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

Monday, April 22, 2024

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…

The Snake River is the largest tributary to the Columbia River. (Sascha Burkard/Adobe Stock)

Carbon emissions found from Columbia River Basin dams

A new report found four dams in the Columbia River Basin are big emitters of methane. Research from the organization Tell The Dam Truth showed the …

Salmon populations have dwindled in the Northwest, hurting the orcas that rely on them for food. (Stanislav/Adobe Stock)

Next steps for recovery after endangered orca decision in OR

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission has decided to list Southern Resident orcas as an endangered species. With it comes guidelines for how the …

Bradford Island is located near the Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River. (J-B-C/Adobe Stock)

After Superfund listing, cleanup of Columbia River site progresses slowly

Advocates are making slow but steady progress to clean up a portion of the Columbia River named a Superfund site by the Environmental Protection Agenc…

The Biden administration has announced $196 million going out to 169 culvert repair projects across the country. (Jacob/Adobe Stock)

Federal Investment 'Incredible Opportunity' to Improve NW Fish Passage

Fish passage is set to improve in the Northwest with an investment from Congress's bipartisan infrastructure law. The Biden administration has …

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 …

The Bonneville Dam is located about 40 miles east of Portland, Ore. (Dominic/Adobe Stock)

NW Energy Experts in DC Talking Grid Update, Saving Fish

Northwest energy experts and conservation leaders are in Washington, D.C. to urge policymakers to invest in modernizing the region's power grid…

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 …

The Ice Harbor dam in southeastern Washington is among those that could be breached to help Northwest salmon. (davidrh/Adobe Stock)

Public Comment Encouraged on Snake River Dams Removal Plan

A report from leaders in Washington state lays out how the services of four dams on the lower Snake River could be replaced in order to save ailing sa…

Small Oregon towns such as Westport, Clatskanine and Astoria support strong fishing economies. (Denise Walker/Adobe Stock)

Rural Communities Feel Brunt of Columbia Salmon Closure

The salmon-fishing season on the lower section of the Columbia River was shut down a week ago, prompting folks to call for more action to save the …

Salmon numbers in the Pacific Northwest could improve due to colder ocean temperatures. (Tyler Hulett/Adobe Stock)

Ocean Temperatures Favor Salmon, But Population Decline Still Concern

Recent data on ocean conditions could be good news for struggling salmon in the Northwest. But advocates for the species warn this isn't enough to …

Anglers in the Columbia River Basin have been packing up earlier than normal this year. (ftfoxfoto/Adobe Stock)

Columbia River Basin Closures Put Fishing Jobs 'On Hold'

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Closed fisheries from imperiled fish runs in the Columbia River Basin are prompting calls for action before it's too late. …

As the Northwest feels the summer heat, salmon are struggling to migrate hundreds of miles upstream. (Conrad Gowell/Columbia Riverkeeper)

Northwesterners to Rally to Support Threatened Salmon

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Rallies are taking place across the Northwest to support salmon, which face dire conditions in the Columbia River Basin. Saturday…

This year, the entire state of Oregon is considered to be either in a drought or abnormally dry. (earagen/Adobe Stock)

Summer of Drought, Wildfires Could Devastate NW Salmon Species

PORTLAND, Ore. - There are signs this summer could be a bad one for the native salmon of the Northwest. Already, drought has gripped the region…

Fishing is popular near the Bonneville Dam along the Columbia River. (Nathan K/Flickr)

Toxins in Columbia River Lead to Call for Superfund Listing

HOOD RIVER, Ore. -- Oregon, Washington and the Yakama Nation are asking the Biden administration to list one stretch of the Columbia River as a …

Salmon numbers are declining rapidly in the Snake River, the Columbia River's largest tributary. (norikko/Adobe Stock)

NW Groups: Pieces in Place to Address Salmon Decline

PORTLAND, Ore. - Groups are urging Northwest leaders to act on U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson's infrastructure and Snake River dam proposal. The plan would …

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.…

The governors of Oregon and other Northwest states have signed an agreement to work on recovery of salmon and steelhead. (Portland Corp/Flickr)

NW Groups Call for Regional Approach to Saving Salmon

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Idaho Gov. Brad Little's workgroup to consider what to do about dwindling salmon numbers has wrapped up, as conservation groups in …

The Klamath River was once the third-largest salmon producing river on the West Coast. (Matt Baun/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

OR, CA Lend Help to Keep Klamath Dams' Demolition on Track

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. -- Oregon and California are stepping in to save a project to remove dams from the Klamath River. The states are applying to co-…

