The Osprey: Clearcutting Paradise in Western Oregon
With one notable exception, this issue of The Osprey focuses on Oregon, which, as with the other West Coast states, once boasted fabled salmon and steelhead fishing (think Zane Gray and the North Umpqua River) but now is a shadow of its former glory and abundance.
This issue’s articles highlight a range of troubles that started wild fish on their trajectory of decline and continue to do so, most of which are human caused.
Of particular note is our cover story on a proposal to introduce a new management regime that is less protective of anadromous fish habitat on 2.6 million acres of Oregon and California lands that are scattered in a checkerboard pattern across the temperate rainforests of western Oregon. These lands contain 56 strong salmon and steelhead populations with the best wild fish habitat on 1,414 miles of streams encompassing 1.9 million acres. Nearly 2 million Oregonians get their drinking water from O&C forest streams. Seeing that this tremendous amount of salmon and steelhead habitat is protected has been called “one of the most important land conservation opportunities in our lifetimes,” by Wild Salmon Center President Guido Rahr.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
• CLEARCUTTING PARADISE
• CANADIAN PETRO STATE
• COASTAL CONSERVATION PLAN
• FORGOTTEN RIVERS
• BASS INVASION
• SUCTION DREDGE MINING
Other important Oregon wild fish stories highlighted in this issue include the expansion of smallmouth bass into headwater streams used by steelhead and salmon, fueled partially by the deliberate reintroduction of bass by fishery managers, along with climate change that creates better bass habitat in former coldwater reaches. There is also a report on Oregon’s efforts to protect fish habitat from damage caused by suction dredge gold mining, along with a timely critique of Oregon’s Coastal Multi-Species Conservation and Management Plan.
Finally, be sure to read Will Atlas’ compelling story on the sad decline B.C.’s Capilano and Seymour rivers. Once providing excellent steelhead angling near Vancouver, their healthy steelhead runs steadily decreased, the result of dam construction, overfishing and an overall neglect for what the fish needed to thrive.