As the weather warms up, so too does the state forest effort!

The collaborative effort to protect the Oregon’s state forests is gaining momentum, primarily due to the effort of volunteers and activists in northwest Oregon. Last July, a group of activists traveled to Tillamook to push the Board of Forestry to create the new High Value Conservation Area classification. Their work was a fruitful first step. In March, hundreds of conservationists, including Columbia Group Sierrans, attended two ODF hearings on the new Conservation Area rule. Testimony at these hearings was overwhelmingly supportive of the new designation. Aside from these hearings, the Sierra Club helped to drive over 2000 public comments to the ODF. The case for Conservation Areas was made abundantly clear.

Flowering Red Currant on State Forest Land

This April, the Washington County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution in support of state forest conservation areas and a sound forest management plan. The Tualatin City Council expressed similar support in the form of a City Proclamation. On the coast, the Cannon Beach City Council unanimously passed a resolution in support of Conservation Areas. We are hopeful that cities including Hillsboro, Beaverton, Banks, Sherwood, and Tigard follow these examples. Governor Kitzhaber recently re-emphasized his support for our state forests with a letter to the Board of Forestry. These political entities join nearly 100 businesses and organizations that have endorsed the effort to restore balance to Oregon’s state forests.

Having earned our seat at the table, we intend to use it to fight for the environmental values that have recently been ignored in favor of an increasing timber harvest. Conservation Areas are the tool with which we hope to achieve balance on these treasured lands. In Salem on June 5th, the Board of Forestry will vote on whether or not to ratify the new High Value Conservation Area classification. We sincerely hope that they consider the massive outpouring of support as they take a key step in shaping Oregon’s forest legacy. A conservation presence at this meeting will further signal our message to the Board, so email Chris Smith if you’d like to join us at this meeting.

Wilson River, Tillamook State Forest

For our part, as the weather warms up, there will be ample opportunity to be involved in our campaign and to enjoy our state forests. Along with tabling at farmers markets, building our collection of state forest photos, and tracking the forest management plan, there are also opportunities to get into the forest for fun, education, and service. Our outings calendar is updated frequently and already has some great opportunities on it.

Please visit forestlegacy.org to learn more and be sure to “like” us on Facebook!

Help Our Senators Designate More Oregon Wilderness!

Early morning on Waldo Lake in central Oregon.

In February of this year Senators Wyden and Merkley introduced a serious of wilderness and land protection bills targeting the Oregon Caves Nationa Monument, Devil’s Staircase, Cathredral Rock and Horse Heaven in the John Day Basin, and lands along the Chetco, Molalla, and Rogue rivers.

Senator Wyden recently brought forth and marked up the first of these bills targeting the Rogue River area through a subcommittee of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee that he chairs. The bill would add 60,000 new acres of wilderness to the existing Rogue Wilderness and protect 143 milesof tributaries, one of the most productive salmon watersheds on the west coast.

Now is a good time to thank Senator Wyden for introducing and advocating for these areas as it will be no small task to get wilderness legislation through Congress. The previous Congress was the first since the Wilderness Act was passed in 1964 that failed to add any new wilderness to the system. Senator Wyden is in a position to be a strong advocate but he needs to hear that Oregonians not only support these initial efforts but that we also need him to become a more vocal leader to initiate efforts to protect large areas such as the Owyhee Canyonlands and the area around Waldo Lake, both current campaigns of the Sierra Club.

Owyhee Canyonlands in southeast Oregon.

The Club is currently advocating to protect the Owyhee Canyonlands as a National Monument and the Waldo Lake area  in addition to the other lands identified in Senator Wyden’s legislation.

We strongly encourage you to write or call Senator Wyden and Merkley to thank them for their efforts and ask them to advocate for permanent protection for the Owyhee Canyonlands and Waldo Lake area. Tell them how important these areas are to you and why you value protecting wild lands.

Senator Wyden
221 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C., 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5244
or use his on line comment page

http://www.wyden.senate.gov/contact/

Senator Merkley
313 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C., 20510
Phone:(202) 224-3753
or use his on line comment page

http://www.merkley.senate.gov/contact/

High Desert Adventures 2013!

