Public News Service

Birds are attracted to the Fernhill Wetlands in Forest Grove, Ore., where wastewater is treated naturally. (Bryn Nelson)

Monday, April 29, 2024

Wastewater wetlands in OR, US provide natural filtration option

By Bryn Nelson for Yes! Media.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for Oregon News Service reporting for the YES! Media-Public News Service …

A proposed mining road would have been built near the Brooks Range in northwest Alaska. (Irenabyss/Adobe Stock)

Rejection of AK mining road seen as victory for national parks across U.S.

The Biden administration has blocked a mining road in Alaska and public lands proponents see the move as a win for national parks around the country…

Much of Oregon's BLM lands are in the southeastern part of the state. (John Chedsey/Adobe Stock)

New BLM rule creates opportunities for conservation in OR

Conservation and public access are on equal footing with other considerations for Bureau of Land Management lands under a recently announced rule…

Prescribed burning is the purposeful use of fire to reduce the risk from fire fuel sources in the forest. (Heidi/Adobe Stock)

NW states, fed collaborate on prescribed burns to fight wildfires

State and federal agencies are collaborating to increase the use of prescribed fires in the Northwest. Prescribed fire is the controlled use of …

An update to the Northwest Forest Plan could be available by this fall. (jamesdcawley/Adobe Stock)

Update coming for 30-year-old Northwest Forest Plan

The U.S. Forest Service has announced its intention to update a 30-year-old plan for managing forests in the Northwest. The agency has issued a …

Leslie Gulch is among the locations receiving added protections from a new Bureau of Land Management resource plan for southeast Oregon. (BLM)

BLM announces added protections for sensitive OR landscape

The remote landscape of southeastern Oregon is receiving additional protections. The Bureau of Land Management has finalized its resource management …

Southern Resident orcas' habitat stretches from Canada to California. (CarloEmanuele/Adobe Stock)

OR to decide on added protections for decreasing orca population

Oregon officials are considering providing additional protections to orcas in the region. The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will decide on …

The Big League Project is located near the Calapooia and Mohawk rivers' Watersheds. (Cascadia Wildlands)

Conservation groups seek to protect OR forest from logging project

Conservation groups have filed a lawsuit to block a logging project near Eugene. Cascadia Wildlands, Oregon Wild and Willamette Riverkeeper are …

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management oversees 15.7 million acres of land in Oregon. (John Chedsey/Adobe Stock)

Bills in Congress seek to nix conservation in BLM Public Lands Rule

Bills in Congress would throw out comments for a proposed rule that would prioritize conservation and restoration on U.S. Bureau of Land Management …

Community health centers serve one in 11 people across the country. (Kirsten Davis, peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Week Spotlights Community Health Centers Removing Barriers to Care

Events across the country are marking this as National Health Center Week, including in Oregon. Community health centers provide affordable health …

Southeastern Oregon is a mostly arid section of the state. (Bob/Adobe Stock)

Proposed Plan Protects 400,000 Acres in Southeastern OR

A newly released management plan for the Owyhee landscape in Oregon will bring greater protections for more than 400,000 acres of public land…

There are about 25,000 pronghorn in Oregon. (tomreichner/Adobe Stock)

BLM Funds to Restore Landscapes in OR

The federal government is investing $161 million to restore landscapes across the West, including in Oregon. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management …

Cape Foulweather is in Lincoln County south of Depoe Bay. (Mitch Meseke-Wirestock Creators/Adobe Stock)

OR Coast Conservation Areas Opportunity for 'Bottom Up' Management

Locals will help steward two iconic locations on Oregon's coast. The Cape Foulweather Complex and Cape Lookout Marine Conservation areas were …

Fire hardening a home also involves managing vegetation within 100 feet of the home. (jryanc10/Adobe Stock)

Hardening Homes Could Be More Effective Defense Against Wildfires

Wildfires are a growing threat in the Northwest and a lot of money is spent on fire suppression. But a less costly approach could be to make homes …

The Greater Hart-Sheldon area in southeastern Oregon is home to more than 350 species. (brx0/Flickr)

New Rule Could Spur More Conservation on BLM Lands

A proposed rule from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management could raise conservation up as a priority on the land it manages. Under the proposal…

The North Fork of the Smith River in Oregon was not included in 1990 protections for the river, which runs through California. (Zachary Collier/Northwest Rafting Co.)

