2 B SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2015 B EACHWATCHERS , The Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST) will host a free training session in Florence on Saturday, June 6. COASST volunteers help make a difference for the envi- ronment by collecting data on beach-cast carcasses of marine birds on a monthly basis to BIRDERS NEEDED FOR SEABIRD SURVEY establish the baseline pattern of beached bird mortality on North Pacific beaches. Data collected help address important marine conservation issues and protect marine resources. Through an interactive, hands-on workshop, trainees will become acquainted with the custom COASST field guide, Beached Birds, and have a chance to try out their newly acquired identification skills on seabird species common to the North Pacific. The COASST training pro- vides volunteers with the tools to monitor for potential changes in the marine environ- ment and promote stewardship of local marine resources. COASST is a citizen science project of the University of Washington in partnership with state, tribal and federal agen- cies, environmental organiza- tions and community groups. COASST believes citizens of coastal communities are essen- tial scientific partners in moni- toring marine ecosystem health. By collaborating with citizens, natural resource man- agement agencies, and environ- mental organizations, COASST works to translate long-term monitoring into effective marine conservation solutions. Currently, more than 800 volunteers survey beaches in Washington, Oregon, California and Alaska. The training session will be held at Lane Community College Florence campus, 3149 Oak St., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Reserve your training spot by calling 206-221-6893 or email coasst@uw.edu. Florence Lions Club set to host 32nd annual Elliot Fun Bass Tournament this weekend The Florence-Siuslaw Lions Club has announced its 32nd annual Elliott Fun Bass Tournament to be held June 6 and 7. Two-person teams will fish from boats on Siltcoos Lake from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 6, and from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday, June 7. This is an open tournament that welcomes any anglers T AKE interested in friendly competi- tion. The cost of entering the tour- nament is $60 per team for early registration and $75 for registration on-site. Interested parties can contact Jerry Coffindaffer at 541-997-8108 or Mark Meyers at 541-999- 9104. There is a 49-team limit. PRECAUTIONS : Sitting around a campfire is one of the special times we all enjoy, but campfires are also a major cause of wildfires. May is Wildfire Awareness Month, and Keep Oregon Green, the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal, and the Oregon Department of Forestry urge Oregonians to follow these basic outdoor safety tips: • Know before you go — Call your local forestry or fire district to learn if there are any current campfire restrictions at your recreation destination. An interactive map of Oregon’s The tournament is headquar- tered at Ada Fishing Camp. Weigh-ins are at noon and 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. on Sunday. All fish are released back into the lake. The last practice day is Saturday, May 30. Trophies are awarded for the first 10 places in the tourna- ment, as well as in the cate- K EEP fire restrictions is available at www.keeporegongreen.org. • Kick the campfire habit this summer — Portable camp stoves are a safer option to campfires at any time of year. Areas that prohibit campfires outside maintained camp- grounds with established fire pits will often allow the use of camp stoves. • Select the right spot — Where campfires are allowed, avoid building the fire near your tent, structures, vehicles, shrubs and trees, and be aware of low-hanging branches over- profit organizations, local gov- ernments, and others to propose projects that restore water- sheds, decommission or main- tain roads, control noxious weeds, or otherwise improve the condition of the Forest. Proposed projects need not be implemented on Forest Service lands, but must show a benefit to national forest food booth. Tickets for a fundraiser raffle will be available. The raffle is for merchandise donated by local area merchants. The money raised provide two scholarships to graduating high school students each year — the Dale Libby Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Joann Coffindaffer Scholarship Fund — as well as support for vari- ous charitable activities under- taken by the Club. The raffle will be Sunday, June 7, at 12:15 p.m., following the trophy presentation. The Florence Lions invite everyone to come out to Siltcoos Lake on Sunday morn- ing for the awards presentation and raffle. YOUR CAMPFIRE FROM BECOMING A WILDFIRE head. Clear the site down to miner- al soil, at least five feet on all sides, and circle your campfire site with rocks. Store your unused firewood a good dis- tance from the fire. • Keep your campfire small — A campfire is less likely to escape control if it is kept small. A large fire may cast hot embers long distances. Add firewood in small amounts as existing material is consumed. • Attend your campfire at all times — A campfire left unat- tended for only a few minutes S IUSLAW N ATIONAL F OREST CORVALLIS — In response to the two-year reauthorization by Congress of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act in April, the Siuslaw National Forest is soliciting project pro- posals to be funded under Title II of the act. The federal legislation encourages individuals, non- gories of “Saturday Big Fish,” “Sunday Big Fish,” “Women’s Tournament Big Fish,” and “Youth Big Fish.” Optional Big Fish Pools and Option Pool also are available. During these two days, teams are treated to a chili lunch. In addition, the Lions Club is offering its famous hamburgers and hot dogs at its can grow into a costly, damag- ing wildfire. Staying with your campfire from start to finish until dead out is required by state law, to ensure that any escaped sparks or embers can be extinguished quickly. • NEVER use gasoline or other accelerants (flammable or combustible liquids) to start or increase your campfire. Once the fire is ignited, wait until the match is cold and then discard it in the fire. • Always have water and fire tools on site — Have a shovel and a bucket of water nearby to extinguish any escaped embers. When you are ready to leave, drown all embers with water, stir the coals, and drown again. Repeat until the fire is dead out. If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave. • Burn only wood — State regulations prohibit the open burning of any material that creates dense, toxic smoke or noxious odors. • Escaped campfires are costly — The Oregon Department of Forestry spent more than $3.3 million in 2014 to suppress unattended and escaped campfires. State law requires the proper clearing, building, attending and extin- guishing of open fires any time of year. A first-time citation carries a $110 fine. If your campfire spreads out of control, you are responsible for the cost of fire suppression. This can range from a few hundred to thou- sands of dollars. During Wildfire Awareness Month visit the Keep Oregon Green website, www.keepore gongreen.org, for other wildfire prevention tips. SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT FOR PROJECT PROPOSALS resources. Project proposals are due electronically by 5 p.m., July 2. Application forms, instruc- tions, and submission guide- lines can be found online at www.go.usa.gov/38CbB. “The reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools is excel- lent news for the Oregon coun- ties and numerous communities that partner with the Siuslaw National Forest,” said Jerry Ingersoll, forest supervisor of the 630,000 acre forest. Eligible project proposals submitted to the forest will be reviewed by the Siuslaw Resource Advisory Committee, a balanced and diverse group of stakeholders representing local communities, industry, recre- ational interests, environmental groups, elected officials, and more. Following their review in September, the committee will supply Jerry Ingersoll with a list of projects recommended for funding. “The resource advisory com- mittee is a crucial part of the process of funding projects under the Secure Rural Schools Act,” said Ingersoll. “We recruit continuously for ener- getic and interested people that represent the diversity of our state and community. Please let us know if you are interested in serving.” More information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/main/pts/ home. PARTS CONSIGNMENTS SERVICE BUD’S UPHOLSTERY Boat Tops & Cars Licensed Bonded Insured (541) 997-6977 (541) 999-0896 • Complete Auto & Boat Interiors • Canvas Work 10 am-6 pm Mon-Sat. P.O. Box 31,000 Be ready for Summer. 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