"It was the perfect storm of conditions for fish"

The Wall Street Journal takes a stab at understanding our finned friends in the Pacific.

"The main reason for the population surge, scientists here say, is a brief period of cooling in the Northern Pacific ocean in 2008. Cooler currents brought in fatter plankton, which salmon and steelhead smolts thrive on, said ODFW spokesman Rick Swart. Temperatures have since warmed up again."

Tillamook Steelhead and Salmon Need Your Help

Logging on the North Fork of the Trask, looking NW across Hembre Ridge towards the Wilson River. How many clear-cuts can you count? This photo was taken last summer. Yet timber interests want to double harvest? Photo courtesy of Jeff Mishler

Oregon's rural counties, backed by the timber industry, have introduced legislation (HB 3072)to help them double timber harvest from the Tillamook & Clatsop state forests. This after state forest managers suggested a reduction of harvest due to unsustainable logging already underway.

You can help!  Become informed by following this and that and thensome.

And, write letters in opposition to HB 3072 to these legislators:

Brian Clem, chair (Salem)

rep.brianclem@state.or.us

Arnie Roblan, past chair (Coos Bay)

rep.arnieroblan@state.or.us

 IMPORTANT: all emails to the above should include a cc: to the Committee Administrator, Beth Patrino

beth.patrino@state.or.us

Stay tuned for more. This will be a tough battle, but one worth fighting.