The High Desert Committee will be leading two trips to the desert this summer. Descriptions and contacts follow. We also think there is a probability we will offer a fall multi-day trip as well but have not finalized plans. Visit our website for updates.

Owyhee Rendezvous 
Jun 26 – 30, 2013

Calling all desert enthusiasts! We are once again hosting an Owyhee Rendezvous–a time and a place to meet together and explore, enjoy, and learn how to protect the Owyhee Canyonlands area. The landscape of our current campaign, the Owyhee Canyonlands, is vast and diverse. We will form a base camp at Leslie Gulch, and from there lead daily hikes. Day hikes will visit areas in and around Leslie Gulch, Three Forks, Jordan Craters, Painted Gulch and more. We also hope to organize a day of service with the BLM. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to meet up with old and new friends in a stunningly beautiful place.To register, contact: Bill Hart, 503-236-8058, whart@easystreet.net

Steens Mountain Fence Pull
Jul 26 – 31, 2013

Want to help add a bit more “wild” to the Steens Mountain wilderness? Join us in removing the visual blight of old fencing that’s also a danger to hikers and wildlife. This year we will backpack in to our work site. No experience necessary! We will have down time to explore the area. We will even feed you dinner. The work is strenuous and the climate hot, but you’ll walk away with a feeling of accomplishment! To register, contact: Harry Anderton, 503-241-7035, haredoga@gmail.com.

Updates on Oregon State Forest Conservation

Public Comment Period on High Value Conservation Areas Extended

The period to weigh in on the Department of Forestry’s new “High Value Conservation Area” designation on state forest lands has been extended until 5 pm on April 19th. This new Conservation Area classification will protect crucial fish and wildlife habitat, clean water sources, and important recreation spots. Let ODF know how important these areas and values are to you, submit your comments here!

Hugely Successful Hearings in Cannon Beach and Hillsboro

The North Coast State Forest Coalition extends a gigantic “THANK YOU!” to all those who were able to attend last month’s public hearings in Cannon Beach and Hillsboro. These events showcased the significant support for state forest Conservation Areas coming from northwest Oregon. All told, nearly 200 people attended the hearings, making them some of the best-attended hearings that ODF has hosted. Testimony came from all backgrounds and angles and demonstrated the breadth and variety of those who support a balanced approach to state forest management in Oregon.

Here is a Daily Astorian article on the Cannon Beach hearing.

Join us for an Outing!

The North Coast State Forest Coalition is hosting a series of field trips and events in the Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests. Anyone interested in these lands and the role they play in the local economy and ecosystem is invited to attend.

Spring Chinook Seminar, Thursday April 18th - Pro guide Bob Rees will detail techniques used to pursue Tillamook Bay’s spring chinook… (details)

Steelhead Viewing at Salmonberry Falls, Saturday April 27th - Join veteran citizen-field biologists Ian Fergusson and Bob Rees on a unique tour of the Salmonberry Watershed, a tributary to the mighty Nehalem River… (details)

Tour Hyla Woods’ Mt. Richmond Forest, Saturday May 4th - As a small timber business, Hyla Woods aims to grow ecologically complex, economically viable, responsibly operated forests… (details)

Learn about Juvenile Salmonids on the Wilson River, Sunday May 5th - Interested folks will take a short hike up the Little North Fork of the Wilson River to view ODFW personnel working a fish trap, inventorying juvenile salmon, steelhead, and trout as they exit this pristine watershed… (details)

On-Water Spring Chinook Clinic, Saturday May 11th - Join us in beautiful Tillamook County for an on-the-water clinic for bank anglers to pursue spring chinook… (details)

Family Friendly Hike along the Wilson River, Sunday May 26th - The Wilson River provides some of the most accessible recreation opportunities in the Tillamook and Clatsop forests. Join us for a leisurely 3.5 mile stroll… (details)

Space is limited for these events. Please register early to ensure a spot. Visit our “Outings and Events” page for details.

Washington County Commission Resolution Supports Conservation Areas

On April 2nd, the Washington County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution that “endorses efforts by the Oregon Department of Forestry and the Board of Forestry to implement conservation areas on state forest lands, including the Tillamook State Forest, and encourages the state’s policy makers to pursue a sound forest policy that acknowledges the values and benefits of all forest resources including clean water, adequate fish and wildlife habitat, sustainable timber harvest, and recreation.”

