Shows
Conservation TodayWinchester Dam, The Most Dangerous Dam in OregonPermit violations during the August 2023 repairs of the Winchester Dam on the North Umpqua River near Roseburg, resulted in the biggest fish kill on an Oregon River this year. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife fined the dam’s owners and their contractors $27.6 million dollars for the needless death of hundreds of thousands on native fish.
The Winchester Dam was condemned in 1976. The Oregon Water Resource District gave the dam their highest danger rating, “high hazard,” meaning: “the department expects loss of human life to occur if the dam fails.”
Mike Ruehle and Adam Miller of...2023-10-1957 minConservation TodayKai Huschke and the Community Environmental Legal Defense FundKai Huschke, with the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, talks to us about the hierarchy of community rights, states rights, and corporate rights. We look at examples of Rights of Nature laws in other countries, and why it is so difficult to have community or nature rights under the Unites States system of capitalism. Community vs corporation examples include the timber and fossil fuel industries. For more information, see https://celdf.org/.
Ending song is “Occupy the USA” from the album “Revolutions Per Minute” by Emma’s Revolution. https://emmasrevolution.com/. You can purchase this album in a non-capit...2023-03-091h 00Conservation TodayRights of Nature in Lane CountyMichelle Holman (Community Rights Lane County) and Craig Kauffman (UO professor and author) talk about a ballot initiative to help protect Lane County watersheds and give legal rights to nature. The ballot initiative can be seen here: https://www.protectlanecountywatersheds.org/lane_county_watersheds_bill_of_rights
To get involved in Community Rights, and to donate to this project, see:
https://www.protectlanecountywatersheds.org/donate
Craig’s fascinating information is here, including a link to download his latest book: “The Politics of Rights of Nature":
https://blogs.uoregon.edu/craigkauffman/
Also...2023-02-0758 min
Conservation TodayWild Horses on Public Lands, PART 2A panel of speakers discusses the plight of native wild horses in "Horse Management Areas" on public lands in western states.
Speakers on Part 1 and Part 2 of the Wild Horse Podcast include:
Lorna Torrey Palermo is a long time horse lover, animal advocate and Advocate for Wild Equines.
Linda Wallace first became interested in the wild horses as a child when she heard about Wild Horse Annie. She has been writing letters and making phone calls ever since! Linda adopted an amazing black Eastern Oregon Mustang named Moonshine in the 80s. She now...2022-06-1559 minConservation TodayWild Horses on Public Lands, PART 1A panel of speakers discusses the plight of native wild horses in "Horse Management Areas" on public lands in western states.
Our speakers on Part 1 and Part 2 of the Wild Horse Podcast include:
Lorna Torrey Palermo is a long time horse lover, animal advocate and Advocate For Wild Equines..
Linda Wallace first became interested in the wild horses as a child when she heard about Wild Horse Annie. She has been writing letters and making phone calls ever since! Linda adopted an amazing black Eastern Oregon Mustang named Moonshine in the 80s. She...2022-06-1558 minConservation TodayCarol Van StrumThis is a conversation with Carol Van Strum, who has fought against the aerial spraying of pesticides, including Agent Orange, since 1975.
Join Carol on the webinar Wednesday, April 6, 6 PM, 2022. "Oregonians Love Trees". Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83135992632?pwd=VlFvZUp1SmxxKzdjZzRESEVVQ3BiZz09
The PBS documentary that features Carol: The People vs. Agent Orange. https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/documentaries/the-people-vs-agent-orange/
Books by Carol:
A Bitter Fog, Herbicides and Human Rights. https://bookshop.org/books/a-bitter-fog-herbicides-human-rights/9781732446830
The Oreo File. https://bookshop.org/books/the-oreo-file/9781539821830
The en...2022-04-0255 minConservation TodayPatrick Starnes talks about Oregon state issues.This is a conservation with Patrick Starnes, long time environmental activist, and now a candidate for governor of Oregon. We talk about some recent environmental victories, then a conversation on health plan options for Oregonians. We also chat about campaign finance reform, the housing crisis, renewable energy possibilities, and a bit about forestry in Oregon.
For more information on Patrick Starnes, see: https://starnes2022.com/, and https://ballotpedia.org/Patrick_Starnes
Ending music is “Vote Republican” by Roy Zimmerman, from his “You’re Getting Sleepy” album. https://roy-zimmerman.myshopify.com/, https://roy-zimmerman.myshopify.com/collections/youre-gettin2022-03-1253 minConservation TodayIssues with the lower Snake River Dams, a conversation with Bonnie OlinThis is a fascinating conversation with Bonnie Olin. Bonnie is an avid river user, including kayaking on the Snake River. Bonnie talks about the four lower Snake River Dams, why they should be removed, and the impacts removal would have on fish and wildlife, as well as the economy. She covers the mitigations available for impacts such as barging grain and electrical generation.
For more information, the following links were mentioned in the podcast:
* Wild Salmon Center and their work. This is also the center created by Guido Rahr of the book Stronghold. https://wildsalmoncenter...2021-12-1046 minConservation TodayLatest on Jordan Cove LNG project in OregonThis is a conversation with Deb Evans and Ron Schaaf about the Jordan Cove project. Deb and Ron are landowner plaintiffs in the Deborah Evans v. FERC lawsuit. We talk about what happened at the oral arguments in the DC Circuit court on October 28. Deb, Ron and other landowners threatened with eminent domain, were represented by the Niskanen Center. https://www.niskanencenter.org/
Also at the October 28 court hearing, environmental groups were represented by Sierra Club and Western Environmental Law Center. https://westernlaw.org/
Recording of the October 28 argument is here: https://www.cadc.uscourts...2021-11-1359 minConservation TodayDr. Bob Dannenhoffer talks about the Covid pandemic in Douglas CountyThis is a conversation with Dr. Robert Dannenhoffer, the Douglas County Public Health Officer. We discuss the current state of the Covid pandemic in Douglas County, and what you can do keep yourself healthy. The current situation is dire, with many dying needlessly at Mercy Medical Center.
