6
community news
september20
2018
We Serve
New Pacific Salmon Treaty
Be prepared to help the Scout Cabin
Agreement to Ensure Sustainable
Management of Region’s Iconic Fish
By J. Christopher McGrane
The parties to the Pacific Salmon Treaty
have negotiated new coast-wide salmon fishing
agreements. The Pacific Salmon Commission is
comprised of representatives from Canada, the
states of Oregon, Washington, and Alaska, and
Northwest and Columbia River Treaty Tribes.
Commissioners from the United States and Can-
ada will now forward the agreements to their re-
spective governments for approval.
The 10-year agreement covers fishery
plans for Chinook, coho, and chum salmon stocks
from 2019 through 2028. The agreement is an up-
date to the 1985 Treaty, which defines the obliga-
tions of Canada and the United States to conduct
their respective fisheries in a manner that prevents
overfishing and allows each country to receive
benefits equivalent to the production of salmon
originating in each nation’s waters.
“I praise the efforts of the joint US/Can-
ada Pacific Salmon Commission for approving
strong recommendations to the Pacific Salmon
Treaty,” said Oregon Governor Kate Brown.
“Successful updates to the Pacific Salmon Treaty
through 2028 will help ensure long-term sustain-
able and healthy salmon populations that are vital
to the people of the Pacific Northwest, and to the
entire ecosystem.”
One of the most significant aspects of
the new agreement is management of Chinook
salmon, in particular those listed under the United
States Endangered Species Act (ESA). This in-
cludes ESA-listed stocks from Puget Sound and
the Columbia River basin. Many of these stocks
migrate north into marine waters in southeast
Alaska and British Columbia, where they are
caught in marine fisheries in those regions.
Under the agreement, catches of Chinook
in southeast Alaska will be reduced by up to 7.5
percent from recent levels when poor Chinook re-
turns are expected. Canada will reduce Chinook
catches by up to 12.5 percent under these condi-
tions. The agreement also includes provisions in
other west coast fisheries to ensure that harvests
remain strongly tied to stock conservation objec-
tives. As a result of these fishery changes, the
abundance of several Chinook stocks returning to
Oregon waters will increase.
“Salmon management is very complex,
so it’s no surprise that reaching an agreement
was also complex and sometimes difficult,” said
Oregon Commissioner Rick Klumph. “However,
all of the commissioners understand the critical
importance of the treaty process in managing our
salmon stocks. I am proud that we were all able to
work through the issues and reach an agreement
that is good for Oregonians and their salmon re-
source.”
The United States commissioners will
begin finalizing requests for federal funding
needed to implement the new agreements within
the next month. This funding will be needed to
support Puget Sound efforts to improve and pro-
tect habitat and implement hatchery conserva-
tion programs. The funding will also be critical
to commitments to science and stock assessment
needed to successfully manage these complex in-
terjurisdictional fisheries. Finally, the funding re-
quest will include provisions to support recovery
efforts for endangered Southern Resident Killer
Whales.
The Scout Cabin in Hawkins Park, nestled as it is amidst
towering redwoods and overlooking Rock Creek, was originally
built back in 1928 and rebuilt following the 1996 flood. This
piece of Vernonia history provides a gathering place for local
youth groups, town halls, and family functions.
Most recently the Scout Cabin was the venue for the
“Vernonia has a Big Heart” fundraiser held for Kendra Stefan
on Saturday, September 15. The event reminded me of how this
misty little town beside the Nehalem River pulls together to help
someone in need or fix a problem. As a member of your local
Lions Club I have often seen this public spirit in person as my
fellow Lions and members of the community have given their
time, effort, or hard earned money in service of Vernonia and its
residents. It makes me proud to call this place my home.
The Friends of the Scout Cabin, a 501 (c)(3) non profit
organization that runs the cabin, recently approached the Lions
Club for help with the cost of replacing the decking around the
cabin. The price tag is $17,000 and the Vernonia Lions have
agreed to donate $1,000 toward that cost. In the community spir-
it that this town is known for, the Lions are challenging all of the
other local clubs and businesses to donate what they can to help.
Contact information for how and where to make your donation
can be found at http://www.CabinInVernonia.com.