You can send a note to thank the Commission here. The Washington County Commission joins Wheeler and Rockaway Beach as the first communities to pass resolutions for conservation areas. Clatsop County supported conservation areas in a letter last year. We hope to see more cities and counties pass supportive resolutions in the near future.

Kevin Weeks

We would like to express our deepest condolences over the passing of Kevin Weeks. Kevin was the Oregon Forestry staff person at the table as people entered the recent hearings on conservation areas. He was a model public servant. He was helpful, good humored, efficient, and thoughtful. He never hesitated to help our staff or volunteers when we attended forestry events, and he was always quick with a smile. He will be missed.

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As always, we appreciate your helping us to ensure the future balance of Oregon’s state forests. If you haven’t done so already, we encourage you to sign our petition, visit our website, like us on Facebook, or join us for an event.

2013 Legislative Session – Bill Tracker

The Oregon State Capitol in Salem.

The 2013 Oregon Legislative Session is in full swing, and Sierra Club staff are closely tracking proposed bills and meeting with legislators in Salem to advocate for preservation of Oregon’s pristine wilderness, wildlife protection, and clean, renewable energy.

The following is a list of some of the environment and energy related bills that have been introduced in the 2013 Oregon Legislative Session, along with the Sierra Club’s position on those bills.

Click here for more information about these bills and their current status.

