Come Celebrate Public Lands Day!!!

Come celebrate Public Lands Day with this fun event for the whole family. Save the date Saturday, September 26th!!!

Only an hour drive from Portland, this is a great way to get outside and improve an awesome public recreational area and learn more about the scenic Wilson River and amazing Tillamook State Forest.

9am – meet at Tillamook Forest Center (mp 21 on Hwy 6)

10am-1pm – River Clean-Up!

1pm – Free Lunch Party!!!!

Please RSVP to jeff.hickman@sierraclub.org

I hope to see you all there! I am taking this opportunity to stay out on the coast and go fishing offshore on Sunday, cant wait!

Thanks!!!

Another chance to stand up for what you know is right

When they met in June they increased the cut and stated they wanted Greatest Permanent Value (GPV) redifined by this Spring. We can only guess they are pushing for GPV to be maximum timber, mudslides and descimated rivers.This meeting they are set to approve the plan revision which would increase clear-cutting to maximum rotaion on 70% of our state forest lands. That is an increase of 100,000 acres of forest in the Tillamook alone!

Everyone this is it, we are getting far too close to the edge for comfort. We saw it happen across Nor Cal and the Oly Penn, we cannot let this happen in Oregon!!! Not on our watch. You can help.

Show up even if you are not interested in testifying, this one will be big.

Contact me with any questions. Hope to see you there. Its time to battle!

FREE – Fishing Movie Party!!!!!!!!!!

Come on down to this awesome free party Thursday evening. Enjoy not only free beer and snacks but also an amazing slide show of Tillamook State Forest rivers, and the first Portland Screening of the fishing movie Hustle and Fish!!! Not to be missed, this will be a super fun night. Be there!!!

Thursday, Aug 27th 7:30-9:00pm

1821 se ankeny st, PDX

Hustle and Fish Movie night w/ Tillamook Rivers Slideshow

For questions contact: jeff.hickman@sierraclub.org

or call (503) 238-0442 x 306

Fishing and Conservation Groups Petition to Ensure Recovery of Fish and Wildlife on the Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests

Jeff Hickman surrounded by other concerned Anglers for North Coast Rivers (ANCR) testifying before the Oregon Board of Forestry at the  June 3rd meeting in Salem

Last week, the Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club, Northwest Guides and Anglers Association, Pacific Rivers Council, Wild Salmon Center, the Association of Northwest Steelheaders, Coast Range Association, Native Fish Society and the Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal Petition with the Oregon Board of Forestry requesting that the Board reverse its decision to increase clear cutting on the Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests and engage in an open, transparent and scientific process to pursue a management approach consistent with applicable law.

On June 3rd, the Oregon Board of Forestry voted to increase the areas open to clear cutting from 50% to 70% of the Tillamook and Clatsop state forests. The Board’s decision authorizes increased clear cutting of thousands of acres of diverse, native forests, which are rare in the North Coast range, including up to 70% of some key salmon “anchor” watersheds. Current state law requires high standards of protection for the streams in the Tillamook and Clatsop forests, which are still recovering from the unsustainable timber harvests and related road building of the past.

While the law requires that the Board’s decision result in a high probability of maintaining and restoring aquatic habitat, state scientists found that the proposal had a low probability of keeping many key salmon basins on a positive trajectory. According to Bob Van Dyk of the Wild Salmon Center, “The Oregon Coast Coho Conservation Plan sets achievable goals to restore aquatic habitat. However, much like the failed Western Oregon Plan Revisions proposed by the Bush Administration, the Board of Forestry chose politics over science and ignored the legal requirements for ensuring the recovery of native fish and wildlife.”

The group’s petition also recounts how the Board violated its own rules regarding transparency and openness at its recent meeting to discuss the decision. Senator Jackie Dingfelder and numerous other Oregonians had written the Board to try to dissuade it from making this move. Chair Blackwell failed to share these letters with the rest of the Board and allotted a mere thirty minutes to a crowded room of citizens who came to testify. Donald Fontenot, a volunteer with the Sierra Club, was dismayed, saying “The Board of Forestry showed its allegiance to the timber industry by steamrolling over the public, ignoring the best available science, and making a political decision to prioritize timber production rather than looking out for best interests of our state forests and the public who owns them.”

The Tillamook and Clatsop state forests that are affected by this decision are the largest publicly owned coastal rainforest south of the Olympics and home to some of the healthiest remaining runs of wild fish in the lower 48 states. These forests and the health of their watersheds face an uncertain future if the Board’s recommendations are allowed to proceed unchallenged.