Bob discusses some of the myths surrounding the Covid vaccines. He explains how the vaccines were developed so quickly, yet safely, under Operation Warp Speed. For more information on how you can get a vaccine or a Covid test, see https://douglaspublichealthnetwork.org/. Or call 541-464-6550.
Our...2021-09-1651 minConservation TodayWinchester Dam, what is wrong with it and who will fix it?This is a conversation with Jim McCarthy, the Southern Oregon Program Director for WaterWatch of Oregon. Waterwatch is part of a coalition of conservation groups suing over the fish-killing Winchester Dam on the North Umpqua River, North of Roseburg. Jim describes the history of the dam, ownership, management, and why the dam kills fish, including coho, steelhead, and pacific lamprey.
Visit Waterwatch at: https://waterwatch.org/. Winchester Dam page: https://waterwatch.org/programs/winchester-dam/
Fact sheet on Winchester Dam: https://waterwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/WINCHESTER-DAM-FACT-SHEET-FINAL-11-10-20.pdf
Our ending song is “Big Fa...2021-06-2558 minConservation TodayAudrey Squires describes restoration projects funded by the PacificCorp Mitigation FundsThis is a conversation with Audrey Squires, Umpqua Restoration Program Coordinator for the mitigation funds from the North Umpqua Hydro Project. The Hydro Project’s 2001 settlement agreement required PacificCorp to pay annual funding for restoration projects to mitigate their wildlife impacts. Audrey describes the types of wildlife impacts, types of restoration projects, and volunteer opportunities.
For more information:
The North Umpqua Hydro Project, see https://www.pacificorp.com/energy/hydro/north-umpqua-river.html
The Umpqua National Forest page with mitigation fund information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umpqua/landmanagement/resourcemanagement/?cid=stelprdb5387276 (The FY 22 projects, soon to...2021-06-0455 minConservation TodayKimberly Holmquist, Douglas County Community RightsToday we talk with Kimberly Holmquist about Douglas County Community Rights and some issues before the Douglas County Commissioners, including the proposed 2,800 acre destination resort planned for near Yoncalla. Kimberly also describes the history of the “Doctrine of Discovery”, and how it favors corporate rights over community rights.
The ending song is "Why Am I An Anarchist?" by Norman Nawrocki.
For more information about the Douglas County issues discussed in this podcast, see:
https://celdf.org/community-rights/
https://communityrightslanecounty.org/
https://orcrn.org/Lincoln-county/
https://orcrn.org/
2021-05-1552 minConservation TodayKyle Reed, Fire Prevention SpecialistThis conversation with Kyle Reed is about how to keep safer during fire season. Kyle is the Fire Prevention Specialists at the Douglas Forest Protective Association. Kyle talks about the Firewise program for neighborhood groups, ways to better protect your home from a wildland fire, and how to keep track of the changing guidelines for your work as the fire season progresses. Below are links to more information that Kyle referred to:
www.firewise.org ... for your neighborhood group;
https://www.dfpa.net/ ... to keep track of fires in our area and times chainsaws or...2021-04-3050 min
Conservation TodayKat Stone and her Oregon Senate District 1 campaign, and other work in Douglas CountyWe speak with Kat Stone who ran for the Oregon State Senate District 1 last year, against the republican Dallas Heard. Kat will tell us about her campaign, including reforming the tax structure for private industrial land owners. Kat will also talk about her other activities, like monitoring the Douglas County Commissioners meetings.
The day after we recorded this podcast, Kat's campaign manager for her 2020 senate campaign, Christian Avana, suddenly passed away. So we got back together to talk about Christian and his gifts to our community.
In Memory of Christian, our final song is "Rise" by Alice DeMicele. It is...2021-04-0759 min
Conservation TodayThacker Pass Lithium Mine occupation, with Will FalkWill Falk is occupying the site of an approved lithium mine in northern Nevada, near the southern Oregon border. Will describes why the BLM approved this mine in January 2021, and why he, and his friend Max Wilbert, are determined to stop it. To find out how you can help or how to join Max and Will, visit their web site at https://www.protectthackerpass.org/
Will and Max upload beautiful writings and photos of the sagebrush habitat at that site. Note the donation button. Also visit Will's other web page at http://willfalk.org/
Our closing song is "Paradise", by...2021-03-0558 min
Conservation TodayOregon People's RebateThis is an interview with Antonio Gisbert and Patty Sherin about the Oregon People's Rebate, a proposed initiative petition for the November 2022 election that will rebate about $750 to every Oregonian, every year, by raising taxes on the largest corporations to 3%. Currently Oregon corporations pay some of the lowest corporate tax in the nation. Under this initiative large corporations would pay just a little more. This money would then be distributed to people in Oregon. For more information, see https://opr2022.org/en.
Our ending song is "Occupy the USA" by Emma's Revolution. You can download it here: https://emmasrevolution.com...2021-02-1155 min
Conservation TodayDr. Phil Harding with Citizens Climate LobbyDr. Phil Harding is with Citizens Climate Lobby. We talk about HB 763, a federal climate bill supported by Citizens Climate Lobby, including what its impact would be on citizens, companies and our climate, as well as its impact on Oregon projects, such as Jordan Cove LNG and the timber industry. How does it differ from a state bill we have tried to pass in Oregon? Later, Phil talks about his work at Willamette Falls Paper Company, developing non-tree-fiber paper. Do they use hemp fiber? What about the carbon footprint of recycled paper? Phil will answer those questions.
