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
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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
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MIST-BIRKENFELP
M-BRFPD Board
M-B Ambulance Assoc.
M-B Firefighters Assoc.
M-B Rescue
M-B Helping Circle
Natal Grange
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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.