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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 8, 2016)
THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 3 FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2016 Business & Ag — Weekly Hay Report — California Condor CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 In January 2014, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) addressed letters to both the California Depart- ment of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), stating that the “…purpose of this letter is to address formal and informal inquiries that we have received for several years regarding establishment of a Califor- nia Condor (Gymnogyps Califonianus) release site in northern California and/ or Oregon…The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Ser- vice) has contributed for several years to the Yurok Tribe’s wildlife program with the potential for the development of such a program in mind…” The letter mentions the participation in the Califor- nia Condor Recovery Pro- gram, of the Oregon Zoo, one of only a few captive breeding sites for the Condors, and, the only one in the state. The Oregon Zoo’s Johnsson Center for Wildlife Conservation, a 52-acre, isolated facility in rural Clackamas County that first received Condors in 2003, can house up to 53 of the birds, including 11 breeding pairs. The Condor, the first spe- cies listed under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, consisted of a population of 22 birds in the wild in 1982, and 1987 was the first year they were captured for breeding programs. By the time the first Condors arrived at the Jonsson Center, in 2003, the captive population was 131, with 83 in the wild (the first release was in 1992, however, the Oregon Zoo has not released any into the state). Today, the population is more than 400, with the majority in the wild. The USFWS, in the same letter addressed to both the California and Oregon Departments of Fish and Wildlife, attached a list of issues (dated 12/30/2013) associated with the issu- ance of a recovery permit for a new release site, including: state wildlife agency support; fund- ing and management responsibility; coordina- tion/cooperation with the overall Condor Recovery Program partners; ad- dressing threats, especially lead; evaluation of habitat potential; flight pen and release site; and permitting and other environmental compliance. A reoccurring theme in documentation regarding threats to the Condor is lead ammunition poison- ing, either directly, or indirectly, through inges- tion from animal carcasses, for example. In its 5-year review of the listing status of the Condor, however, the USFWS identified and assessed 13 threats, includ- ing habituation, power lines and poles, vehicle traffic, and firefighting dip tanks, in addition to lead poisoning. The process to release California Condors isn’t a quick one, because it requires a number of permits, according to the USFWS, including, but not limited to: a recovery permit (ESA section 10(a) (1)(A) permit), a Migratory Bird Treaty Act permit, a Federal Bird Marking and Salvage permit, and any required state permits. In addition, a number of environmental reviews are required, including, but not limited to, a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review, consulta- tion under section 7 of the ESA regarding issuance of a recovery permit, and any required state-level environmental compliance review. In addition, a pos- sibility is that the USFWS could choose to amend the recovery plan prior to approving a new northern release site. On March 4, 2014, The Yurok Tribe, of north- ern California, signed a Memorandum of Under- standing (MOU) with the USFWS, the National Park Service (NPS), the California Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Ventana Wildlife So- ciety (VWS), providing a framework for the coopera- tion and encouragement of close coordination between the parties, the goal of which is to support proac- tive conservation efforts for the Condor, according to the MOU. The Condor, known as “Prey-go-neesh” to the Tribe, is “…one of our most sacred animals,” according to Yurok Tribe Chairman Thomas P. O’Rourke, Sr. Vari- ous Condor feathers, in particular the large wing feathers (the wingspan of a California Condor can be around 10 feet), are used in the construction of ceremo- nial regalia, and are a key part of ceremonies, such as the Jump Dance, and the White Deer Skin Dance, according to the May 2014 issue of Yurok Today. The Tribe’s ancestral ter- ritory, home to some of the last remaining old-growth redwood trees--ideal nest- ing for the Condors--is located south of the border between California and Oregon, and it is the center of the historical Condor range, which spanned from British Columbia to Baja California, Mexico, ac- cording to Yurok Today. The March MOU included the following language, which states the Tribe’s position regarding the release of Condors: Friday, December 18, 2015 — Eastern Oregon *Report unchanged from last week due to holiday. Prices trended generally steady compared to week ago prices. The upcoming holidays have slowed sales. Many producers have decided to hold on to their hay for now, in hopes for higher prices. Snow has hit some of the hay producing areas. Tons Price Range Wtd Avg Alfalfa —Large Square Premium 320 190.00-190.00 190.00 Alfalfa —Large Square Good 245 125.00-125.00 125.00 Two weeks ago: Timothy Grass — Large Square, Good 65 200.00-200.00 200.00 Timothy Grass— Small Square, Good 5 200.00-200.00 200.00 USDA Market News Service—AMS.USDA.gov — Cattle Market Report — Submitted Photo. The California condor, sacred to the Yurok tribe. “WHEREAS, the parties agree that further assess- ment of condor habitat in the greater Yurok Ancestral Territory and its histori- cal range in north coastal California should be under- taken, guided, and based upon sound science, up to and inclusive of the experi- mental release of condors to clarify the potential for success and identify chal- lenges to condor recovery in the region.” In June of 2014, ODFW and Oregon State Univer- sity (OSU) collaborated on an effort to survey hunters in the state