Bill Number	Description	Position
SB 357	Mandates forests to be cut at 90% of annual production levels.	Oppose
HB 2893	Require utilities to pay for unused distributed solar energy generated by homes and businesses.	Support
SB 242	Revises Energy Performance Standards to further discourage use of coal.	Support
SB 602	Adds Waldo Lake to list of non-motorized lakes in Oregon.	Support
HB 2800	Interstate 5 bridge replacement program.	Oppose
SB 401	Expands State Scenic Waterways program to discourage suction dredge mining on Oregon rivers.	Support
HB 2624	Allows conditional exemption of counties from prohibitions against cougar hunting with dogs.	Oppose
HB 3086	Allows private entities to take actions affecting sage grouse habitat with offsite mitigation measures.	Oppose
HB 2106, HB 2105	Authorizes Energy Facility Siting Council studies.	Support
HB 2939	Requires comparative energy usage disclosure program.	Support
HB 2791/SB 488	Extends Oregon’s standards for reducing amount of carbon in transportation fuels.	Support
SB 77	Limits right to appeal land use decisions.	Oppose
SJR 22	Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution to establish procedure for requiring legislative review of administrative rules.	Oppose
SB 251	Expedites approval process for development plans.	Oppose
SJM 6	Local management of O&C Lands.	Oppose
HB 2027	Requires agency assistance regarding nonlethal options to reduce conflict between humans and wildlife.	Support
HB 2319	Prevents spreading of genetically engineered material to nearby property used for farming practices.	Support
HB 2427	Prohibits raising canola within Willamette Valley.	Support
SB 249	Clarifies use of certain moneys in Clean Diesel Engine Fund.	Support
HB 2793	Requires energy performance scores for residential buildings.	Support
HB 2497	Imposes carbon tax.	Support
SB 537	Convenes work group to implement carbon tax.	Support
HB 3162	Toxics disclosure for children’s products.	Support
HB 2032	Ppayments for off-site compensatory mitigation.	Support
HB 2202	Prohibits conditional approval of mining permits for mining of some exclusive farm use-zoned lands.	Support
HB 2249	Establishes Willamette River Basin Bonneville Power Administration Stewardship Fund.	Support
HB 2253	PSU to issue population studies to guide land use decisions.	Support
HB 2254	Urban growth boundary depends on population growth in small cities.	Support
HB 2256	Requires local government that expands urban growth boundary to cause renegotiation, as necessary, of urban service agreements.	Support
HB 2258	Authorizes and implements water banking.	Support
HB 2259	Increases certain fees charged by Water Resources Department.	Support
HB 2284	Requires Oregon Business Development Department to establish and administer Oregon Industrial Site Readiness Program.	Support
HB 2291	Authorizes study of rural renewable energy development zones.	Support
HB 2472	Tax credit for renewable energy resource equipment.	Support
HB 2694	Requires study on wave energy.	Support
SB 354	Authorizes issuance of bonds for development of transmission capacity for wave energy.	Support
HB 2310	Authorizes multimodal transportation funds.	Support
HB 2324	Voluntary contributions for livestock safety and wildlife protection programs.	Support
HB 2396	Adds large woody debris to definition of ‘material’ for purposes of removal-fill provisions.	Support
HB 2516	Allows moneys in Watershed Conservation Funds to be used for educating students about native fish or wildlife habitats, watersheds or ecosystems.	Support
HB 2658	Tax credits for creating jobs for removal and remedial actions.	Support
HB 2659	Authorizes brownfields study.	Support
HB 2715	Authorizes counties to establish control areas for commodities containing genetically engineered material.	Support
HB 2726	Requires agency assistance regarding nonlethal options to reduce conflict between humans and wildlife.	Support
HB 5048	Modifies OWEB budget.	Support
SB 117	Approves beverage container redemption centers.	Support
SB 196	Allows partnership between State Parks and Recreation Department and nonprofit organizations.	Support
SB 217	Imposes annual management fee on water rights.	Support
SB 247	Creates Alternative Mode Transportation Fund.	Support
SB 476	Requires agencies to prepare environmental impact statements before approving applications.	Support
HB 3364	Amends list of state agencies and public universities required to adopt integrated pest management practices.	Support
HB 2420	Requires identification of source of communication in support of or in opposition to candidate or measure.	Support
HB 2725	Off-road permits for ATV’s issued in form of identification plate rather than decal.	Support
SB 331	Increases percentage of moneys distributed for maintenance of county parks.	Support
HB 2393	Allows slaughtering, processing and selling poultry on land zoned for exclusive farm use.	Support
HB 2285	Requires Oregon Business Development Department to establish and administer Oregon Industrial Site Readiness Program.	Oppose
SB 474	Lists raccoon as potentially habituated wildlife.	Support
HB 2435	Biodiesel containing percentage of used cooking oil is excempt from fuel tax.	Support
HB 2736	Exempts farmer from liability for inadvertently having or using genetically engineered seeds or plants.	Support
HB 2820	Requires study of solar siting issues.	Support
SB 116	Creates task force to study shipping/transport of aquatic invasive species.	Support
SB 199	Expands means for acquisition of existing water rights for conversion to in-stream water right.	Support
SB 462	Restricts location of compost facilities.	Oppose
HB 3098	Authorizes owners of Young Life Washington Family Ranch to develop expansion area, exempted from state land use rules.	Oppose
SB 336	Alters standing requirements for cases involving land use regulations.	Oppose
SB 5511	Allocates money for Columbia River Gorge Commission budget.	Support
SB 844	Establishes voluntary greenhouse gas emission reduction program.	Support
SB 845	Exempts some land use decisions from appeal.	Oppose
SB 838	Prohibits certain mining operations using motorized equipment.	Support
SJM 10	Urges Congress to transfer management of O&C Lands to local government.	Oppose
HB 3476	Prohibits importation of genetically engineered fish into Oregon.	Support
HB 3469	Establishes fund for protection of wild bird species.	Support
HB 3452	Describes circumstances in which gray wolves may be taken.	Oppose
HB 3492	Reduces use of toxic substances and generation of hazardous waste.	Support
HJR 16	Proposes Constitutional right to hunt, fish, and trap wildlife in Oregon.	Oppose

A hike with forest ecologist Howard Bruner

Forest ecologist Howard Bruner.

by Barbara Loeb, outings leader of the Marys Peak Group

Did you know?

• that a certain type of lichen (lobaria or lung moss) is a nitrogen fixer? It thrives on trees and then falls to the ground to fertilize the trees it has lived on
• that fallen trees, branches, and forest undergrowth help slow the flow of streams and make them healthier?
• that you can often tell if a tree has fallen due to root rot? The tree’s fine roots will be missing, and the larger ones will be snapped, as well as show signs of rot.
• that root rot can cause small open spaces in the woods? A single infection center can spread from tree to tree, gradually felling one after another until the rot encounters unsusceptible tree species or existing gaps that stop it.

