TEN - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, June 16, 2021
Ione’s Fourth of July
celebration is a go
ODFW braces for drought
Fish stocking changes and possible emergency
regulations are expected
March and April of
2021 were among the dri-
est spring months since
the 1890s. Many streams
are already at 25 percent
of the flow that is typical
for this time of year, with
flows usually seen in early
summer observed in April
on some southern Oregon
streams, according to the
Oregon Department of Fish
and Wildlife.
ODFW is bracing for a
serious drought as summer
arrives, with the entire state
being impacted. Currently,
72 percent of the state is in
severe or extreme drought
status according to the U.S.
Drought Monitor.
“Unfortunately, we
are likely looking at a
very tough summer and
fall ahead for fish,” Shaun
Clements, ODFW Deputy
Administrator for Inland
Fisheries. “It’s possible that
ODFW may have to take
emergency actions to pro-
tect native fish populations
due to the drought.”
“Please try to be flex-
ible with your fishing
plans this summer as we
get through this drought,”
continued Clements. “Our
weekly Recreation Report
is the best source of infor-
mation on conditions and
any emergency regulation
changes due to drought.”
Some of the emergency
actions that could occur are:
-Trout stocking chang-
es. The stocking schedule
may change at short notice
due to water conditions.
Changes may not show up
in the stocking schedule so
see the Recreation Report
for the latest information.
-Early release of fish:
Low flows/high temps at
hatcheries may force early
release of salmon, steelhead
and trout being raised.
-Emergency closures/
regulation changes: Cer-
tain areas may be closed
to angling to reduce stress
on vulnerable fish popu-
lations already struggling
due to drought; bag limits
could be reduced, or sea-
sons shortened; “hoot owl”
regulations may close fish-
ing earlier in the day.
-Bag limits may be re-
moved: In areas without
sensitive fish populations,
bag limits may be removed
so surviving fish can be
harvested rather than left to
die in low water.
-Fish relocation: While
rare, it’s possible ODFW
will salvage fish and move
them to a different water-
body.
Any regulation changes
will be posted in the “Rec-
reation Report / Fishing
Report“ by fishing zone,
so don’t forget to always
check the for the latest
regulation change report
before fishing.
On days when tem-
peratures soar, anglers can
do their part to reduce the
stress fish are under:
-Fish early in day when
water temperatures are
cooler.
-Look for trout in deep,
high elevation lakes or
shaded streams near head-
waters. These places are
often cooler.
-Use barbless hooks so
you can release fish easily
and land fish quickly. The
longer the fight, the less
likely the fish will survive
if released.
-Keep the fish in the
water when you unhook it
and cradle the fish upright
until it revives enough to
swim away.
-Use your judgement.
If conditions where you
want to fish seems especial-
ly severe (low, hot water),
consider fishing somewhere
else where water conditions
are better.
“Due to climate change,
droughts are expected to
become more frequent and
more severe. ODFW scien-
tists are working to identify
cold water refuges, support
flow restoration projects
and improve habitat where
possible to mitigate the
effects of climate change
on fish.” For more infor-
mation, see the agency’s
climate change policy.
“There are things we
can do to help ensure our
iconic species can weather
these droughts,” Clements
said. “By protecting and
restoring the most import-
ant habitats to provide cool,
clean water, we give them a
fighting chance.”
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The Ione Fourth of July
Celebration will be happen-
ing this year on Sunday,
July 4. All activities will
be subject to the COVID
restrictions imposed by
the state at the time of the
event.
The committee is cur-
rently looking for food
and craft vendors who
would like to have a booth.
The vendor fees are being
waived this year, but every-
one will still need to fill out
the necessary paperwork to
be a food or craft vendor.
For more information or
to sign up, email Heidi
Nelson at henny.pennie@
gmail.com and include
‘Ione Fourth of July’ in the
subject line.
The day will start off
with a 5K walk/run at 7
a.m. and a hearty Fireman’s
Breakfast from 7:30-10:30
a.m. The Good Old Fashion
Cruz-In car show registra-
tion starts at 11 a.m. For
more information on the
Cruz-In please contact Loy-
al Burns at 541-422-7512.
The parade starts at
1 p.m. followed by live
music on the stage starting
at 2 p.m. Musical acts will
start with Luke Basile and
Jamie Nasario from 2-3
p.m., then the Cory Peter-
son Band from 3:30-4:30
p.m. After a brief break,
during which there might be
a talent show, the two main
bands will take the stage.
The opening act, Color-
blind, is a classic rock cover
band from the Tri-Cities
and will take the stage at
6:30 p.m. The headlin-
er, Stompin’ Ground, a
high-energy, country rock
band, also from the Tri-Cit-
ies, that headlined the 2019
celebration, will take the
stage at 8:30 p.m.
The entire day of fun
builds up to a firework
spectacular, shot off the hill
overlooking Ione. Bring
your lawn chairs, set up
your spot in the city park
and spend the whole day
right there.
The complete schedule
of events is still coming
together and will be made
available on the Ione Fourth
of July Facebook page and
other places as time allows.
“We are hoping this event
gives all of our area towns
a place to come together
and celebrate with their
neighbors,” says organiz-
er Heidi Nelson. “We are
keeping the publicity local
so the turn-out may be low-
er than in years past; this is
by design. A lower turnout
makes it easy to meet any
pandemic restrictions that
are in place at the time of
the event.”
This year’s event is
made possible by a grant
from the Morrow County
Unified Recreation Dis-
trict. Visitors of all ages are
welcome. Dogs will not be
allowed in the park. To stay
up to date on activities, fol-
low the Ione Fourth of July
page on Facebook.
Io n e C o m m u n i t y C h u r c h
4 7 0 E M a i n S t r e e t , I o n e
Summer worship at 10:00 AM
Sunday Mornings
Valby Lutheran Church
Valby Road
Ione Oregon. 97843
Church Services
1st & 3rd Sundays
10:00 AM
Available for:
Weddings • Funerals
Family Events
541-422-7300
Old
Country
Church
All Are
Welcome
“ Y o u w i l l s e e k M e a n d f i n d M e , w h e n
y o u s e a r c h f o r M e w i t h a l l y o u r h e a r t . ”
- J e r e m i a h 2 9 : 1 3
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