Bill in Congress Would Protect Smith River Watershed in OR

A new bill in Congress would add greater protections to a river and its watersheds in southern Oregon. Oregon Democratic Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron …

The Columbia River is renowned for its salmon and steelhead runs. In a year of good returns, over 1 million Chinook, coho and sockeye salmon, and summer steelhead travel up the river to spawn in its tributaries. (Adobe Stock)

New Columbia River Protections Under EPA Permits

The Environmental Protection Agency has ordered the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to stop oil and other toxic chemical discharges into the Columbia …

Ecola Point is about three miles north of Cannon Beach, Oregon. (Sepp/Adobe Stock)

Teeming with Life, OR Coastal Areas Receive New Protections

Six stretches of Oregon coast that are home to a diverse array of wildlife are set to receive critical protections. Oregon's Ocean Policy Advisory …

The River Democracy Act would double the number of river miles currently protected as Wild and Scenic. (Jeffrey Schwartz/Adobe Stock)

OR Rivers Vital to State's BIPOC Communities

Oregon is home to a plethora of rivers, but those waterways are not always accessible to every community. A new video series highlights how …

La presa de Bonneville en el r�o Columbia, est� situada cerca de la ciudad de Cascade Locks, en Oregon. (RG/Adobe Stock)

Tras inclusión en el Superfondo, comienza el duro trabajo de limpieza del río Columbia

Un lugar de pesca muy popular en el río Columbia para los miembros de la Nación Yakama ha sido incluido en la lista del Superfondo por el go…

Crater Lake National Park covers more than 180,000 acres in southern Oregon. (aiisha/Adobe Stock)

Public Lands Day Celebrates 'Spectacular' Landmarks in OR, U.S.

Saturday is National Public Lands Day, a celebration of national parks in the United States. People will be able to access national park lands for …

Wildlife mapping efforts of species such as pronghorn reply on GPS radio collaring. (Stephen/Adobe Stock)

Western Migration Mapping Efforts Seek Congressional Funding

Mapping migration routes is important for conserving species such as pronghorn, so supporters hope Congress will fund mapping efforts. The United …

The Rogue River was one of the original eight to receive federal protections when the Wild and Scenic Rivers act was passed in 1968. (Eric Tegethoff)

National Rivers Month: More Protections for OR Waters

June is National Rivers Month and a proposal in Congress would protect more of Oregon's rivers. Currently about 2% of Oregon's 110,000 miles of …

Communities and agriculture are encroaching on the habitat of western painted turtles in Oregon. (Danita Delimont/Adobe Stock)

Bipartisan Conservation Bill Would Stem Species-Decline 'Crisis'

A bipartisan effort in Congress to curb the loss of plant and animal species could get a Senate committee vote as soon as this week. The Recovering …

Quartzville Creek is among the river sections currently protected as wild and scenic in Oregon, but only about 2% of the state's river miles have that federal designation. (Bob Wick/Bureau of Land Mgmt.)

OR Businesses Support River Protections

PORTLAND, Ore. - Hundreds of Oregon businesses have signaled their support for legislation protecting rivers across the state. In an open letter…

A report on ecologically important rivers in Oregon highlights the Chetco River in the southwestern part of the state. (Zachary Collier/Flickr)

Research Pinpoints 'Best of the Best' Oregon Rivers to Conserve

PORTLAND, Ore. -- A new report identifies some of the most ecologically important rivers in Oregon. Conservation Science Partners looked at 54,000 …

Effects of Oregon's Bootleg Fire stretch all the way to the East Coast, with smoke carried thousands of miles by high-level winds.(Clandestino/Pixabay)

Experts: More Logging Won't Stop Oregon's Wildfires

PORTLAND, Ore. -- As the Bootleg fire burns in southern Oregon, the U.S. Senate is considering an infrastructure package that environmental …

The South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve near Coos Bay supports 65 jobs. (Werewombat/Wikimedia Commons)

Report: Southern OR Coastal Reserve Has Big Local Impact

COOS BAY, Ore. -- A system of little-known public lands protecting sensitive coastal habitats generates big economic impacts for local communities…

Portions of the Rogue River are among rivers currently protected as Wild and Scenic in Oregon. (Eric Tegethoff)

OR Breweries Give Cheers to Wyden, Merkley for River Protection Bill

PORTLAND, Ore. - Support is brimming from Oregon's craft breweries for a bill that would give nearly 4,700 miles of the state's rivers and streams …

Three Forks is within an area the local advisory council has identified as having wilderness characteristics. (Bureau of Land Management/Flickr)

Letter Calls for Reconsideration of OR Desert Plan

VALE, Ore. - A letter to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland urges her to preserve 1.2 million acres of southeastern Oregon, including parts of the Owyhee …

More than a million acres in Oregon burned during the 2020 wildfire season. (Larisa Bogardus/U.S. Bureau of Land Management)

Wildfire Awareness Month: OR Prepares for Fire Season

PORTLAND, Ore. -- May is Wildfire Awareness Month, and the western United States is preparing for an active year. Coming off a severe wildfire …

Catching salmon is big business for communities along the Oregon coast. (ftfoxfoto/Adobe Stock)

NW Proposal Could Boost Salmon 'Boat to Plate,' Supporters Say

PORTLAND, Ore. -- If the Pacific Northwest has a taste, it's for the region's salmon, but as the iconic fish species dwindles, it also effects a food …

A proposed 4,700 miles of protected rivers and streams in the River Democracy Act are located across Oregon. (Wyden.Senate.gov)

Oregonians Picked Rivers for Protection in Congressional Bill

PORTLAND, Ore. -- New legislation in Congress would protect rivers Oregonians have identified as their most cherished. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.…