On March 23^rd the Marys Peak Group of the Sierra Club sponsored a hike with botanist and forest ecologist Howard Bruner. A number of hikers walked the Old Growth and New Growth trails in MacDonald Forest and listened to his information on the ways our forests work. Howard’s goal had been to help us see the forest in new ways, and he succeeded. The above is just a hint of what we learned.

The Marys Peak Group of the Sierra Club has a diverse outings program, check out their calendar for upcoming outings: http://oregon.sierraclub.org/groups/marys_peak/events/

Sierra Club Opposes Portland Water Fluoridation Measure 26-151

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2013

 SIERRA CLUB OPPOSES PORTLAND WATER FLUORIDATION MEASURE 26-151

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Sierra Club today announced its opposition to Ballot Measure 26-151, the water fluoridation measure that voters will decide on this May.  The Club made its decision based on long-term evidence of adverse health risks from fluoridation chemicals and the concern that fluoridation would introduce dangerous quantities of toxic and carcinogenic chemicals into local rivers through sewage effluent.

“Human health is intertwined with the health of our rivers, aquatic life, and entire ecosystem,” said Antonia Giedwoyn, spokesperson for Oregon Sierra Club’s Columbia Group, which made the decision to oppose the measure. “We strongly support comprehensive dental care for our children, but this is the wrong path to that goal.”

“Sierra Club opposes fluoridation, because it would degrade some of the purest drinking water in the world. Kids are already bombarded with multiple toxins from plastics, pesticides, and air pollution.  Adding fluorosilicic acid, a byproduct of the phosphate fertilizer industry, to Portland’s water would be a profound disservice to our children,” Giedwoyn said.

Fluorosilicic acid added to all Portland water would drain into rivers and streams. Fisheries scientist and Columbia Group Chair Jeff Fryer explained the club’s concerns about adding over 1 million pounds of fluoridation chemicals a year into Portland’s water system.

“We are disappointed that City Council rushed the fluoridation vote before evaluating impacts to salmon and other aquatic life, because there is no question that fluoridation chemicals would add a large quantity of a known toxin into rivers that are already overloaded with toxins,” Fryer said.

Claims that fluoridating the water would add a “natural mineral” are false. Fluorosilicic acid — which is neither natural, nor a mineral — is the chemical mixture the City would use to fluoridate. This man-made chemical is highly corrosive and is classified as “hazardous” by the National Institutes of Health’s Hazardous Substances Data Bank. Unlike fluoride in toothpaste, fluorosilicic acid is not pharmaceutical grade.

Numerous scientific studies have linked fluorosilicic acid exposure in drinking water to serious health risks such as increased risk of bone cancer, neurological impairment, thyroid dysfunction, and more.

If the measure passes, the City will charge water ratepayers for a fluoridation facility estimated to cost between $3.5 and $7.6 million, along with $575,000 per year indefinitely on fluoridation chemicals and plant operations.

“Spending millions of dollars to pollute our water with fluorosilicic acid, an industrial waste, would be dangerous and misguided. We can better serve Portland kids by increasing their access to dental care and prevention,” said Sierra Club member Sheila Golden, chair of Columbia Group’s Bull Run Task Force.

“For the sake of our children and our rivers, Sierra Club urges you to vote NO on acid fluoridation chemicals this May,” said Giedwoyn. “Sierra Club has been committed to healthy children for more than a century, and we want fewer chemicals in our water, not more.”

Sierra Club, founded by John Muir in 1892, is the nation’s oldest and largest environmental organization.

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Relevant references:

“The most commonly used additives are silicofluorides, not the fluoride salts used in dental products (such as sodium fluoride and stannous fluoride). Silicofluorides are one of the by-products from the manufacture of phosphate fertilizers.” National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences: “Fluoride in Drinking Water, A Scientific Review of EPA’s Standards” (2006). http://www.nao.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11571

PWB spending:  City of Portland Water Bureau, “Cost to Implement Fluoridation,” June 8, 2012,  on file; referenced in   oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/08/fluoride_group_secures_second.html