Education Program. She moved to old-growth forests in Oregon? Breitenbush Hot Springs where she your enduring legacy for future generations. • How about restoring ecosystems throughout became the assistant business To learn more about including Oregon Wild in Oregon that host healthy populations of manager and led many wilderness your estate or trust (or informing us of your native wildlife including salmon and gray hiking and cross-country ski tours. plans if you already have) please call our wolves? Dinah was known for her exuberance Executive Director, Scott Shlaes at 503-283- and dynamic personality and found • Or preserving the places in Oregon that are 6343 ext 223 or email him at scott@ herself with the nickname Dinah-mo. cherished by you and your family? oregonwild.org to discuss. When Dinah’s life was cut short in a

Fall 2011 Volume 38, Number 3 8 Two ways to increase your impact:

Make your gift go Give before September 30 and inspire us simply because of what Evergreen they are. The very best way to support Oregon Wild is and double your by giving on a monthly basis through the Janet ended her email by thanking donation Evergreen Society. Our Evergreen members Oregon Wild “for everything that you give us the long-term, stable support that we Want your donation to be instantly doubled at do.” need to achieve our goals of protecting and no extra cost to you? Until September 30 you In fact, we should be thanking Janet, restoring Oregon’s most special places. can double the impact of your donation and Dinah, and all of the other Like you, we budget and plan through a generous Matching Gift Challenge by volunteers and donors that contribute our conservation work better Mountain Rose Herbs. to our efforts. Your commitment to when we have a dependable Your donation to Oregon Wild will be matched our work and many touching stories source of income. Evergreen dollar-for-dollar up to $5,000 and all inspire us to protect the places that are members make automatic, contributions must reach us by September 30 close to all of our hearts. Whether you ongoing monthly or quarterly to qualify for this incredible matching gift gifts through their bank Our work at Oregon Wild affords us support Oregon Wild to protect a opportunity. Please help us secure these much account or credit card. You the privilege of talking about special legacy for future generations or to needed funds to support our conservation have total control over your work by sending us your contribution by the places throughout Oregon every day. celebrate the life of a loved one, your giving. And you’ll know you’re deadline, and remember that for each dollar They’re the places we work to protect. support is critical to our work and saving Oregon Wild precious you donate, Mountain Rose Herbs will match They’re the places we count on for greatly appreciated. resources spent on mailing up to $5,000. clean drinking membership reminders and allowing Oregon water and critical Wild staff to devote even more energy to Please note! If we do not receive your donation wildlife habitat. defending Oregon’s environment. by September 30, we will lose any matching funds that Mountain Rose Herbs has put They’re the places To learn more and to join the Evergreen towards the challenge. we go to recharge, Society, please visit www.oregonwild.org/ to play, and to be about/donate/evergreen Match your gift by using the included envelope inspired. Whether or donating online at: www.oregonwild.org/ Giving is easy, convenient and the best way to it’s an old-growth donate sustain Oregon Wild’s critical work. By making forest, a wild river ongoing monthly or quarterly gifts through canyon, or a automatic bank transfers or through your majestic credit card, you choose the convenience of mountain, each of having your membership renewed these places has automatically each year. their own beauty

9 Fall 2011 Volume 38, Number 3 Wolf “tales” from the Wallowas Creature Feature: Fisher Rob Klavins, Wildlands Advocate Wendell Wood, Wildlands Interpreter