Ending music is...2021-01-0757 min
Conservation TodayKirk Blaine, Native Fish SocietyThis is a conversation with Kirk Blaine, the Southern Oregon Regional Coordinator of the Native Fish Society. We talk about native fish in the Umpqua basins, including impacts from Winchester Dam (north of Roseburg, near Umpqua Community College), Rock Creek Fish Hatchery (east of Glide near Swiftwater Park), the Archie Creek fire, and more. You can contact Kirk at kirk@nativefishsociety.org and find out more about The Native Fish Society here: https://nativefishsociety.org/about
We finish by listening to Ashland artist Alice DiMicele singing "Chinook Blues" from the One Land, One Heart album.2020-12-1653 min
Listening PostCoast Range Forest Watch, Janet Moore Podcast: Conservation TodayEpisode: Coast Range Forest Watch, Janet MoorePub date: 2018-02-11Get Podcast Transcript →powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarizationJanet Moore is with the Coast Range Forest Watch. We talk about the campaign to save the Elliott State Forest by being certified to survey for Marbled Murrelets, a small seabird that depends on the Elliott for nesting. We also discuss other threats to the Oregon coast range, such as Coal Bed Methane, aerial herbicide spraying, and the problems with the low taxes paid by industrial pr...2020-09-191h 01
Conservation TodayDouglas County, shall the name refer to Stephen or David Douglas?We talk with Ken Carloni and Kasey Hovik about changing the "Douglas" reference, for Douglas County, from Stephen Douglas (a politician) to David Douglas (the botanist who first described the Douglas fir tree). In the first half we also discuss the racist beginnings of Oregon, including the racist views of Joseph Lane, who Roseburg's middle school is named after. In the second half we also discuss the ecological practices of Native Americans in Oregon. It all makes for a fascinating discussion.
In honor of David Douglas's work naming Oregons plants, our ending song is about naming wildlife, "A Crash of...2020-08-0153 min
Conservation TodayGordon Marvin talks about the 1996 Hubbard Creek Landslide.In this conversation with Gordon Marvin we talk about a landslide that ripped through his community, Stump Acres, near Umpqua Oregon in 1996. It came out of a 9-year-old clearcut above their property, and killed 4 people, including Gordon's wife, Sharon Marvin, and his two friends Rick and Susan Moon. I was unsuccessful in getting someone from the Oregon Department of Forestry to talk to us about how logging rules changed as a result of this slide, to now include a (small) public safety component.
Gordon and I cover some additional private-land logging issues, including aerial spray rules. Public notice for aerial...2020-07-1754 min
Conservation TodayCommunity Resistance to Jordan CoveThis is a recording of the April 7 WildChat webinar from Cascadia Wildlands concerning the community resistance to Jordan Cove. It includes Deb Evans, an impacted landowner threatened with eminent domain, Gabe Scott, on the legal team, and Ka'ila Farrel-Smith, a Klamath Modoc artist and anti-pipeline activist. Sam Krop from Cascadia Wildlands is the moderator.
Here is a link to the video of this conversation:
https://vimeo.com/405639387?fbclid=IwAR1dtYbQqkmT2VOd48cSr5r0yCXtW-1spuM_D8KGHr9uZw2pxUbYwdD_dzo
To join future the WildChat webinars of Cascadia Wildlands, go here:
https://www.cascwild.org/weekly-wildchats-with-cascadia/
To read more about...2020-04-1058 min
Conservation TodayJordan Cove Energy Project panel webinar, the day FERC approved itThis is a March 19, 2020 presentation sponsored by the Great Old Broads for Wilderness about the Jordan Cove Energy Project. It was supposed to be a live panel given in Portland. But with Corvid, the live presentation was replaced by a webinar, and thus you get to listed to it. In the morning of March 19, the U.S. Government gave the Canadian corporation, Pembina, permission to condemn land for the Jordan Cove Energy Project. So it was a timely presentation.
We hear from myself, Francis Eatherington, Pam Ordway, a landowner near Camas Valley whose land is threatened with eminent domain, Damon...2020-03-211h 13
Conservation TodayWill Falk, author of How Dams Fail, talks about Community Rights.Should nature have rights, like people have rights and corporations have rights? Will Falk, from Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, helped bring a federal lawsuit seeking rights for the Colorado River. Will talks about the Colorado River, his book, and why nature deserves to have rights.
For more information, see https://celdf.org.
The ending song is "Battered Earth", by Sweet Honey in the Rock, from their album "Twenty Five".2020-03-0353 min
Conservation TodayRalph Bloomers talks about an MOU signed by environmentalists and logging corporations.Ralph Bloomers, from the Craig Law Center, will explain the MOU and legislation supported by 13 environmental groups and 13 industrial timber operators. It would require logging buffers on streams in the Siskiyou watersheds to be as large as our more northern watersheds. It would require larger buffers for helicopters that spray pesticides from the air. Homes and schools now get only a 60' buffer (Washington state gives 200'). The new legislation would help protect school children and families with a 300' buffer from aerial-sprayed herbicides next to homes and schools.
For more information about Ralph's organization, see: https://crag.org/
For...2020-02-2759 min
Conservation TodayAnother try for Oregon's Climate Bill, and, Logging in AlaskaFirst, we talk with Stuart Leibowitz, from the Douglas County Global Warming Coalition, about Oregon's new "Cap and Invest" bill, SB 1530, this year's version of the proposal to limit carbon emissions in Oregon.
Stuart will also talk about the rally in Salem in support of this bill on February 11, and how to get there from Roseburg.