Salmon run numbers continue to plummet in the Columbia River basin. (Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife/Flickr)

Columbia River Basin Salmon in Hot Water

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Salmon in the Columbia River basin have been feeling the heat -- and experts say it's pushing fish species to the brink of …

A bill in Congress would create a $3 billion program for coastal restoration projects. (Iriana Shiyan/Adobe Stock)

Restoration Projects Could Be Key to COVID-19 Recovery for OR Coast

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Communities on the Oregon coast could see sorely needed investments from an infrastructure bill now in Congress. Jean Flemma…

Low levels in the Klamath River could make conditions ripe for spreading disease among juvenile salmon. (Patrick McCully/Flickr)

Dry Year, Court Decision Disappoint OR Salmon Advocates

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. -- With the Klamath Basin expected to see one of the driest years on record, struggles for salmon in southern Oregon are piling …

The John C. Boyle Dam, southwest of Klamath Falls, is one of four dams slated for removal as early as 2022. (Bobjgalindo/Wikimedia Commons)

Salmon Advocates See Hope in Planned Removal of Klamath Dams

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. -- Advocates for salmon hope the timeline holds for dam removal on the Klamath River, saying it's a race against time to make …

The low numbers of salmon returning to Northwest rivers are raising concerns about a future without these fish. (Bureau of Land Management/Flickr)

Energy, Environmental Groups: Collaboration Possible on Snake River Dams

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Energy companies and conservation groups want to bridge the divide on a contentious issue in the Northwest: the future of four …

Coho salmon numbers in Oregon dropped below 30,000 in the 1990s from historic averages above 1 million. (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife/Flickr)

Groups Urge Greater Protections for Salmon from Logging

PORTLAND, Ore. – Conservation and fishing groups are calling on Oregon to enact stronger protections for salmon from the effects of logging…

The Oregon Wildlands Act would designate more than 250 miles of wild and scenic rivers in the state. (Zachary Collier/Flickr)

Public-Lands Advocates Expect Ore. Protections in 2019

PORTLAND, Ore. – People who rely on public lands are urging members of Congress to protect iconic Oregon landscapes at the start of their 2019 …

The U.S. and Canada are negotiating hydropower production and flood risk management for cities like Portland along the Columbia River. (Sam Beebe/Flickr)

Portland Town Hall: Chance to Comment on Columbia River Treaty

PORTLAND, Ore. – The U.S. State Department holds a town hall meeting in Portland Thursday on the state's Columbia River Treaty negotiations …

There are 13 endangered populations of salmon in the Columbia River Basin. (Bureau of Land Management/Flickr)

Decision to Help Salmon at Columbia River Dams Upheld in Court

PORTLAND, Ore. – A U.S. appeals court on Monday upheld a decision to allow Northwest dams to release more water over their spillways to help …

Even low levels of three commonly used pesticides can cause abnormal development of salmon. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

NW Salmon, Fishing Endangered by Pesticides

PORTLAND, Ore. – A trio of widely-used pesticides threatens Northwest salmon and the orca that rely on them, even with these species on the …

Bonneville Dam is one of many in the Columbia River basin. (Colleen Benelli/Flickr)

Negotiations on Columbia River Treaty to Start in 2018

PORTLAND, Ore. – Columbia River Treaty negotiations between the United States and Canada are set to begin in 2018, and advocates for the …

A new report finds cleaning the Columbia River up for fish would have significant economic value for the region. (Thomas/Flickr)

Report: A Clean Columbia River is Worth More to Northwest

PORTLAND, Ore. -- A cleaner Columbia River could unlock even more economic potential for the Northwest, according to a new report. In Earth …

A conservation group has placed the endangered gray wolf on its list of 10 species that should be prioritized by the Trump administration. (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife/Flickr)

Oregon Species Among Top 10 Targeted for Recovery

PORTLAND, Ore. – Conservationists are highlighting 10 endangered species that the conservationists say deserve attention from the coming Trump …

One clan of Northwest orcas sometimes travels to Oregon's Klamath River in order to feed on salmon. (pixabay)

Orca Awareness Month Highlights Threats to Species

PORTLAND, Ore. – It's Orca Awareness Month, a time when conservation groups recognize the threat that killer whales face. A clan of orcas in …

The Klamath River flows through southern Oregon and northern California. (Tami Heilemann/Dept. of the Interior)

OR, CA Governors Agree to Remove Klamath River Dams

PORTLAND, Ore. - Oregon Governor Kate Brown (D)and California Governor Jerry Brown (D) met at an event along the Klamath River Wednesday to agree to …