Your local Lions Club has been serving Vernonia and
the surrounding area for over 70 years. We serve by providing
eye glasses and hearing aids to seniors and those on a low in-
come. We serve by making regular donations to the Vernonia
Cares Food Bank and Vernonia Library. We serve by providing
eye exams for students and awarding scholarships to high school
seniors. We serve in big ways, like building the Hawkins Park
Gazebo or raising $20,000 to refurbish Dewey Pool, and in small
ways like annual road clean up, handing out Christmas baskets to
seniors, and placing flags on veterans’ graves.
Such is the Lions motto, “We Serve.” Folks interested in
joining the Lions Club are welcome to come to one of our meet-
ings, held at Mariolino’s. Meetings start at 6:30 pm on the first
and third Tuesday of each month.
On the Shelves
By Shannon Romtvedt
Now that the weather is changing and the rain is
finally coming down, you might be interested in
finding a dry place to spend time with kids. The
Library has storytimes and special events (see
below), plus activities available anytime you have
a chance to pop in.
In the children’s area, there are magna-
tiles, blocks, duplos, a play kitchen, dollhouse,
coloring sheets, and various toys, puzzles, and
games. We have a selection of board games for
different age levels that can be played in the
Library or checked out to take home. There is
always a craft out on the table and a bin of legos
provided by request at the desk. We also have
DVDs and BOOKS! We love hearing parents read
with their kids.
If it’s been a while or a first visit, try
coming to the Library. You might be surprised
who you meet here or what your child takes
an interest in. Or text a friend to meet at the
Library before going to the park. We also have
membership passes to checkout for OMSI, Rice
Rock Museum, Shute Park Aquatic Center, and the
Oregon Historical Society Museum.
So come for a program, stay for a few
minutes to check out a book and DVD, or stay and
play for a couple of hours. We love to see people
of all ages use the Library.
Upcoming Events
An Evening with Christina M. Abt
Monday, October 8, 6:30 pm
New York Author of Crown Hill and a new historical
novel, Beauty & Grace, published in May 2018, 
Christina M. Abt will read from her latest novel,
talk about her writing process, and her inspiration
and research for Beauty & Grace.  Q & A and book
signing will follow.  Sponsored by the Friends of
the Vernonia Library.
Ongoing Programs
Writer’s Group
Thursday, September 20, 6-7:30 pm
3 rd Thursday of every month. For writers with all
levels of experience.
Book Discussion Group
Last Monday of every month, 5:30 pm. Discussion
for September 24: The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by
Ayana Mathis
Storytimes
Baby and Toddler Time
Mondays, 10:30-11:15 am
Songs, short stories, toys, and bubbles for 0-3.
Preschool Storytime
Fridays, 10:30-11:15 am
Stories and a craft/activity for up to age 5. Older
siblings welcome!
Did You Know? Placing Reserves
When movies and books are new, they don’t
spend a lot of time on our shelves. We may own
a title you are looking for, but it could be checked
out. Try placing a reserve so when it comes in,
you will get a text, call, or email to pick it up. Place
a hold with staff or try it yourself online. Visit our
online catalog by going to the city website http://
www.vernonia-or.gov/ and linking on the left
hand side to “Library Catalog.” Log in with your
card number and phone number to search for a
title and place a reserve.
Featured Titles: Banned Books Week,
September 23-29
Every year, the Library displays “Banned Books” to
support and celebrate Banned Books Week.
“Banned Books Week is an annual event
celebrating the freedom to read. Banned Books
Week was launched in 1982 in response to
a sudden surge in the number of challenges
to books in schools, bookstores, and
libraries. Typically held during the last week of
September, it highlights the value of free and
open access to information. Banned Books Week
brings together the entire book community —
librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists,
teachers, and readers of all types — in shared
support of the freedom to seek and to express
ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or
unpopular.”
Top (Nationally) Challenged Books of
2017 include: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher,
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by
Sherman Alexie, Drama by Raina Telgemeier, The
Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, George by Alex
Gino, Sex is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg, To
Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Hate U Give
by Angie Thomas, And Tango Makes Three by Peter
Parnell, and I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel.
The Library will have these books and
more on display during Banned Books Week,
along with information about why they were
challenged.
Hours & Contact Info
Mon, Wed, Fri 10 am – 5 pm
Tues & Thurs 1 pm – 7pm
Sat 10 am – 4 pm
Closed Sundays
Phone: (503) 429-1818
E-mail: library@vernonia-or.gov