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THE ASTORIAN • THuRSdAy, MAy 12, 2022
OPINION
editor@dailyastorian.com
KARI BORGEN
Publisher
Founded in 1873
DERRICK DePLEDGE
Editor
SHANNON ARLINT
Circulation Manager
JOHN D. BRUIJN
Production Manager
OUR VIEW
Return to evenhanded salmon management
I
n Astoria in April, the Oregon
Fish and Wildlife Commission
learned there’s still plenty of life
in commercial fishing. This may
have come as a surprise, consider-
ing how some sport fishing groups
have mischaracterized the industry
as irrelevant.
Since Washington state and Ore-
gon co-manage Columbia River
fisheries, the commission’s policies
take on great importance for all who
value the continuing economic and
social benefits of traditional indus-
tries. Of these, salmon fishing is so
deeply entwined in local culture that
it may be said to comprise a key ele-
ment of our heritage.
Oregon commissioners visit-
ing local fish processors observed
a diverse workforce whose wages
make a meaningful contribution to
Clatsop County’s overall economy.
In a region now best known as a
tourist destination, commercial fish
harvests support middle-class fam-
ilies on both sides of the Columbia.
This fresh “fish money” is multiplied
several times as it goes into mak-
ing house payments, buying cars and
groceries and creating jobs in every-
thing from local schools to espresso
stands.
Under the leadership of Mary
Wahl, the commission’s chair-
woman, the commission is demon-
strating a willingness to address
complex issues confronting Ore-
gon’s natural resources. Their
approach to diversity, equity and
inclusion opportunities and commit-
ment to addressing climate change
and its impacts are laudable. The
strong commitment of today’s com-
mission to conservation is correct.
Still in need of a course correction
are misguided policies dictated by
former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber.
In 2012, Kitzhaber, with the sup-
port and assistance of sport fishing
advocates, usurped the commission’s
longstanding leadership and exper-
tise in managing Columbia River
salmon. The top-down Kitzhaber
Gillnetters, like this one working in Youngs Bay, have honed ways to target hatchery and net-pen salmon.
plan was an ill-disguised mandate
that took away the share of salmon
allocated to small businesses in the
form of gillnetting boats, attempting
to replace them with unproven alter-
native fishing methods and places.
The Kitzhaber plan purported
to consider the needs of all user
groups and to prevent serious eco-
nomic harm to any single commu-
nity. Instead, it incorporated tactics
familiar to marginalized communi-
ties throughout history — big prom-
ises and thoroughly inadequate
follow-through.
Harvest shares for traditional
small-boat commercial fishermen
were reduced up front in exchange
for assumed future production with-
out any guarantee of implementation
or success. Areas of the Columbia
River which supported traditional
fishermen for generations were
deemed to be off limits for all but
sportsmen. Millions of dollars were
spent testing new types of fishing
gear that proved to be ineffective
or too expensive. Traditional gear
carefully designed and used to tar-
get hatchery salmon was unilaterally
condemned. New off-channel fishing
areas were not identified or funded.
In short, the economic damage to
the lower river fishing families was
immediate and the remedies prom-
ised only existed in an uncertain and
unproven future.
Local communities thoroughly
appreciate sport fishermen. Their
purchases, charter trips and guide
fees, lodgings and friendly enthusi-
asm make tremendous contributions
to our economy and character.
But the Fish and Wildlife Com-
mission ought to correct an injus-
tice by returning salmon manage-
ment decisions to its well-qualified
staff, guided by overarching princi-
ples of equitable sharing, fair treat-
ment and social justice. By returning
to a balance that recognizes the value
of small commercial fishing boats,
commissioners can preserve the last
of these important small businesses
— boats that provide delicious
salmon for the majority of local non-
fishing families who may other-
wise never enjoy this iconic Pacific
Northwest delicacy.
Salem-based decision making
has generated a strong pushback in
rural counties, leading a number of
them to declare a wish to split off
into Idaho. Clatsop County clearly
will not be among them. But its resi-
dents are no strangers to the impres-
sion that decisions affecting them are
warped by urban politics and lack of
understanding. The commission can
aid in healing this divide.
At its core, Columbia River pol-
icy should be grounded in the same
values and urgency that guided ear-
lier decisions. It is not necessary or
required that commissioners become
experts on fisheries management to
form good policy. Oregon and Wash-
ington state fisheries staff is more
than capable of drafting rules that
will meet standards determined by
the two commissions.
We trust that opening a frank dis-
cussion with all stakeholders and
forming a policy based on fair treat-
ment, equity in both burden and ben-
efit, and social justice will lead the
Fish and Wildlife Commission to
a policy that they can be proud of
and under which all user groups can
thrive.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Personal stories
T
hank you, Nicole Bales for the May
7 article about Police Officer Kenny
Hansen, “With community resource officer,
Astoria invests in homeless outreach,” and
how he helped the O’Neal family.
The family had weathered personal
challenges and Officer Hansen helped the
couple get married and find housing. Con-
gratulations to the O’Neal’s son for making
the honor roll at school.
Please continue to write personal sto-
ries of the unhoused in Astoria to help us
understand their situations and needs.
JUDITH HUCK
Astoria
Fiscally smart
s a 15-year veteran of the fire service
in Arizona before moving here, I will
be voting “yes” for the Gearhart fire bond.
