New news....

Though most likely a bit tardy for many....following last weeks notes about the ODFW director interviews - it is oh-FISH-al - Curt Melcher will get the nod for the director position. Details will be worked out so acceptance may be a bit later.....

ODFW News Release

Tom Wolf let us know last week when it was announced and Tom has graciously reached out to Curt congratulating him and saying TU wanted to work with him in helping ODFW with their funding issues and conservation mission.

In the news.....

CEOs of a dozen venture capital firms say the solitude and recreation available on public land can be viewed as economic opportunities to attract new business to the West.   Photo of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge by Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives, on Wikimedia Commons

Investment CEOs: Public Lands a Smart Investment for U.S.

PORTLAND, Ore. — A dozen leaders of venture capital and investment firms say they think the United States should be "investing" in protecting more public land.

Members of the new "Conservation for Economic Growth Coalition" say they'll encourage Congress and the president to expand national parks and declare new national monuments and wilderness areas.

We interrupt this program with.....

What happens to Natural Resources if/when the Governor resigns?

With John Kitzhaber announcing his resignation today [effective Feb 18], Tom Wolf/OCTU Executive Director weighs in on the impacts for TU interest and expresses continued hope for the future:

[With the resignation of  Governor John Kitzhaber...] Secretary of State Kate Brown will become Governor until 2016 when there will be a special election to fill out the last 2 years of Kitzhaber's term.

So what happens then to natural Resources?.....

State of TU Address....

"Conservation isn't the telling of what's been or could be lost. It is the faith in, and work toward, what has yet to be won," Wood told members in the State of TU address. "The work that you do in your local communities is a demonstration of your commitment to the values that drive this organization."

State of Trout Unlimited from Trout Unlimited on Vimeo.

The State of TU presentation from Trout Unlimited President and CEO Chris Wood to members at TU's annual meeting in New Mexico shows TU had a big year in 2014, and its members and volunteers continued to play a vital role in the success of the national organization.

ODFW Director....3 shortlisted

ODFW announced last Friday [February 6th] that they are down to 3 finalists for the Department Director job. On the shortlist:

• Curt Melcher, interim Director ODFW
• Ed Bowles, ODFW Fisheries Director
• Krystyna Wolniakowski, former Director, USFW Foundation, now with OWEB

ODFW will have a public meeting on Thursday, February 12 from 9am to 12 noon where the public can ask questions. If you want to watch the hearing they are streaming it - http://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/commission/  .

Reminder!!

GENERAL MEETING!

WHEN: Wednesday, February 11, 2015
WHERE: Lucky Lab Public House [Multnomah] 
WHAT TIME: 6:30 p.m. Socializing; meeting starts at 7:00 p.m.
WHAT to EXPECT: Dave Hughes - "Trout from Small Streams"

Don't miss the BONUS PRESENTATION: Dave will include a casting demonstration and gear review prior to the meeting - join him at the Multnomah Arts Center Auditorium [across the street from the Lucky Lab] at 4:00 p.m. Bring your small stream set-up for some input and learn some technical casting techniques! Don't miss this SPECIAL BONUS.

As an added note: the TVTU board has purchased a portable PA system with handheld and remote microphones for the general meetings to enhance everyone's audio pleasure! We hope to have this added benefit to debut at this February meeting and presentation!

Green Decoys.....

From National TU an interesting notice was distributed - regarding OP/ED pieces and their sources:

In recent months, Trout Unlimited's national staff has become aware of an aggressive public relations campaign aimed at TU and several other prominent conservation organizations.

A Washington DC-based individual has been submitting opinion commentaries and letters to the editor accusing Trout Unlimited of having a hidden "left-wing environmental agenda."

Columbia Returns....

Tom Wolf back in December forwarded us some information on the ODFW/WDFW counts and forecasts for returns on the Columbia [all are CLICKABLE links]; we are just getting around to sending these on........

Columbia River Fall Chinook  - 2014

Preliminary Returns and Outlook - 2015

2014 Adult Returns

2015 Expectations Columbia River

Preliminary Draft

 Columbia River

Adult Salmon Returns: Actual and Forecast

2015

JOINT STAFF REPORT:

STOCK STATUS AND FISHERIES

2015

JOINT STAFF REPORT:

STURGEON AND SMELT

These and other published reports are also available through the ODFW Website <HERE>.

Elliot State Forest...catching up

Elliott rainforest   [photo: Cascadia Wildlands]

State of Oregon Shelves Elliott State Forest Privatization Idea

 97% of Public Comment Encourages a Conservation Solution for the Iconic Forest

The State of Oregon has decided against privatizing the Elliott State Forest after receiving overwhelming public comment encouraging a conservation solution for the 93,000-acre state forest located northeast of Coos Bay. 1,147 out of 1,185 comments received during the public process, or 97%, encouraged the Department of State Lands and the Oregon State Land Board to protect the iconic forests for its outstanding water quality, salmon and wildlife habitat, hunting and fishing opportunities and its remarkable ability to store carbon to mitigate climate change.

Instead of privatizing the forest, the Land Board, made up of Governor John Kitzhaber, Secretary Kate Brown, and Treasurer Ted Wheeler, will continue to explore various management alternatives

February at TVTU!!

The new year is passing us by - TVTU's Christmas for Coho public tree collection efforts are complete for the year, our rain is looking slightly behind for the year, snow is sorely lacking - fishing is looking up so far.....we hope everyone's team won the Superbowl [not really possible but we're hedging bets that the Seahawks are the overwhelming regional team and therefore everyone is pulling for them to take it....].

So what is in store for February with TVTU.............