rguably the most well-known Hosted by our friends at Barking Mad species trying to survive in Oregon Farm Bed & Breakfast, the group was over three feet long and weighs Ais the gray wolf, and Oregon Wild is treated to meetings with biologists, about ten pounds. Females are leading the charge to give them a wildlife managers, ranchers, and even a only half as large as males. All fighting chance. spiritual leader of the tribe together it is estimated there are who shared wolf stories passed on by his no more than 1,100 fishers in Wolves tend to make headlines when grandmother – born in the county in Oregon and California. they are at the center of conflict and 1871. Unique characteristics: controversy (often manufactured by their The fisher detractors). But for most of us, they are a The intrepid group also explored the was arguably misnamed, as symbol of freedom, wildness, and the , Zumwalt Prairie, mammals and birds, not fish, are West. Their return represents an and surrounding landscape. The closest their principal food. Food items opportunity to right the wrongs of past they came to seeing wolves was nearly include wood rats, squirrels, generations and restore health to the stepping in wolf scat, but with only 17 mice, quail, and grouse. In landscape. confirmed wolves in the entire state, particular, fishers have mastered that’s as close as most people get. We’re the difficult technique of preying It doesn’t hurt that the landscape leading more trips this fall and again gr eg trouslot on porcupines. In decades past, Oregon’s wolves call home is some of the next year. We hope you’ll join us! trappers reported that hardly most stunning in the world. Creature: ever was a fisher caught that did Find out if there are spots left on the Fisher (Martes pennanti) In July, a group of Oregon Wild not have quills in its skin, and even more Fall Wolf Rendezvous trip and keep an Where you can find it: supporters headed out on the second Denning in large old remarkably, these did not seem to fester or eye out for next year’s trips at www. annual Wallowa Wolf Rendezvous. growth trees, Pacific fishers are most otherwise significantly harm the fisher. oregonwild.org/about/hikes_events commonly associated with mature, closed- In focus: canopy, conifer forests. By the mid 20th Conservationists have petitioned century the species was extirpated from most several times to list the fisher as an of its Pacific Northwest range due to logging, endangered species. It was placed on the U.S. trapping, and human development. Their Fish and Wildlife Service “candidate list” in isolated ranges include small populations in 2004. Following litigation, a settlement was the southern Sierra Nevada, the Klamath/ recently reached, with the agency agreeing to Siskiyous, and in the southern Oregon reevaluate by 2014 if the fisher qualifies for Cascades. protection, and finalize the decision in 2015. This June, the USFWS completed a status By the numbers: Fisher are medium-sized review of the fisher in the U.S. Northern furbearers in the weasel family (Mustelidae) Rocky Mountains, and (controversially) that also includes mink, marten, otters, and concluded it did not warrant protection john morris Describing the movements of the Imnaha Pack, ODFW wolf coordinator Russ wolverine. An adult male fisher is slightly under the Endangered Species Act. Morgan educates the Oregon Wild wolf rendevous group.

Fall 2011 Volume 38, Number 3 10 Return of the natives accessible along designated routes and Rob Klavins, Wildlands Advocate The migration viewing areas. Additionally, a week or so after the first is “on” again significant rains in October is the best time to watch for Chinook and coho rom Murderer’s Creek and Hell Hole to human intrusion, we hold out hope that a few this fall salmon during their upstream spawning Thirsty Creek, Sky Lakes, and Kangaroo individuals still wander the wild expanses of Wendell Wood, Wildlands Interpreter migrations. RoadlessF Area, some of Oregon’s wildest places the Siskiyou, Cascade, and Blue Mountains. Popular areas near Portland where salmon ate October and early November is a have intriguing names. They in turn provide regularly concentrate, allowing for easy Some locals even claim grizzlies occasionally great time to be outside to see some homes to an even more intriguing cast of viewing, are Eagle Creek in the Columbia make an appearance in Hells Canyon. Such ofL the Pacific Northwest’s greatest fish and characters. River Gorge below Bonneville Dam and stories are less likely to be accurate. In fact, wildlife migration events. It’s a story we lovingly refer to in the halls of many of the area’s bears identified as black are the bluff trail along the in Oregon Wild as “The Return of the actually brown. If you think of the Pacific flyway as shaped Oxbow Regional Park. from north to south like an hour glass, Charismatic Megafauna”. The main stage is In southern Oregon, as early as October 7, Not to be outdone, a mother gray whale and then the Klamath Basin is the constriction Oregon’s largest protected Wilderness – the Rainie Falls is an excellent salmon viewing her calf made more than a few waves when in the hour glass’ center. As such, the Eagle Cap. A couple recent returnees make the spot two miles down a trail below Grave they spent a few weeks in the Klamath Basin of southern Oregon and raptors of the Zumwalt, the mountain goats of Creek on the south side of Rogue River. (yes, river) and it wasn’t too long ago we northern California hosts 3/4 of the the lakes basin, and the herd of feral buffalo reported on the return of sea otters to Depoe seem downright prosaic. waterfowl migration of the entire flyway. Another popular spot to see leaping Bay. Although the temperatures can be chilly, salmon at the end of October can be In the timber to the north and west, a small As part of our mission, Oregon Wild seeks to the waterfowl migration here usually reached by taking a half mile hike to Little herd of Shira’s moose have slowly been ensure healthy populations of all native peaks around the November 1. Half of Falls on the Illinois River, located off building their numbers over the past decade. wildlife. Sometimes that means keeping these ducks, geese, and other water birds Eightdollar Mt. Rd, off Hwy. 199 near They share a landscape with the more well common species common. Other times that frequent the Klamath Basin National Kerby. Salmon can also be seen spawning known gray wolves attempting to take their means fighting the good fight for those like Wildlife Refuges, where viewing is most near Illinois River Forks State Park one first tentative steps towards recovery. Oregon is wolves whose continued presence depends on mile south of Cave Junction. home to only two breeding pairs of wolves extra help. facing constant pressure from anti-wildlife interests. It may be easier to get people’s attention with moose, bison, and freshwater whales, but Earlier this year, another enigmatic character equally important are the perhaps less exciting made a cameo appearance. For the first time in red tree voles, mule deer, and jumping slugs. history, a wolverine was photographed in Oregon. It’s now confirmed that at least three Did that last one get your attention? You can wolverines are wandering the Eagle Cap. find a profile of the Jumping Slug, wolverine, Likely originating in Idaho, these wolverines and other native species on our wildlife profile www.oregonwild.org/fish_wildlife/wildlife- followed the path of the wolves. Though page: pages wide-ranging and exceptionally sensitive to b rett cole