The Iron Gate Dam is one of four slated for removal if all parties agree on amendments to the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement. (California Trout)

New Year Brings New Approach for Klamath Basin Dam Removal

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - A plan for the Klamath Basin water-use agreements may have expired in Congress, but at least part of it was resuscitated this …

In Oregon, the spotted frog's range includes only a half-dozen counties and the species has long been considered a candidate for protection. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Second Lawsuit Filed on Deschutes River Management

BEND, Ore. - A second federal lawsuit has been filed to protect the Oregon spotted frog - but more broadly, to change the way water is being managed …

Klamath Basin water users are concerned that the region's overarching water-rights agreement will die in Congress this month. (waterwatch.org)

Barely a Trickle of Hope for Klamath Basin Water Agreement

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - With one week to go before Congress is scheduled to wrap up its session for the year, it's looking unlikely that the Klamath …

Fisheries biologists are just some of the positions to be filled by the U.S. Forest Service in Oregon and Washington. Courtesy: USFS Pacific Northwest Region

U.S. Forest Service Needs Workers in Oregon, Washington

PORTLAND, Ore. - You'll have to get organized in the next few days if you want to be considered for a job working in one of the 16 national forests …

The J.C. Boyle Dam is one of four slated for decommissioning if Congress approves the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement. Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Klamath Basin Water Deal Ticks Toward December Deadline

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Time is running out for Congress to pass the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement. But at the White House Tribal Nations …

PHOTO: Oregon's densely forested O-and-C lands encompass slightly more than 2.6 million acres, and the Bureau of Land Management wants more public input as it updates the master plan to manage them. Photo credit: Chris Thomas

BLM Unveils Options for Managing O-and-C Forestlands

PORTLAND, Ore. - Groups are lining up for and against five possible alternatives for managing 2.6 million acres of Western Oregon forests known as …

PHOTO: The U.S. Forest Service takes public comment this week as part of a yearlong look at how to revise the Northwest Forest Plan, which has been in place since 1994. Photo credit: influenz/morguefile.com.

After 20 Years, NW Forest Plan Up for Revision

PORTLAND, Ore. - After 20 years, the U.S. Forest Service is looking for ideas on how to update the Northwest Forest Plan. The first public meeting is …

PHOTO: Fishermen with a Tillamook Bay Chinook taken on spinners in the middle bay on Tuesday. Fall Chinook are among the most stable wild salmon populations in Oregon, largely because they don't spend as much time in fresh water streams as others. Photo courtesy of Bob Rees.

42nd Birthday: A Watershed Moment for the Clean Water Act

PORTLAND, Ore. - Every Oregonian who turns on a faucet or casts a fishing line has a stake in what happens with the Clean Water Act. The federal law …

PHOTO: Mossy Creek, a tributary of the Salmon River, is one of many smaller Oregon streams that doesn't receive Clean Water Act protections. The EPA has proposed a rule to protect more small or seasonal streams. Photo credit: Nic Callero, National Wildlife Federation.

What EPA's Clean-Water Proposal Means for Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a rule it says will clarify which bodies of water are covered by the Clean …

PHOTO: Sportsmen say some of the best fishing spots on the Crooked River aren't accessible to the public because adjacent land is in private hands. An LWCF grant could change that. Photo credit: BLM Prineville office.

OR Sportsmen Support Obama's "Conservation Promise"

PORTLAND, Ore. - When President Obama's budget proposal came out this week, one aspect that didn't get much attention is his recommendation to fully …

PHOTO: The groups that want to stop the White Castle timber sale point to another BLM experimental harvest known as Buck Rising (part of which is seen here), saying the result looks too much like clear-cutting. Photo credit: Francis Eatherington

Groups Challenge Roseburg BLM Timber "Experiment"

EUGENE, Ore. - Is it an experiment with a new type of timber harvest - or a way to avoid using the controversial term "clear-cutting?" The latest …

Sen. Wyden's Long-Awaited "O and C Lands" Plan Arrives

SALEM, Ore. - With Gov. John Kitzhaber at his side, Sen. Ron Wyden unveiled legislation Tuesday to change the way Oregon's O&C lands are managed…

PHOTO: Who will make the decisions about where and how much timber is harvested in Oregon? Legislation in Congress to ramp up logging on public land is getting serious attention. Photo credit: Chandra LeGue.

U.S. House "Healthy Forests" Bill Raises Concerns

PORTLAND, Ore. - Legislation that would greatly increase logging on public land soon could be on the U.S. House floor for a vote. The bill, HR 1526…

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PNS Daily Newscast - April 23, 2024

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OR: Salmon Recovery