To join the carpool, call 541-672-9819. For more information, see: https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyGlobalWarmingCoalition/,
and http://www.douglascountyglobalwarmingcoalition.com/
In the second half of the show we speak with Mike Burk about his experience working in Alaska, and the problems with the...2020-02-0659 min
Conservation TodaySamantha Krop, Cascadia WildlandsSamantha Krop works with Cascadia Wildlands. https://www.cascwild.org/
Sam talks about the federal timber sales, including Roseburg BLM sales in Douglas County. One alarming sale is "Umpqua Sweets" in the North Umpqua watershed. Pictures can be seen here:
https://www.cascwild.org/umpqua-sweets-chronicles-vol-1-down-by-the-riverside/
https://www.cascwild.org/umpqua-sweets-chronicles-vol-4-community/
https://flic.kr/s/aHsmHuWwvZ
Lone Rock Timber's new road, built through BLM old growth last year ,will now be used by BLM to log the forest on either side of the road. https://flic.kr/s/aHskvJ7H4Q
Samantha also talks about the Elliott State Forest...2019-12-2858 min
Conservation TodayOregon's Forestry Laws: What is wrong with them and how we can fix them.Jason Gonzales, with Oregon Wild, talks about the Oregon Forest Practices Act, (OFPA) and how it fails to protect Oregon's forest ecosystems. We have the weakest logging rules for private lands in the Pacific Northwest. Jason details the economic and environmental problems with the OFPA. In the second half of this conversation, Jason talks about three (or six) ballot measures that are proposed to be in front of voters November 2020, and how you can help.
Ballot initiatives described here, with good information on Oregon forests: https://forestwaters.org/
North Coast Communities for Watershed Protection. Sign up to help this process...2019-11-1456 min
Conservation TodayOregon Ballot Measures addressing the ClimateStuart Leibowitz discusses three upcoming ballot measures the Douglas County Global Warming Coalition is trying to get in front of voters, especially since the Cap and Invest bill failed earlier this years due to the republican walk-out.
Stuart also describes an important upcoming event you don't want to miss: October 30, 6:30 at the Roseburg Library: "Moving toward a fossil fuel free future". With professor Randall Bluffstone and Dylan Kruse from Sustainable Northwest. (We talked with Dylan Kruse on this program last year. https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=329967).
To support the Douglas County Global Warming Coalition, make checks out to OEC...2019-10-2451 min
Conservation TodayBarabara Davis talks about the court overturning Lincoln County's measure 21-177Barbara Davis, Lincoln County Community Rights, continues her discussion about the Lincoln County ban on aerial herbicide spraying. Just a few days after we talked last week, a court ruled and overturned the measure voted into law by the residents of Lincoln County. Barbara talks about the court ruling, and how to move on from here. We also talked more about the problems with the Oregon Forest Practices Act governing private land logging, including lack of regulations on aerial herbicide spraying. It is unfortunate that the wishes of the Lincoln County Citizens was challenged by the timber industry and overturned.
...2019-10-0649 min
Conservation TodayCommunity RightsMichelle Holman (Lane County) and Barbara Davis (Lincoln County) talk about the efforts to pass Community Rights in their counties, and how Douglas County citizens could benefit from this. For instance, Lincoln County citizens passed a ban on aerial herbicide spraying (spraying pesticides from helicopters over industrial lands, over streams or near to rural residents). Barbara and Michelle talk about what is community rights, the national and international movement, and how the Rights of Nature is part of the movement. For more information see:
•Oregon Community Rights Network: https://orcrn.org/
•Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund: https://celdf.org/
•Community Rights...2019-09-3045 min
Conservation TodayStuart Liebowitz talks about climate change and four upcoming events in Douglas CountyThis is a conversation with Stuart Liebowitz from the Douglas County Global Warming Coalition. Stuart talks about climate change, the failed Cap and Invest bill in the Oregon Legislature, and other current events. Stuart also talks about 4 upcoming events in Douglas County:
1. Friday September 20, 12 to 1 pm. Join the national Climate March to demand climate action now! Garden Valley Blvd in front of Fred Meyer
https://allevents.in/roseburg/roseburg-climate-strike/200017949390109
2. Friday September 27, 6-9 pm at the Library: Roseburg Water Symposium called "Protecting the Headwaters in an Extreme Climate."
https://umpquawatersheds.org/event/protecting-the-headwaters/
3. October 5 is the Smart Energy Tour, beginning at 9:00...2019-09-1247 min
Conservation TodayJanice Reid talks about spotted owls, research and resultsJanice Reid is one of the top spotted owl researchers in the country. She gave a presentation about her research, and the results, to Umpqua Valley Audubon in late march. This is a recording of that presentation. It is fascinating, including the ecology of the spotted owl, their prey, threats to the owls, and their current status state-wide and specific to Douglas County. For more information about the sponsor of this presentation, see:
http://umpquaaudubon.org/2019-05-2859 min
Conservation TodayDr. Dominick DellaSala talks about forests, carbon and wildfireDr. Dominick DellaSala talks about fire, including how wildfire is beneficial to our ecosystems. Does thinning help reduce fire? Does it help the forest? It depends. In any case, Dr. DellaSala explains why salvage logging a burned forests is so destructive. Dr. DellaSala also explains the relationship between climate change and forests, and the carbon capture and release of a forest. Finally, Dominick summarizes the green-new-deal from congress.
In the last part of this podcast I talk more about the Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline, the BLM's 2018 no-mitigation policy, and the new 885-acre reserve the BLM plans to give to Jordan...2019-05-1654 min
Conservation TodayJordan Cove Project: It's time to write our comments. Tell the feds what you think.We speak with two people about the Jordan Cove Energy Project, Stacey McLaughlin and Allie Rosenbluth. Stacey talks about the marine mammal harassment authorization request that Pembina has made, about the pipeline proposed through her property, and the Coastal Zone pipeline permit reauthorizations that the judge found Douglas County did illegally. We also discuss impacts to whales as well as the new 880-acre reserve the BLM plans to give to the foreign corporation in place of BLM's wildlife reserves.