11 Fall 2011 Volume 38, Number 3 Celebrating the Siuslaw Ten years of restoration progress Chandra LeGue, Old Growth Campaign Coordinator

design projects from the ground up the U.S. Forest Service and the But if forest managers instead based on commonly held goals of Natural Resources Conservation duplicate the Siuslaw example, there is ecological restoration. More than Service to a small number of groups hope for protecting and restoring our 100 of these projects have improved to recognize exemplary partnership forests across the region. fish and wildlife habitat and efforts promoting conservation and supplied steady work for local forest stewardship. contractors and timber companies Siuslaw without controversy. Additionally, The anniversary of the Siuslaw the new stewardship law has Stewardship Group comes at a time Stewardship allowed for dollars generated when short-sighted special interests Accomplishments through stewardship timber sales to and the politicians they influence • 14 stewardship timber sales C handra LeGue For ten years, the Siuslaw collaborative group has been working to be reallocated into enhancing forest have continued to push for a return awarded, restoring 3,700 acres turn dense old plantations (left) into potential towering old growth (right). and watershed health in other parts to large-scale old-growth logging of forest of the Siuslaw watershed. (see page 4), despite the many • $3 million in retained receipts wenty years ago the Siuslaw managers were required to preserve successes of collaboratively-based from timber sales put back into restoration National Forest in the Oregon more old-growth and riparian This collaborative approach has forest management. Oregonians are CoastT Range,was home to a bitter habitat for native wildlife that had worked so well that the initial still unsure if a Bush-era plan to log • 48 private-land and 50 Forest battle over old-growth logging. Today, been pushed to the brink. Managers Service restoration projects “pilot” group in the Siuslaw Bureau of Land Management forests funded thanks to the collaborative work of at the Siuslaw saw an opportunity to watershed has been duplicated in in western Oregon (the WOPR) will dozens of non-profit organizations, advance new restoration goals and • $1.2 million in matching funds three other watersheds in the move forward, and proposals to give generated for restoration projects. timber companies, watershed councils rebuild the trust that had been lost , and has away these lands to be clear-cut by and other partners, the Siuslaw is a during decades of conflict over served as a model for other Forests private industry are gaining traction. model for forest management in the old-growth logging. They wisely across the region. region. initiated a program of “thinning” C handra LeGue Numerous trips into the field with a diverse set of stakeholders young forests instead of cutting old The efforts of Oregon Wild and the make the collaborative process possible. Home to coastal salmon, threatened ones. Siuslaw’s many other partners have marbled murrelets and spotted owls, not gone unnoticed at higher levels. and some of Oregon’s fastest growing With new federal “stewardship At an August 2011 10-year Siuslaw trees, the Siuslaw was a hot spot in the authorities” that provided incentive Stewardship Celebration event, fight to stop ancient forest logging in for an innovative type of several Forest Service staff and the 1980s, when thousands of acres of collaborative forest management, the members of the Siuslaw’s old-growth were being clear-cut each Siuslaw Stewardship Group was collaborative groups were awarded year. When the Northwest Forest Plan formed in 2001. It has brought the Two Chiefs’ Partnership Award, went into effect in 1994, forest diverse stakeholders together to presented annually by the Chiefs of