View the petition at: www.crag.org (Crag Law Center)

View the Board’s decision at: http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/BOARD/BOF_060309_Meeting.shtml

View the Oregonian story here: http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/07/groups_appeal_clearcutting_dec.html

And this awesome story from the Forest Grove News Times:

http://www.forestgrovenewstimes.com/news/story.php?story_id=124945172898614000

Summer Solstice in The Fish Mecca

Well, slowly the swelling has gone down in my stripping hand and I have mostly regained the use of my fingers. My hands are uncurling from the molded shape of my 9wt cork. I am no longer gripping my flask tightly in fear of it slipping from my weakened hands. The reel handle dings on my knuckles and deep line burns have scabbed over and are fading. This along with the relentless, blood-thirsty mosquitoes whose insatiable diet was replenished by copious amounts of Irish whiskey didn’t help the hands out any either.

My stomach is still killing me from the non-stop laughter from the Alaska West tundra madness. The fictional Fowler fishing adventures show, trout back-flips for Mr. Hanky and ridiculously awesome picnic table ninja kicks. The T-Bone hands and knees crawl behind the gazebo followed by a huge grin and blast-off fist pumping was pretty funny too.

These leftover pains are a constant reminder of the awesomeness that was last week. It was one of the best I have ever known.

These are the things that happen when you take a trip in an attempt to curb your sick cravings. Thing is, you cant ever get enough. No matter how many obese chrome volunteers grab hold of your swinging fly (or tea bag) you always need more. Just one more cast, one more tug, one more “BLAST OFF”, one more blistering run deep into the backing.

But more than the killer fishing and amazing scenery, this trip was about letting loose. Un-caging the inner-ball-of-energy that needs to come out every once in a while. That is exactly what happens when you journey with friends to the land of the midnight sun during the longest days of the year. Drinking, laughing and 1:30am gravel races back to the tent only to forcefully peel your eyelids back open at 6:30am and do it all over again. This is just part of the madness. It was a whole week without any responsibilities. The fish were really just a bonus, a bonus that was totally mind blowing.

I remembered to pull the camera out a few times. Here are a few of the moments documented.

A little photo essay for you

I wish more of you could have joined us for this epic week that begins in just a few short hours at the legendary Anchorage Puffin Inn.

There is one buddy in particular who may have needed this break more than any of us who was unable to make it. I rest assured knowing he continues to build his fish-karma-bank to be cashed in on an epic later date. Mitchell, the restrictor plates on the mega-big bottles of brown will be removed in your honor. Wish you could be there with us. Next time you cant miss it!

For the rest of you, here is a taste of what we may encounter in the next 8 days………this is gonna be epic!

The Big Decision We’ve All Been Waiting For

Everyone needs to come and stand up for what they believe

There hasnt been a major change in the states Forest Management Plan since 2001. There will be a major change made on June 3rd. This will be a BIG Board of Forestry meeting in Salem, the legislature and the governor are both putting pressure on them to make a major plan revision. Salmon Anchor Habitats are on the table. They can be permanently protected or permanently lost. From the sounds of it, the board is leaning towards a drastic increase in timber harvest.

We cannot let this happen, these rivers and their salmon and steelhead runs are far too valuable to gamble away for a short term gain of timber revenues.  The poor economy is not an excuse to cut more. Timber prices are at rock bottom and that is more of a reason to leave trees standing and stop wasting our public forests.

This will be a fun rally for the whole family with fly casting in the creek, BBQ lunch and music on the lawn out front of the meeting building.

If you can bring your boat too. With the parking lot full of boats we will deliver a clear message about the economic impact that sportfishing has on rural Oregon.

Please join us, I will be arranging carpools to Salem. Shoot me a note if you are interested.

We need you to come and speak your mind or just show up in support of clean rivers, see you there!!!

Join us on Facebook: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/261770

and: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/246250

They are almost here!

Big bug time is just around the corner, something about salmon flies that are just freakin awesome. Here is a short video to get you fired up for some redsides on those big daddy dryflies.

Change in season

Well it is officially Spring. It has already been almost two weeks since I bid my fond farewell for the year to my last winter fish and my favorite mossy rivers of spring. It is nice to make that last trip of the year and know I will let those runs rest until next winter. My way of taking it all in and thanking the river for another amazing season full of experience. This year was maybe tougher than others  in the past, but I cant complain. I feel incredibly lucky for ALL the time I was able to spend on the water and I found some unbelievable fish while doing it.

It was perfect that on my last day of the season I found some fish but they all managed to elude me in some way, before I could bring them to hand. Almost as though to make me that much more anxious for what next winter may bring. Sometimes it is better to not win, it puts things in perspective for me. While out on the water we are the guest, and we are at the mercy of what the host will be so kind to grant us with.

Legal Update on Oregon’s State Forests………………. ………………..incase you were curious

Please read this mornings editorial in the Oregonian:

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/04/oregons_state_forests_are_not.html

LOTS OF NEWS ABOUT THE STATE FORESTS!!!