Allie Rosenbluth talks about the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and the comments our government is asking from us before July...2019-05-0356 min
Conservation TodayGlide Wildflower Show: What it is, how it's put together, history, and homemade piesGlide Wildflower Show organizers, Becky McRae, Debbie Barbrae, and Dianne Mascarello describe the inner workings of the world-renouned Glide Wildflower Show. The show this year is April 27 and 28 in Glide Oregon, east of Roseburg. The history of the show is described, starting in 1965 to the present day. Hundreds (600 to 700) of plant species are collected, in bloom when possible, identified by botanists, and beautifully displayed at the Glide Community Center, along with great home-made pies for sale. It is one of my favorite events of the year, with information on native plants, noxious weeds, rare plants, tree species, etc. DON'T MISS...2019-04-1555 min
Conservation TodayFeminism is discussed by two professors who teach the subject.Elana Porter and Helen Laurence talk to us about feminism and women's studies. Elana, a PhD Student in women's studies, talks about the "Intersectionality Feminism", considering race, sex, class, ability, and how those experiences overlap. Elana also talks about the relationship between environmental issues and women's issues.
Starting at 40:13, Helen Laurence, one of the founders of the Women and Gender studies at Umpqua Community Collage, talks about how equal rights for women helps all genders. Helen's specialty is eco-feminism: how the environment is treated reflects how women are treated. At 7 minutes into our conversation with Helen, a storm starts and...2019-03-2858 min
Conservation TodayNative Plant Society, with Neal HadleyNeal Hadley, president of the Native Plant Society of the Umpqua Valley, talks about the mission and work of the Native Plant Society (NSO). Neal talks about some of the Umpqua's endemic plants and encourages us to see some of the native plant gardens in Roseburg, including the front yard of 548 Hickory street and next to the Arts Center on Harvard. Neal talks about the work to protect native species, such as oak trees, the Rough Popcorn Flower and Cox Maripossa Lilly, as well as our best public lands to see native flowers in the County. Neal describes the valuable...2019-03-1058 min
Conservation TodayLive at the Public Interest Environmental Law ConferencePIELC Live: On March 2, Eugene community radio, KEPW, 97.3, hosted Conservation Today live at the annual Public Interest Environmental Law Conference in Eugene. We interviewed the following people (and the time they speak in the podcast):
Joseph Vaile, Klamath Wildlands Center, Kebrhea Cuellar, Oregon Wild (12:11), John Abbe, assistant station manager of KEPW (23:00), Dan Pennnington, Coast Range Forest Watch (24:00), Jimmy Betts, Beyond Extreme Energy (34:35), Dave Stone, Douglas Fir National Monument. (41:29), John Jordan-Cascade, Beyond Toxics, (51:00).2019-03-0659 min
Conservation TodayDr. John Telberth, Center for Sustainable Economy and Citizens at the Douglas County RallyDr. John Telberth talks about Oregon's Clean Energy Jobs Bill, and other bills, describing what additional protections are needed to fully meet Oregon's climate goals. Dr. Telberth also describes the carbon impacts from Oregon's logging industry and the unfair tax subsides they receive.
Later (beginning at 31:06), I talked with Douglas County citizens at the "Rally for Transparency" on February 19 at the county courthouse. Lately there has been a rash of complaints against the county commissioners, including the logging at Whistlers Bend Park, the permitting of the Pacific Connector Pipeline that was found illegal, the closing of rural dump sites, the...2019-02-2157 min
Conservation TodayDylan Kruse on Oregon's carbon reduction bill, and Tonia Moro on the Douglas County pipeline permits recently found illegalDylan Kruse talks about the state's Cap and Invest bill, and how it works to reduce carbon in Oregon. Dylan starts at 18:00. First on today's show is Tonia Moro, lawyer for landowners in Douglas County. She talks about the recent court ruling overturning Douglas County's decisions to grant and renew Jordan Cove's Pacific Connector Pipeline permits.2019-02-0759 min
Conservation TodayClean Energy Jobs Bill and Whistlers Bend County ParkStuart Leibowitz speaks about the Clean Energy Jobs Bill in the first half our show. Later we talk about the logging at Whistlers Bend Park currently ongoing.
Stuart encourages us to join the Lobby Day in Salem on February 6 to help pass Oregon's Clean Energy Jobs Bill (sometimes known as a Cap and Pay bill). Stuart explains the concept behind the bill: 25,000 metric tons of carbon pollution allowed, and then the polluter has to pay for more. Stuart talks about how this would apply to the Jordan Cove project where the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal in Coos Bay would...2019-01-2556 min
Conservation TodayJordan Cove public hearing in CanyonvilleThis week we hear from dozens of Douglas County residents about the Jordan Cove export terminal, and the Pacific Connector Pipeline, projects of a Canadian corporation, Pembina. Pembina is asking the state of Oregon for a removal-fill permit to dig a 3' deep trench through 450 waterways in southern Oregon to lay their 230-mile gas-pipeline to bring fracked natural gas to Coos Bay. The state of Oregon (Department of State Lands) also has to permit (or not) the dredging of the bay of Coos Bay so massive ocean tankers can take this gas to Asia, via a liquefaction terminal Pembina wants...2019-01-1159 min
Conservation TodayBecky McRay, The North Umpqua Foundation presidentToday we have a conversation with Becky McRae, President of the North Umpqua Foundation. Becky describes the programs of the NUF: restoration work in the North Umpqua watershed, scholarship programs, Fish Watch to protect steelhead fish in Steamboat Creek, and community education. Becky talks about favorite places to visit on the North Umpqua, "the most beautiful river in the world". The North Umpqua Foundation is also a patent holder on a unique new tool to extract DNA from fish with no harm to the fish, by collecting fish slime as it passes by a WIFI enabled monitoring station.
For more...2018-12-2651 min
Conservation TodayJames Caplan talks about his many projects in the UmpquaJim "Cap" Caplan tells us a bit of his history with the forest service, including the time he worked at the Bridger-Teton National Forest while the famous Yellowstone wildland fire broke out in 1988.