Fall 2011 Volume 38, Number 3 12 Keeping it wild Featuring the supporters, foundations, businesses, and volunteers that make our work possible. This issue’s focus: legal eagles

line. However, litigation can also place a Oregon Wild’s predecessor, ONRC, was the five years straight, when my children were in simmering environmental problem in the first environmental group to sue Bruce their teens, would vacation annually for a public light. Babbitt, the Secretary of the Dept. of week in that area, bringing other young Interior. The suit was over his failure to people to experience nature, where Oregon Wild: Why do you think it is designate critical habitat under the ESA for otherwise they were city bound. We met wee nd ll wood important to specifically support Oregon the magnificent, but imperiled, Stellar Sea another set of campers who had kayaks and Wild’s legal efforts to protect public lands, Name: Bill Carpenter Lion. a sail boat which they generously allowed us waters and wildlife? to borrow. Paddling at the north end of Location: Eugene Bill: Oregon Wild: Oregon Wild is the premier protector of What impresses you most Waldo Lake in a kayak in the early morning, natural resources and wildlife in Oregon. about Oregon Wild? just after the sun has crested over Oregon Wild: How did you first learn about Bill: Ever since Outside Magazine rated ONRC Its ability to focus on keeping Oregon Charnelton Butte, has been one of the most Oregon Wild? Bill Carpenter: one of the best environmental organizations WILD. It is the main organization in the peaceful experiences in my life. I learned about its predecessor, to contribute to, I have had an interest in state that is concerned with the loss of the ONRC, in law school in some of the spotted Oregon Wild. A key component of the wild aspects of Oregon, be they Oregon Wild: What is your favorite Oregon owl and NEPA litigation when the organization is its legal efforts to protect reintroduction of eradicated wolves, animal and why? University of Oregon’s Law Clinic Oregon from a variety of interests, be they protecting endangered, but not charismatic, Bill: Well it is a toss up between the bald representing them in the late ‘80s. governmental or private, which only see the sucker fish, or the drive to create more eagle and the wolf. The bald eagle presents a extraction value of nature in Oregon. wilderness in the State. Oregon Wild: How did you first become spectacle whenever you see one soar, but the engaged in environmental law? Oregon Wild: wolf offers hope for a future where an Which Oregon Wild campaign Oregon Wild: Why do you choose to live in Bill: Actually, I was an environmental affairs animal of the past can find a home to roam are you most interested in and why? Oregon? manager for a small petroleum refining Bill: again. Probably the Klamath Campaign Bill: I think that it has much of it pristine company in the Southwest. And was the because it is both the most remote from beauty left, whereas our more developed Oregon Wild: company’s representative in some New What is your favorite Oregon Oregon’s population centers and affords the neighboring coastal states seem to have had Mexico enforcement settlements done by plant and why? most promise in restoring some of the best that beauty overrun by the masses. Bill: EPA. Using the term broadly, I would need to migratory bird and eagle habitat in the say the majestic old growth Douglas Fir. western United States. Oregon Wild: Oregon Wild: Why do you feel like litigation/ What is your favorite place in When first coming to Oregon, there was a Oregon and why? low elevation stand near Fall Creek that I legal action is a valuable tool for the Oregon Wild: What little known fact about Bill: Likely, the area around the north shore would take all of my out of state visitors to conservation community? Oregon Wild do you wish more people Bill: of Waldo Lake, sans mosquitos. While I marvel at the size of these giants, and their Litigation is the ultimate backstop to knew? illegal action. Many entities believe they can Bill: now maintain a portion of the Pacific Crest age. That during the environmental “revival” Trail between McKenzie and Santiam skate on the edge of legality, and litigation is experienced by Bill Clinton’s election, the only way to define that ultimate legal Passes for the PCTA, my family for about