TWO BILLS IN SALEM — COME AND TESTIFY — APRIL 21 at 8AM and 3PM

A VERY BAD BILL….APRIL 21 at 8AM

HOUSE BILL 3072 would change the purpose of the state forests to make the focus timber production.  The current law calls for the state forests to be managed for “healthy, productive, and sustainable forest ecosystems that over time and across the landscape provide a full range of social, economic, and environmental benefits to the people of Oregon.”   HB 3072 would be a disaster for the search for balanced forest management in Oregon.

HEARING SET:   TUESDAY, APRIL 21 at 8AM in front of the House Agriculture Committee.  And it looks like this bill will easily pass the committee with strong Democratic support.  We need to make our voices heard.  So come to the hearing if you can, or email key representatives…

SEND AN EMAIL TO…

Committee Chair  Clem:   rep.brianclem@state.or.us

House Speaker Hunt:  rep.davehunt@state.or.us

And Copy Committee Administrator Patrino:  beth.patrino@state.or.us

OR CALL Chair Clem…  503-986-1421

THE MESSAGE:  We ask that you oppose HB 3072.  The state forests should be managed for a broad and balanced mix of values.  Timber production should not have primacy over other values.

If you are someone who gets out in the forest, let them know what you love about the Tillamook and Clatsop.

A VERY GOOD BILL…APRIL 21 at 3PM

HOUSE BILL 3249 would give the Board of Forestry the power create natural resource conservation areas.  This bill is modeled after a similar law in Washington State, where DNR manages 2% of their land as formal preserves or conservation areas.  This bill is in the House Environment and Water Committee, and a key vote on that committee is likely Rep. Debbie Boone, representative of the North Coast.  Much of the state forest is in her district.  HB 3249 would add a valuable tool to the Board of Forestry’s toolkit.  The bill has no fiscal impact, because it creates no conservation areas; it simply gives the Board the power to act decisively for conservation.

HEARING SET:  TUESDAY, APRIL 21 at 3PM in front of the House Environment and Water Committee.  We need Representative Boone to support this bill — if you live in her district, it is really important that you contact her.

SEND AN EMAIL TO…

Committee Chair Cannon:  rep.bencannon@state.or.us

Representative Boone:  Boone.Rep@state.or.us

And Copy Committee Administrator Patrino:  beth.patrino@state.or.us

THE MESSAGE:  Support HB 3249.  The Board of Forestry should have the power to give a clear and long-term conservation focus to special places on state forests.  Some ODF staff have suggested that the Board might have such authority now, but it sure isn’t clear, and this would make it clear.

WILL THE BOARD OF FORESTRY WEIGH IN?

The Board is meeting to discuss HB 3072, and they could take a public position.  If you want to hear the call or give testimony, there will apparently be something set up at ODF headquarters in Salem at 10:30 on Monday.  See you there.

BOARD OF FORESTRY MEETING APRIL 24 in GRANTS PASS.

The Department will present a species of concern strategy to replace the draft HCP, but the new strategy was designed with a target for older forest far below the current target.  Today, 50% of the forest is heading for older forest (or at least it was 50%, see next item).  The new species of concern strategy is premised on 30% heading for older forest, thus opening the way for far more clear cutting.  JUNE 3 still looks like the big meeting for the scientific review that compares the current approach with the high-cut option.  Should be interesting.

STATE FORESTER REDUCES PROTECTED AREAS BY 50,000 ACRES

State Forester Marvin Brown tossed another 50,000 acres into the clear cut pool.  Why?  The counties want it, that’s why.  There was no scientific review of this reduction of environmental protections — not even a brief memo from the area biologist considering the effects.  (And this when timber prices are at the lowest level in decades, too!)

This science-free move hurts the Department of Forestry’s credibility and undermines the Board of Forestry’s attempt to be taken seriously on broader forest policy.  Forester Brown clearly has the authority to reduce the protections — he has now lowered the target for older forest to the lowest level allowed without a rule-making process.  But his authority aside, when he makes such a move without a scientific assessment of the effect on key species, the reputations of both the Board and the Department suffer.

GOVERNOR REMAINS SILENT

I guess the Governor has enough problems already, but the Board of Forestry sure could use his help right now fending off the chainsaws in the legislature.  Last legislative session the Gov. threatened to veto a bill that would have mandated a timber focus on the state forests, and the Gov. nudged the Board to consider whether to change the current plan.  Unfortunately, he then left the Board without a chairperson for a year, and he left two members serving for many months with expired terms.  Now that we finally have a full Board and a new chair, the Governor needs to tell the legislature to give the Board time to get it right.  The Board has requested a scientific review of various management options, and I think there may be a big decision in June or July (per above).

Together we can fight for and save what we live for