Jim is currently the COO of the Environmental Dispute Resolution USA, and teaches a class on the subject at UCC. Jim is also a founding member of the Umpqua Forestry Coalition and talks about their role in forest management.
Jim was the Forest Supervisor of the Umpqua National Forest starting in 2002, while I was working with Umpqua Watersheds. We were pleased that Jim turned the forest toward...2018-12-1059 min
Conservation TodayStanley Petrowski talks ecosystems on the South Umpqua RiverStanley Petrowski, founder of the South Umpqua Rural Community Project talks with us today. Stan gives us a history of the fish abundance in the South Umpqua River, and the alarming low numbers this year. Both Coho and spring chinook seem to be on the brink of extension in the south Umpqua, following summer steelhead that are already extent.
Restoration activities include putting large wood in streams, because Oregon law required large wood to be removed from steams to protect bridges and other infrastructure. Thus, all the fish habitat created by large wood was removed, and now needs to be...2018-12-0157 min
Conservation TodaySteven Cole documents old growth forests saved by Umpqua WatershedsSteve Cole is a cartographer and photographer of old growth forests. He has been documenting public land timber sales on the Umpqua, mostly sales stopped by Umpqua Watersheds in the late 90's and early 2000's. Steve has a remarkable website documenting this work: umpquaLSOGproject.org. Steve's site is a celebration of what good work we all did back then, including the brave activists that sat in trees to protect them. I recently rode with Steve as he visited two of those sales, the Snog sale (1999, on the Diamond Lake RD), and the White Castle sale (2014, Roseburg BLM). We also visited...2018-11-1556 min
Conservation TodayChris Rush, botanist and member of South Umpqua Rural Community PartnershipChris describes the work of the South Umpqua Rural Community Partnership in the area of Tiller Oregon, such as Oak habitat and fish habitat restoration. Chris describes some of the reasons there were only 30 Coho salmon returning up the South Umpqua this year. Only 30 South Umpqua Coho left!
One problem is the industrial private land logging in the watershed, with too many roads and too small riparian buffers. Chris describes the problems with aerial herbicide spraying on industry land, with examples of over-spraying. Chris gives a list of alternative ways to treat invasive and noxious weeds.
Chris was the first...2018-10-3058 min
Conservation TodayStuart Leibowitz talks about the recent UN Report on Climate ChangeStuart Leibowitz, from Douglas County Global Warming Coalition, discusses the just-released UN Climate Report. It says we have to reduce fossil fuel use by 45% by 2030 or 2040. Stuart discusses the differences between our climate rising 1.5 vs. 2.0 degrees (it is currently 1.0 degrees hotter). Stuart also discusses current Oregon efforts to pass cap-and-trade legislation that will make polluters pay for carbon release, and redistribute that money to invest in low-income communities.
You can find out more about Douglas County Global Warming Coalition here: http://www.douglascountyglobalwarmingcoalition.com/
Two upcoming events sponsored by theCoalition are on October 23 and November 8, both at the Holiday Inn...2018-10-1858 min
Conservation TodayNorth Umpqua Hydro Project and salmon. A conversation with Richard GrostRichard is the Aquatic Scientist for the North Umpqua Hydro Project. He describes how the project was originally built in the late 1940's through the early 50's. Then in 1990's it went through it's 50-year relicensing, making it more fish-friendly, even putting a fish ladder on Soda Springs Damn. Richard discusses the technology for getting the fish over the dam and back down, and other improvements of the relicensing. Richard also discusses the general ecology of salmon in the North Umpqua River.
A movie of the Hydro Project can be seen here: https://youtu.be/_mpyX3N57oU.
Richard also...2018-10-0559 min
Conservation TodayPat Quinn talks About BLM Public LandsPat describes his work as the Conservation Chair of Umpqua Watersheds. He monitors public land projects and provides comments to BLM on behalf of the public. Pat talks about the new BLM management plan and how logging is not regulated. Pat describes recent studies that describe how the private industrial timber land that surrounds public BLM land degrade the BLM and degrade our watersheds in general. Industrial tree plantations are more prone to wildland fire as well as cause summer low flows in streams. Pat also talks about how private industrial timber corporations pay far lower taxes than they have...2018-09-151h 10
Conservation TodayBiochar -- What is it, What good is it, and How is it made. Described by Scott McKain from UBETBiochar is the topic of this week's conversation with Scott McKain, from the Umpqua Basin Education Team (UBET). Scott discusses the chemistry of biochar, and why it is so good for soils. We also talk about the Amazon indians use of biochar, which is still evident 3,000 years later. Scott describes how biochar can be made locally, including how you can make some in your back yard, and the best techniques for applying it to your garden. We discuss how some timber industry mills distribute biochar, and the UBET attempt to convert logging slash piles to biochar on the Umpqua National...2018-09-0658 min
Conservation TodayOregon Forest Practices Act discussed by Jason Gonzalez from Oregon WildJason describes problems with the Oregon Forest Practices Act (OFPA), and how it fails to protect people, fish, and wildlife from industrial forest management on corporate private lands. For instance, schools and homes have inadequate buffers from the pesticides sprayed from helicopters on clearcuts. Jason describes studies that found industrial tree plantations are a fire hazard and also contribute to summer low water flows in Oregon streams. The forest practices of adjoining states (Washington, California and Idaho) have far greater protections for fish, soils, and people. These states also have a tax on trees cut that help provide public services...2018-08-201h 02
Conservation TodayDouglas County Parks and other county issues discussed by Kat Stone and John HunterKat Stone and John Hunter talk about Douglas County Park politics, including the value of the parks, the Parks Master Plan, and the loss of parks like Busenbark. Also discussed are the gun issues in the county, Bolon Island (near Reedsport), and the county's proposal to circumvent land-use laws by allowing property to be chopped into smaller pieces. Other county parks discussed are Discovery Point in Winchester Bay, and Mildred Kanipe Park near Oakland.
