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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (June 20, 2001)
The INDEPENDENT, June 20, 2001 Page 5 Volunteers working toward Nehalem River watershed recovery A group has formed to help protect and improve the Ne halem River watershed and the survival of our native Coho, Chinook and Steelhead. Mem bers of the Nehalem Water shed Recovery Team are citi zens of Clatsop and Columbia Counties who believe that the quality of our watershed is crit ical to the health of our com munities and environment. They are a diverse mix of landowners, former loggers and foresters, environmental ists, teachers and business owners. Most members have been involved with local watershed groups and are aware of cur rent practices that degrade the watershed as well as new ways of doing things that can help the watershed recover. They are also aware that a healthy watershed will lead to im proved and sustainable water supplies, improved habitats for wildlife, healthier fishing and timber industries, increased recreational opportunities and a better quality of life. According to team member Troy Horton, of Fishhawk Lake, the goal of the group is to pro vide information about proac tive ways that communities and businesses can efficiently im prove the watershed. Also highlighted will be current is eonetti’s Z sues and practices that are de grading and harmful to the wa tershed and efforts to eliminate or change those practices. One example the watershed recovery team cites of a cur rent activity that that they feel needs major revision, is the practice of Hardwood Conver sions. The Forest Practices Act allows riparian area buffers which are currently dominated by hardwoods, to be cut to within ten feet (and sometimes closer) of native salmon-bear ing streams. The theory that converting hardwoods to conifers will improve the health of the stream in the long run may or may not prove to be valid, Horton pointed out, but it clearly causes other problems that are harmful to the survival of native Salmon and Steel Oregon Forest Practices Act allows conifers to be removed sometimes within ten feet of head.. salmon-bearing streams. The Oregon Department of Forestry’s own study on the Ef wood Conversion was done on fectiveness of Hardwood Con McCoon Creek, a tributary of versions by Liz Dent, March, Fishhawk Creek. It demon 1997, shows that minimum and strates: average water temperatures in 1. How imprecise definition crease throughout the harvest of high water leads to cutting of units. The watershed team trees, even with the ten foot says the Oregon Department buffer areas» of Forestry needs to either stop the hardwood conversion ex 2. How letting the operator periment or make changes to determine “danger” trees can the implementation of the prac lead to cutting conifers that should have been le ft. tice. One local example of Hard- 3. How improved replanting practices are needed to reduce the harm done. 4 P iz za & G rill Come in & Try our New Items! C a lz o n e • B r e a d s t ic k s • C h e e s e s t e a k S u b s ALL FRESHLY MADE IN OUR KITCHEN! Coming Soon — Full Dinner Menu W E DELIVER • PARTY PLATTERS AVAILABLE OPEN M ON-SAT 1 1 - 9 * SUNDAY 1 2 - 7 721 Madison Ave., Vernonia • 503-429-5018 The Nehalem Watershed Recovery Team welcomes people who are interested in finding ways to work together to improve our lives and the lives of our children. Different perspectives are valued. Close-up of Coon Creek shows sparse hardwood growth left after allowed cut, which will cause water temperature to rise with potential harm to native salmon and steelhead. provide effective ways to help Horton at 503-755-0213, or create a healthy watershed.” Dale Webb of Vernonia, 503- For further information, call 429-4062. Have The Independent delivered. Call 429-9410 for information. “Our intent is to bring light to poorly designed and executed practices,” Horton said, “and VERNONIA 6:30 p.m., Head Start Bldg. Mondays