I have carefully reviewed the arguments
against. They all show a dangerous lack of
understanding of the physical needs and
realities of emergency fire and police oper-
ations, as well as the realities of the impact
a natural disaster will have on our local
communities.
Complaining about the location and its
distance from downtown ignores Gear-
hart’s growth, and where that growth will
continue to happen. It says you think the
lives and property of “Gin Ridge” resi-
dents and downtown are more important
than those living off Highlands Lane or the
streets west of U.S. Highway 101.
Most important, it ignores the primary
factor that impacts response times: where
the majority of the volunteer force cur-
rently lives, and will continue to be drawn
from in the future. Spoiler alert: It ain’t
downtown.
Opponents claim to “support” emer-
gency service personnel; but, all they can
see is the cost while, ironically, their con-
tinued opposition keeps driving the cost up.
A “no” vote will cause taxpayers to pay as
A
much, or more, to get less in the future, and
has the potential to expose the city to civil
liabilities.
More important, they are denying Gear-
hart fire and police the basic necessities
they currently need to safely and effectively
do their jobs. Nothing in the fire bond pro-
posal is extravagant or unnecessary.
A “yes” vote is the fiscally smart thing
to do.
BILL GRAFFIUS
Gearhart
Huge success
ur first 100 Women Who Care
Clatsop meeting was held May 2.
It was a huge success! We were able to
award $7,000-plus to Ten Fifteen Theater
to repair water damage to their
basement.
I attribute the success of this newly
formed organization to Kari Borgen and
Nicole Bales, who initiated a front-page
article. We now have 85 members.
Thank you to The Astorian for sup-
porting our local nonprofits. One hundred
women meeting four times a year donating
$100 each to a local nonprofit.
JAN JOHNSON
Astoria
O
Honor her memory
I
recently became aware of the passing of
Elizabeth Furse. She died about a year
ago. I wanted to honor her memory. She
served as the congresswoman for the 1st
Congressional District from Oregon from
1993 to 2000.
She was one of those people who
exuded magnetism of presence. I suspected
it was like being in the presence of an Elea-
nor Roosevelt or Clara Barton: powerful,
caring, kind; one who rallied other people
to good causes.
Prior to her service as a congress-
woman, she supported United Farm Work-
ers, and advocated for low-income women.
She helped restore federal status to the
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and
others. She was founder and director for
the Oregon Peace Institute, which advo-
cated for marginalized communities and
peaceful resolution of conflicts.
As a congresswoman, she co-spon-
sored an amendment to the 1994 Defense
Authorization Act, which she said “killed
an entire generation of nuclear weapons.”
Other accomplishments while in Congress
were support of light rail in Portland, fund-
ing of research for diabetes and early child-
hood issues.
Her interest in a clean environment led
to the creation of Clean Water Columbia
and Columbia Riverkeeper. She contin-
ued to participate in tribal issues and ani-
mal protection initiatives. She was also
co-owner of Helvetia Winery.
She truly was a constructive and a
lovely human being.
POLLY MINER
Warrenton
Second draft
D
ear Justice Samuel Alito: Right from
the first sentence of your major-
ity opinion draft, you had me. Thank you
so much for crushing almost 50 years of
reproductive choice for women.
As a grandmother of four young girls,
I am grateful that they will no longer bear
the burden I shouldered, freedom over
the fate of my own body. What a bother!
I leave my treasured girls’ organs in your
supreme all-knowing hands.
I do have a request, however, for inclu-
sion in a second draft. Please create a man-
datory national registry of all DNA-iden-
tified fathers of these children born as a
result of this decision.
If listed fathers are unwilling or unable
to provide at least 50% of all care and
monetary costs incurred by each of their
spawn through age 18, even if these fathers
are rapists, or, God forbid, grandpa, please
mandate the sterilization of these deadbeat
dads so we can completely break the cycle
of unwanted pregnancy.
As a taxpayer, I don’t wish to pay for
another man’s choice. Sound fair?
KATHLEEN ZUNKEL
Warrenton
Prudent
G
overnmental experience does not
make one the best at fulfilling the
needs of Clatsop County. A county com-
mission should have people from diverse
backgrounds and walks of life. The com-
mission relies upon the county staff and
hired experts to guide them in these gov-
ernmental decisions.
Being a long-term generational mem-
ber of this community qualifies any of us to
serve our county.
We are in uncertain times and costs
are continuing to rise. Our timber dol-
lars are potentially decreasing while the
need for services and funds to run our
new jail increase expenditures. How-
ever, revenue is not increasing at the same
rate. If we increase services by spending
down our fund balance, it is potentially
unsustainable.
For these reasons, I find it prudent to
vote for Nate Pinkstaff, as he brings a fresh
perspective, promotes transparency and
encourages others to be involved. I have
heard him speak about deregulation and
better communication and collaboration to
focus spending on needed services.
He has attended this year’s budget com-
mittee and been involved in commis-
sion meetings without being elected. He
is engaged and volunteers in our commu-
nity, which gives him an understanding of
its challenges, needs and the ability to find
creative solutions. He does not rely upon
his own life experiences alone, but also
draws from the experiences of others.
Vote Pinkstaff for county commission.
GRETCHEN ALLEN
Astoria