regarding their use and knowledge of lead ammunition, a national is- sue, because of the impacts to wildlife and humans, ac- cording to ODFW Wildlife Division Administrator Ron Anglin. The 8-page survey was sent to 4,200 hunters (they were chosen at random, in different re- gions in the state). “There is no proposal to ban or limit use of lead ammuni- tion in Oregon, but devel- opments outside of Oregon could affect the use of lead ammunition within the state. The Environmental Protection Agency was petitioned to ban the use of lead in ammunition on a nationwide basis and there is the potential of condors being restored in northern California,” he said. According to ODFW Director Roy Elicker, later that year, a survey of the non-hunting public was conducted. “The survey effort was prompted due to the increasing effort to restore California condors throughout their historic range, which includes por- tions of Oregon,” he said. Anglin said, of the lead survey, “I haven’t posted any results yet. The main analysis is being done by OSU, and they are work- ing on it this winter. The department is in the final stages of finishing up a high level of series of sum- mary graphs, and hopes to have that out soon.” “An outright ban on the use of lead ammunition for hunting could have a significant impact on hunting, wildlife manage- ment and ODFW funding. Hunting is an important tool for managing wildlife populations. Additionally, revenue from the sale of hunting and fishing licens- es and the related federal excise tax on firearms, ammunition, fishing rods, tackle and other equipment provides more than forty- percent of the department’s funding…The survey ef- fort is not, as some allege, the first step towards a ban on lead ammunition…The use of lead ammunition for hunting is legal in Oregon with the general exception of waterfowl hunting. The department sees no reason to change that. A well-de- signed voluntary program should be sufficient to meet the USFWS require- ments to address lead exposure should condors appear in Oregon,” Elicker said. OSU research suggests, in addition to areas in western Oregon as possible ideal future release sites for the Condors, the Hells Canyon area, according to detailed models which include factors such as vegetation, proximity to water sources, prey, cliffs, etc. ODFW East Region Manager Bruce Eddy said, “The potential for condors to reinhabit the West has been a subject of conversa- tion for some time. I’m unaware of plans to release them in Oregon…I’ve talked to others about the potential for condors to migrate to Oregon (includ- ing Hells Canyon) if the Yurok Tribe proceeds with their northern California reintroduction plans. Most biologists think it likely.” If released from northern California as planned, once Condors appear in Oregon, they would have the full protection of the federal ESA, Elicker said. Vale BLM releases EA on weeds The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Vale District is asking for public input on two envi- ronmental documents. The first of these docu- ments is an Environmen- tal Assessment (EA). This document analyzes the potential effects of expanding the District’s integrated weed manage- ment program to make an additional ten herbi- cides available for use on non-native invasive plants across the District. The analysis also ad- dresses other invasive species and noxious weed treatment methods which could be used either sepa- rately or as a component of programs which includes the proposed added herbi- cides. These methods include prescribed fire, targeted grazing, seeding, planting, and seed bed preparation. The overall goal of the treatments analyzed in the EA is to increase the ef- ficacy of weed treatments and to improve restoration efforts. The second document is a draft of the conclusions of this EA—a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). All of these documents are available for viewing at http://1.usa.gov/1mwy1HW under the documents link on the left side of the page. Comments can be submit- ted electronically or by mail to District Manager, Vale District BLM, 100 Oregon Street, Vale, OR 97918. Email: blm_or_in- vasive_plant_ea_com- ments@blm.gov Subject: “Vale Invasive Plant Management EA To be considered, com- ments must be postmarked by February 5, 2016. Wednesday, December 16, 2015 Vale, Oregon Cattle sold through the auction: 1,528 *Report unchanged from last week due to holiday. Steer Calves 300-400# Bulk 171.00 - 196.00 Top 228.00 400-500# Bulk 162.00 - 203.00 Top 216.00 500-600# Bulk 151.00 - 180.00 Top 180.75 Heifer Calves 300-400# Bulk 151.00 - 176.00 Top 178.00 400-500# Bulk 137.00 - 172.00 Top 175.00 500-600# Bulk 136.00 - 160.00 Top 160.50 600-700# 700-800# 800-900# 900-1,000# Yearling Steers Bulk 134.00 - 162.00 Top 163.50 Bulk 128.00 - 139.00 Top 152.75 Bulk 123.00 - 136.00 Top 137.00 Bulk 120.00 - 129.00 Top 135.00 Yearling Heifers 600-700# Bulk 122.00 - 144.00 Top 146.50 700-800# Bulk 118.00 - 131.00 Top 132.00 800-900# Bulk 112.00 - 123.00 Top 124.50 900-1,000# Bulk N/A Top N/A Thin Shelly Cows 37.00 - 47.00 Butcher Cows 48.00 - 55.00 Butcher Bulls 52.00 - 62.00 Stock Cows Yng. 1175.00 - 1475.00 Younger Hfrts. 74.00 - 111.00 Stock Cows Older. - 935.00 - 1125.00 ProducersLivestock.com 541-473-3136 — Log Price Report — Price per 1,000 board feet: Northeast Oregon Doug Fir is $415.00/mbf White fir is $365.00/mbf Ponderosa Pine is brought sold on diameter splits 6 to 11 inch dib $300 to $310/MBF 12 to 17 inch dib $350 to $375/MBF 18 to 23 inch dib $400 to $430/MBF 24 inch plus dib $450 to $500/MBF DIB is diameter inside bark at small end of log. MBF is thousand board feet lumber, net scale. People interested in selling logs should call and get specific quotes from saw mills. Courtesy of Arvid Andersen, Andersen Forestry Consulting — Precious Metals Report — Price per ounce, USD Gold: 1,093.30 Silver: $14.00 Platinum: $876.25 Palladium: $509.35 Bloomberg.com — Ag Commodities — Corn: $353.25/bu/USD Wheat: $462.75/bu/USD Soybeans: $864.75/bu/USD Oats: $212.00 bu/USD Rough Rice: $11.83/cwt/USD Canola: $486.10 CAD/mwt Live Cattle: $163.53/lb./USD Feeder Cattle: $165.45/lb./USD Lean Hogs: $60.83/lb./USD Bloomberg.com