Oregon faces a shortage of wildland firefighters that could be “a recipe for trouble,” according to U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden. Wyden wrote to U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack recently with concerns that their agencies weren’t prepared to handle another catastrophic fire season such[Read More…]
Environment
New limits coming for Chinook fishing over historically low numbers
Due to years of drought and poor ocean conditions, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will restrict fishing for wild Chinook salmon in parts of the state from late summer through the end of the year. Numbers of wild Chinook in several coastal tributaries are forecast to be at[Read More…]
State advises Oregonians to watch out for snapping turtles
State wildlife officials are on the hunt for invasive snapping turtles. These prehistoric-looking creatures, native to the eastern part of Canada and the U.S. , have settled into the Tualatin River watershed and been spotted elsewhere, including the Clackamas, Willamette, Columbia, Sandy, Molalla, Pudding and Umpqua rivers and the Columbia Slough. [Read More…]
Oregon Appeals Court reverses $1.1 billion verdict over state forest management
The Oregon Court of Appeals on Wednesday reversed a $1.1 billion verdict against the state for how it manages forests, ruling that the state wasn’t obligated to maximize logging and profits.
Map shows 52 acre Metro expansion at Killin Wetlands
Following a story published March 21 about Metro’s Killin Wetlands property expanding by 52 acres, several readers reached out and asked for a map showing the new acreage. At this newspaper’s request, Metro created a map showing the expanded area recently purchased by the regional government. Located to the south[Read More…]
State takes next steps on plan to protect threatened species in western forests
A plan to protect critical animal habitat in nearly 640,000 acres of western Oregon state forests is moving towards its final stages. An environmental impact review of the Western Forests Habitat Conservation Plan was released March 18, and Oregonians have 60 days to submit their thoughts and concerns to the National Oceanic[Read More…]
Metro adds 52 acres to Killin Wetlands area between Banks and Gales Creek
The Metro-owned property between Banks and Gales Creek betwixt Highway 6 and Cedar Canyon Road grew by 52 acres, Metro said in a press release, adding to the natural area connected to a public park opened there in 2018. More than one square mile—or 640 acres—of peat soil wetlands is[Read More…]
Rabid bat found in Washington County
A map showing rabid animals in Oregon for the year through August. Multnomah County confirmed Wednesday that a rabid bat had been found in northeast Portland Sept. 11, and they’re not the only county grappling with a rabid chiropteran. In fact, they’re not even the first. “Washington County also had[Read More…]
Gov. Brown declares state of emergency as heat wave builds
The sun near Mountaindale on July 31, 2017. The sun is widely considered a significant contributing factor to high temperatures. Photo: Chas Hundley Governor Kate Brown declared a state of emergency on Thursday in 23 of Oregon’s 36 counties—including Washington County—due to the heat wave beginning in much of the[Read More…]
Oregon’s salmon plates get a refreshed look
An example of the new design, courtesy Oregon Parks and Recreation Department A new design for Oregon salmon license plates will be available to vehicle owners September 1, 2021, and the money from plate sales will go toward salmon habitat and restoration. The salmon plate VIP list auction opens for[Read More…]
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