13 Fall 2011 Volume 38, Number 3 chan dra le gue Oregon Dunes gary hale Opal Creek gary hale Opal Creek

Special places with our favorite people – YOU Sean Stevens, Director of Communications & Development

very year, Oregon Wild staff sit adventure. As we waited, a small Edown and plan out our herd of tramped across the calendar of hikes. We toss around road a hundred yards away. I names like Rogue River Trail, Mirror guess they don’t call it Elk Lake, and Fuji Mountain. But, it’s Meadows for nothing! Hopefully not until we’re out on the trail with a these few photos from our mix of hundreds of old friends and summer’s explorations give you a newcomers to our state that we taste of how special being on foot get to experience what Oregon in Oregon’s wild really is. Wild Summer is really about – connecting with the special places Thanks to KEEN for their we’ve protected or are working to generous support of Oregon protect. Wild Summer 2011. My “aha” moment came at the Elk Meadows trailhead as our group gathered to head out on our day’s chandra le gue Brice Creek Falls file photo Boulder Lake

Fall 2011 Volume 38, Number 3 14 Business Partners Board voyage Scott Shlaes

A warm welcome to Oregon Wild’s newest board members: Shawn Donnille and Brett Sommermeyer.

Shawn is Vice President of Mountain Rose Herbs, a Eugene- based botanical products company dedicated to sustainability and organic agriculture. Shawn spends time reading, volunteering for various environmental and animal welfare causes, and seeking out free-flowing streams where he can cast a fly (catch and release only!).

Brett is an Oregon transplant, recently relocating to Lincoln City. Through his business, ConBio Consulting, Brett provides legal and policy consulting services to environmental nonprofits. When not working, he seeks to maximize his outdoor and wildlife experiences through rock climbing, hiking, Pe am la Durr Oregon Wild business partners help to sponsor events like our annual Outdoor Photo and kayaking. Contest and unveiling event (see back page for details).

As you know, Oregon Wild is protecting the special places volunteer hike leader roster A fond farewell to long time Oregon Wild board members dedicated to protecting and important to them and their over the coming year. Gary Guttormsen and Rand Schenck. restoring Oregon’s wildlands, families, or one of the many Mountain Rose Herbs is wildlife, and waters as an small businesses that keep adding to their already Gary joined our original incarnation, the Oregon Wilderness enduring legacy for all Oregon true to its local roots, substantial contribution with a Coalition, in the 1970s as an advocate for Waldo Lake. He Oregonians. The business your voice can have a positive matching gift offer (see details continued his engagement on our Eugene Action Committee, community plays an important impact on our state’s future. on page 9). joining the board in 1999 and eventually serving as its president. role in shaping that legacy. Oregon Wild is very proud to Interested in partnering with Rand joined the Board in 2000, after cutting his teeth as an Whether you’re an outdoor have great business partners, Oregon Wild? Find out more activist in North Carolina. Rand’s love of big trees, winning www.oregonwild.org/ retailer whose products enable two of which are featured on at environmental battles, and securing Wilderness protection for about/donate/support-our- others to explore Oregon’s these pages. KEEN generously threatened places connected him with Oregon Wild’s work and business-partners many wonders, a tech sponsored our 2011 Oregon gave him a feeling of satisfaction to be part of Oregon’s most company that shares your Wild Summer hikes series and successful conservation organization. employees’ values for is helping us to build our

15 Fall 2011 Volume 38, Number 3 Photos and fungi – fall events *More details on all events can be found at www.oregonwild.org/about/hikes_events Portland, OR Portland, Permit No. 226 No. Permit US POSTAGE PAID US POSTAGE NON-PROFIT ORG

s teve sphall do ug vorwaller

Photo Contest Winners Fall Hikes! Unveiled September 10 Patterson Mountain (Eugene) October 7, 2011 October 15 McKenzie Headwaters - Fall 7:00 – 9:00 pm Colors & Salmon (Eugene) Ecotrust Building 721 NW 9th, Portland October 20 Larch Mountain Mushroom Hike Help celebrate the winners of the Seventh Annual Oregon (Portland) Wild Outdoor Photo Contest at our unveiling event in Portland’s Pearl District. Enjoy light snacks, beer, and wine at October 22 Eagle Creek Mushroom Hike this free event. Come prepared to bid on prints of the winning (Portland) photos and several stunning honorable mention images. You just might walk home with a piece of Oregon’s mesmerizing October 23 Eagle Creek Salmon Viewing

5825 N. Greeley Ave. Ave. Greeley 5825 N. OR 97217 Portland, outdoor beauty to hang on your wall. (Portland) Photo contest October 24 Herman Creek Mushroom Hike sponsored by: Pro Photo Supply, Wolf (Portland) Haven International, and the World Forestry Center Printed on recycled based ink. on paper with soy Printed ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED SERVICE ADDRESS