Alcoholics Anonymous 7:00 p.m., Head Start Bldg. Saturdays Alcoholics Anonymous American Legion Post #119 2nd Thursday 627 Adams Ave./ 503-429-4000 2:00 p.m., City Library 2nd Thursday Arts & Crafts Society 7:30 p.m., VHS Library 2nd Wednesday Boosters 7:00 p.m., Head Start Bldg. Tuesdays Boy Scout Troop 201 7:00 p.m., LDS Church Wednesdays Boy Scout Troop 860 7:00 p.m., Leonetti’s Grill Cemetery Beautification Comm. 2nd Thursday Noon, Lew’s Place 2nd Wednesday Chamber of Commerce 1:00 p.m., Senior Center 4th Tuesday Doll Club 6:30-8 p.m., Christian Church Thursdays Girl Scouts For location call 503-429-7193 3rd Thursday Izaak Walton League 6:30 p.m., Lew's Place 1st & 3rd Tuesdays Lions Club 6:00 p.m., Head Start Bldg. Fridays Narcotics Anonymous For Info Call 503-429-4074 Nehalem Valley Car Club 10:30 a.m., City Library Mondays Preschool Story Hour For location call 429-2401 Upr Nehalem Watershed Council 4th Thursday 7:00 p.m., City Library Vernonia Airport Committee 3rd Wednesday For location call 503-429-1414 Vernonia Cares Directors 6:30 p.m., City Hall Vernonia City Council 1 st & 3rd Mondays Noon, City Hall Vernonia Comm. Dev. Corp. 2nd Tuesday 7:00 p.m., Grange Hall 2nd Friday Vernonia Grange 6:00 p.m., 510 Bridge St. 2nd Thursday Vernonia Health Center 7:00 p.m., City Hall 1st Thursday Vernonia Planning Comm. For Info Call, 503-429-5201 Vernonia Pride 7:00 p.m., City Library Last Thursday Vernonia Ridge Riders 7:00 p.m., Fire Station 2nd Tuesday Vernonia RFPD Board 8:00 p.m., District Office 2nd Thursday Vernonia School Board 1:00 p.m., Senior Center 1st Friday Vernonia Sr. Center Board 7:00 p.m., Fire Station 2nd Monday Vernonia Volunteer Firefighters 7:00 p.m., WOEC 3rd Tuesday WOEC Directors JUNE • " T W T F S 3 10 17 24 4 11 18 25 S 12 19 26 6 13 20 27 7 14 21 28 8 15 22 29 0 1« 23 30 MIST-BIRKENFELP M-BRFPD Board M-B Ambulance Assoc. M-B Firefighters Assoc. M-B Rescue M-B Helping Circle Natal Grange T.O.P.S. s a 1 8 15 22 29 JU LY T w r r s 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 18 17 18 19 20 21 23 24 25 26 27 28 30 31 8 « V W 5 12 19 26 2nd & 4th Tuesday 1st & 2nd Thurs. 1st & 2nd Wed. 3rd Wednesday 2nd Wednesday 2nd Wednesday Sundays 6 13 20 27 7 14 21 28 1 2 8 9 15 16 22 23 29 30 F . 3 10 17 24 31 4 11 18 25 SEPTEMBER 7 W r f s S M 2 9 16 23 30 3 10 17 24 4 11 18 25 5 12 19 26 6 13 20 27 7 14 21 28 1 8 15 22 29 7:30 p.m., Main Fire Station 7:00 p.m., Main Fire Station 7:00 p.m., Main Fire Station 7:00 p.m., Main Fire Station 10:00 am, 755-2346 for info. 7:30 p.m., Grange Hall 7:00 p.m., Main Fire Station BANKS 8:00 p.m., Methodist Church Fridays Alcoholics Anonymous 7:30 p.m., City Hall 2nd Tuesday Banks City Council 7:00 p.m., City Hall Banks Planning Commission Last Tuesday 7:30 p.m., Jr. High Library 2nd Monday Banks School Board Sundays, Wednesdays 7:00 p.m., UMC Youth Bldg. Banks Youth Group 1st Thursday 12:30 p.m., Brown Derby Chamber of Commerce 3rd Monday, odd months 7:15 p.m., City Hall Citizen Participation Org. 2nd Tuesday 7:00 p.m., City Library Friends of the Library 1st & 3rd Wednesdays 7:00 p.m., Methodist Church Lions Club 3rd Wednesday 8:00 p.m., Gun Club Sunset Park Assoc. Wednesdays 7:00 p.m., Administration Bldg. T.O.P.S. 2nd Wednesday 7:00 p.m., Station 13 Tri-City RFPD Board COLUMBIA COUNTY (All meet in St. Helens unless otherwise noted.) 10 a.m., Courthouse Wednesdays Board of Commissioners 7:00 p.m., Sunset Park Church 2nd Tuesday Citizens for Senior Justice 10:30 a.m., Courthouse 2nd Friday COLCO Transportation 1:00 p.m., Courthouse 2nd Friday County Council of Seniors 7:00 p.m., Fairgrounds 4-H Bldg. 2nd Monday County Fair Board 6:00 p.m., 1054 Oregon St. 3rd Monday County Parks Commission 7:00 p.m., Courthouse Emergency Comm. Dist. (9-1-1) 3rd Tuesday Noon, location call 429-3713 Historical Society 4th Wednesday Organizations and meeting dates not listed may be included by calling 429-9410 or by mail to The INDEPENDENT, 725 Bridge Street, Vernonia, OR 97064.