John and Kat are two of the directors of Umpqua Watersheds. You can donate to their watchdog expenses by clicking on the donate button here:
http...2018-08-081h 03
Conservation TodayWildlife Safari Education Director Leila Goulet, and the bear encounterWildlife Safari in Winston Oregon is a 600-acre facility helping to conserve some of the world's most endangered species. They provide a spectacular drive-through wildlife park, where the animals roam free and we stay in our cars. I talked with Wildlife Safari education director Leila Goulet. Leila talks about the history of Wildlife Safari, it's education programs, and the iconic wildlife species staying in the park. Afterwards I went on one of several "Wildlife Encounters" provided by the park, the Bear Encounter. In this part of the recording, you will hear the bear keeper talking about two different kinds of...2018-07-221h 00
Conservation TodayMark Lenihan, president of PFLAG RoseburgMark Lenihan is president of Douglas County's new chapter of PFLAG, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. PFLAG just finished sponsoring the second annual Gay Pride in Roseburg. Mark explains the how our local chapter fits into the national PFLAG organization. Mark talks about his background, and how he transformed from a traditional view of LGBTQ identified people, to where he is now, supporting the community. Mark explains what all those letters mean (LGBTQ), problems faced by the Douglas County community, and how PFLAG is helping to solve those problems with education, social services and other support. Mark gives...2018-07-1149 min
Conservation TodayLisa Arkin talks about the work Beyond Toxics does in OregonLisa Arkin, executive director of Beyond Toxics, describes how this state-wide organization works to reduce toxins in our environment. This includes protecting bees from neonicotinoids, a pesticide that kills our most important food pollinator. Lisa describes the problems with corporate forestry and their aerial herbicide spray program, including chemical impacts to rural Oregonians. She describes incidents in Douglas County. Lisa talks about road-side spraying, including the recent killing of thousands of mature ponderosa pine trees along a scenic highway. Lisa explains how Lane County, in contrast to Douglas County, does virtually NO roadside spraying. Finally, Lisa talks about Environmental Justice...2018-06-2859 min
Conservation TodayCristina Hubbard, of Forest Web, talks about saving old growth forests, wolves, and ecosystems in OregonCristina Hubbard is executive director of Forest Web of Cottage Grove. Like the mycorrhizal fungal filaments beneath the forest floor, holding the ecosystem together, Forest Web pulls information and actions together from many local groups. Forest Web is also involved in protecting local parks and BLM old growth forests near Cottage Grove, like the Boehner Woods they convinced the BLM to designate as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). Cristina talks about their fight to protect the Elliott State Forest, Wolves in Oregon, and even the Roseburg BLM old growth forest threatened by the Lone Rock Timber's road right...2018-06-101h 00
Conservation TodayRobin Wisdom talks about the League of Women Voters in the Umpqua ValleyRobin Wisdom, current treasurer for the League of Women's voters, former state president, describes the work of The League. She talks about the structure, studies, and positions. The history of The League is tied to the 1920 victory for the women's vote, and is now a national group supporting voting education. Robin talks about the upcoming "Garden Party" on June 16. See their website for more information: lwvuv.wordpress.com2018-05-2751 min
Conservation TodayAl Walker and Bob Allen talk about alternate energy in Douglas CountyAl Walker was an early adopter of solar energy in Douglas County when he built his off-the-grid home near Idleyld Park. Al tought the subject at Umpqua Community Collage, and then became a solar installer consultant. Bob Allen, also present, was one of his first customers. Al talks about he solar-energy in the area over the last 20 years, and how it has evolved to today. Al and Bob also use their home solar energy systems to charge up their electric cars. They discuss the different types of electric cars in use today, and where to access electric car chargers in...2018-05-1057 min
Conservation TodayMaya Jarrad talks about a pipeline.Maya Jarrad works with landowners threatened with eminent domain by a Canadian Corporation that wants to put a pipeline through Douglas County to facilitate shipping Canadian gas to Asia. The 230-mile pipeline, from Malin (near K Falls), to Coos Bay, would require at least a 100' wide clearcut through fire-prone forests of Southern Oregon, crossing over 400 waterways, many with fish who will be harmed by the warmed and dirtied waters. Keep track of the project via this web site: NOLNGEXPORTS.org2018-05-1056 min
Conservation TodayUmpqua Watersheds Executive Director, Kasey Hovik, talks of their programs and eventsKasey Hovik is the Executive Director of Umpqua Watersheds, our own local environment group in Douglas County. Kasey discusses their different projects, including education, outreach, and conservation programs. Children's educational programs include the annual camp out, trips to Crater Lake, and a program for older teens to work in the woods. Kasey describes the outreach program, bringing the community together in the annual River Appreciation Day, the Brew Fest, and the Banquet, as well as some new events in their parking lot this summer.2018-05-0656 min
Conservation TodayCrater Lake Wilderness proposal described by Robbin Schindele of Umpqua WatershedsRobbin Schindele is the Umpqua Watersheds Crater Lake Wilderness Campaign Coordinator. Robbin describes where the new wilderness proposal is, and why we need these additions. The benefits of wilderness is discussed, as well as some of the hardships, like clearing trails without a chainsaw. Robbin then describes the administration process for getting new wilderness designated, and where we are in the process for Crater Lake Wilderness Proposal.2018-04-2959 min
Conservation Today2 parts this week: BLM Old growth forest cut for roads, and, Keven Matthews wisdom.Francis talks about a new road Lone Rock Timber wants to build through a rare and beautiful old growth forest, with the blessing of Roseburg BLM. Even though Lone Rock has existing access to their adjoining land, and more direct access, the BLM will allow a huge new road and truck turn around to be cut through centuries old trees, in the best spotted owl habitat, without wildlife surveys, and during the height of the nesting season.