A popular rafting and camping destination, the Owyhee Canyonlands stretch across southeastern Oregon's border with Idaho. (Bonnie Moreland/Flickr)

Poll: Support for Protecting Owyhee Canyonlands Crosses Party Lines

ONTARIO, Ore. - Protecting the Owyhee Canyonlands is a popular idea for people from both major political parties, according to a new poll. Polling …

A bill in Congress would protect more than 14 miles of the Owyhee River as wild and scenic. (Greg Shine/BLM)

Owyhee Happy Hour: OR Breweries Push Canyonlands Protection

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The effort to protect the Owyhee Canyonlands is getting support from a big Oregon industry that also relies on clean water: …

The Owyhee Canyonlands of southeast Oregon is one of the largest intact landscapes in the West. (Greg Shine/Bureau of Land Management)

On Anniversary of Wilderness Act, Push to Protect Owyhee Canyonlands

PORTLAND, Ore. -- President Lyndon Johnson signed the Wilderness Act into law on this day in 1964. In Oregon, there's a push to use that law to …

Oregon wolves are federally listed as endangered in the western part of the state. (ODFW/Flickr)

Despite Increase, OR Wolves Still in Precarious Recovery Position

PORTLAND, Ore. -- A new wolf count shows growth in Oregon's wolf population, but conservation groups say there's still a long way to go to recovering …

Preserving forests in the Northwest would be the equivalent of not burning fossil fuels for eight years in the Western United States, a study has found. (Oregon State University)

Research: Preserving NW Forests Needed in Global Climate Crisis

PORTLAND, Ore. - New Oregon State University research says Pacific Northwest forests are integral for mitigating the effects of climate change…

Rogue River rafting outfitter Zach Collier is excited about potential federal protection of his favorite watershed, Baldface Creek, in southern Oregon. (Zachary Collier/Flickr)

Senate Committee Approves Bill to Protect Treasured OR Landscapes

PORTLAND, Ore. – A bill to protect unique Oregon landscapes has made it through a key committee in the U.S. Senate. Introduced by Sens…

A bill in Congress would protect more than a million acres of Owyhee Canyonlands as wilderness. (U.S. Bureau of Land Management/Flickr)

Diverse Groups Applaud New Bill to Protect Owyhee Canyonlands

VALE, Ore. – A bill in Congress to protect the Owyhee Canyonlands and parts of Malheur County is being praised for the inclusive process …

Oregon's state bird, the western meadowlark, is considered a sensitive species that would benefit from proactive conservation efforts. (Becky Matsubara/Flickr)

House Bill Could Be "Watershed Moment" for Wildlife Conservation

PORTLAND, Ore. – A bill in Congress would aid states in their efforts to conserve species before they are in crisis. The Recovering America's …

Maintenance costs total about $18 million at Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve, according to the National Park Service. (Oregon Caves, National Park Service/Flickr)

Bills Address Nat'l. Parks' Maintenance, Including $127 Million in Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore. – Efforts continue in Congress to address the big maintenance backlog in the country's national parks. Deferred maintenance in …

More than 1 million acres of land recognized as wilderness quality in the Owyhee Canyonlands could be left unprotected in the U.S. Bureau Land Management's resource plans. (BLM/Flickr)

BLM Resource Plan Raises Concern for Owyhee Preservation

ONTARIO, Ore. — The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has released a draft plan for managing southeastern Oregon, and high-desert enthusiasts are …

$While there are no fracking wells in Oregon, potential for fracturing has been identified in the Willamette Valley. (Calin Tatu/Adobe Stock)$

Oregon Lawmakers Approve Fracking Moratorium

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon legislators have voted to place a moratorium on the oil and gas extraction process known as hydraulic fracturing, or …

A measure in Congress would ban mining in 100,000 acres of the Kalmiopsis Wilderness Area in southwestern Oregon. (Zach Collier/Northwest Rafting Co.)

Bill in Congress Would Protect Ore. Landscape 'Unique to World'

PORTLAND, Ore. — A hearing is scheduled in Congress today on a bill that would expand public-lands protections in Oregon. Sen. Ron Wyden and …

There are 137 known wolves in Oregon, according to the latest count. (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife/Flickr)

OR Hosts Meeting on Removing Endangered Species Protections for Wolves

PORTLAND, Ore. – With no official public meetings scheduled on a proposal to remove Endangered Species protections for gray wolves, community …

Only about 3% of historical burning is taking place in Eastern Oregon and Washington forests, according to a new study. (Sheila Sund/Flickr)

Study: Lack of Low-Intensity Fires Fueling NW Infernos

PORTLAND, Ore. — While the Northwest has seen massive infernos in recent years, a new report shows its forests actually are experiencing a …

While wolves are recovering, the group Oregon Wild notes there is only one breeding pair in western Oregon. (Oregon Dept. of Fish and Widlife/Flickr)

Trump Administration Proposes Ending Gray Wolf Protections

PORTLAND, Ore. - The U.S. Department of the Interior will roll out plans to remove Endangered Species Act protections for the gray wolf, acting …

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