In the second half, Keven Matthews is talking at a herbicide spray panel in April. Kevin explains how the state of Oregon and...2018-04-2253 min
Conservation TodayUmpqua Wilderness by Bob HoehneBob Hoehne, chair of the Umpqua Watersheds Wilderness Committee, talks all things wilderness. Bob has been fighting for wilderness protections since the Umpqua Wilderness Defenders days in the mid 80's. He tells us about the three existing designated wilderness on the Umpqua, and why these are so important for ecology, science, and fisheries. Bob talks about other road-less areas on the Umpqua that should be designated wilderness in the near future.2018-04-1657 min
Conservation TodayOur Children's Trust Lawsuit. A summary by two of the plaintiffs.On January 10, 2018, in Roseburg Oregon, Jacob Lebel and Alex Loznak gave a presentation about Our Children's Trust lawsuit. Jacob and Alex are plaintiffs, along with 19 other youth plaintiffs across the United States. In the presentation Jacob and Alex explain the lawsuit strategy, what and when they hope to win.2018-04-0854 min
Conservation TodayDaniel Robertson, historian, talks about Oregon's O&C ActThis is an interview with Daniel Robertson, attorney, historian, and former Douglas County Museum director. Daniel describes the Oregon and California Railroad land grants, now known as the O&C Lands managed by the Roseburg and Coos Bay BLM. Also described is the Coos Bay Wagon Road land grants. Both required the railroads to sell to settlers, but instead, the railroads started selling to timber companies. Daniel describes the abundant land-fraud deals in Oregon at the turn of the century, and how the O&C lands were revisited back to the U.S. Government. The 1937 O&C Act, one of...2018-04-011h 10
Conservation TodayStacey McLaughlin talks about threats to Douglas County properties from eminent domain.Stacey McLaughlin describes how it feels to have her home threatened with eminent domain by a foreign corporation, for the controversial Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline. The pipeline would ship fracked gas, as LNG, to Asia and would require a 100-foot wide clear cut for 230-miles through Oregon. We learn the 13-year history of the project, the 2016 denial by the Federal Government, and the foreign corporations refiling in 2017. Stacey has also filed a legal appeal against Douglas County permits allowing the pipeline through the Coastal Zone. We learn about the dangers of the project such as building the proposed export terminal...2018-03-251h 06
Conservation TodayCascadia Wildlands, Gabe Scott on public forest management in Douglas CountyGabe Scott is in-house-council for Cascadia Wildlands, an environmental group that monitors public land projects in the Umpqua watershed, including the Elliott State Forest, Roseburg BLM, Coos Bay BLM, and the Umpqua National Forest. Gabe discusses the latest in managing these lands, including the rescue of the Elliott State Forest from being sold, types of logging on BLM lands, and how the Umpqua National Forest differs in their approach to managing our public forests. Near the end, Gabe also talks about the Jordan Cove Project and the Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline. See https://www.cascwild.org/2018-03-1458 min
Conservation TodayShannon Applegate, part 2, includes anthropologist Christopher Ruiz talking about the dig at the Applegate HouseThis is Part two of our conversation with Shannon Applegate, in Yoncalla at the Applegate House, built by Shannon's ancestors in 1852 and still occupied by the Applegate family. We also talk with Christopher Ruiz, University of Oregon anthropologist, about his research on the Applegate grounds. Chris works with the Museum of Natural and Cultural history. We talk about the archeological finds from both Native Americans and the European settlement. Shannon talks about the Native Americans history before the arrival of the Applegate's, how disease impacted the tribes, and some of the wildlife present when the Applegate's first arrived and are...2018-02-2854 min
Conservation TodayShannon Applegate talks about forestry history in the Pacific Northwest, as well as her family history.Shannon talks about her newest book, Minus Tides, describing the world war 1 effort to extract giant sita spruce trees from Oregon's coastal mountains to build war planes. In the second half, Shannon takes about the Applegate family, her ancestors, and how they participated in the "great migration" bringing settlers and livestock to Oregon. Shannon describes why the Applegate trail was created and how her ancestors eventually settled in Yoncalla Oregon. She describes the native americans they encountered, and some of the changes in the ecosystem due to white settlements. She also describes how the Applegate house was built, why it...2018-02-2853 min
Conservation TodayDr. Ken Carloni discusses fire management by Native Americans in the Umpqua watershed.Dr. Ken Carloni discusses the impacts of pre-European forest management with fire by Native Americans, and how forest management has changed through time. Ken talks about the importance of fire in the Umpqua watersheds, including fire impacts on wildlife and forest structure. He talks about how current forest management regimes could increase wildland fire impacts, and suggests how to change our logging practices to be more in harmony with nature.2018-02-151h 06
Conservation TodayCoast Range Forest Watch, Janet MooreJanet Moore is with the Coast Range Forest Watch. We talk about the campaign to save the Elliott State Forest by being certified to survey for Marbled Murrelets, a small seabird that depends on the Elliott for nesting. We also discuss other threats to the Oregon coast range, such as Coal Bed Methane, aerial herbicide spraying, and the problems with the low taxes paid by industrial private lands. For more information, see: https://coastrangeforestwatch.org/2018-02-111h 01
Conservation TodayStuart Liebowitz talks about climate change.Stuart, from Douglas County Global Warming Coalition, talks about the impacts of climate disruption in the pacific northwest, and about a bill in the Oregon legislature we all should support.2018-02-0449 min
Conservation TodayPeggy Cheatham talks about efforts to help injured and orphaned wildlife.Peggy talks about volunteer efforts to rehabilitate injured and orphaned wildlife in Douglas County. She discusses the requirements volunteers need to best meet the needs of the wildlife, how to care for everything from birds to deer to bobcats. She also discusses the causes of wildlife injuries and how to prevent them. More information is found at www.umpquawildliferescue.org2018-01-2458 min