The Oregon Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources voted April 21 to pass out of committee a bill to restrict commercial gillnetting in the Columbia River. The vote was historic, as it was the first time in nearly 40 years that the Oregon Legislature made meaningful progress toward reducing gillnetting in the Columbia. The Committee voted 3-2 to forward Senate Bill 736, commonly known as SAFE for Salmon, to the Senate Rules Committee. 

The bill calls for moving the non-tribal commercial gillnet fleet in the lower-Columbia River below Bonneville Dam into off-channel Select Area Fisheries Enhancement (SAFE) areas.  These areas are currently in use and account for the majority of the commercial catch. SAFE for Salmon would change fish management of the Columbia River in order to reduce bycatch mortality on wild fish, increase sportfishing catch, and benefit Oregon's economy by providing a more consistent sportfishing season and more jobs, while at the same time providing tens of thousands of fish annually to the commercial fishery and general public.

Steelheaders has been working to reduce or remove gillnetting since the organization's beginnings 50 years ago, and has made several incredible achievements along the way, including eliminating the commercial steelhead fishery, banning high sea drift nets, and making the Columbia commercial salmon fishery selective.  The Senate Environment Committee's vote was historic, but it is only one hurdle of several, and everyone who cares about Columbia River wild salmon and sportfishing will need to weigh with their representatives to ensure SAFE successfully makes it through both houses.

Senators Jackie Dingfelder, Mark Hass and Floyd Prozanski voted in favor of the measure, while Senators Alan Olsen and Chuck Thomsen voted against it.

"We have a lot of Republican support for SB 736," said Association of Northwest Steelheaders Government Affairs Director Norm Ritchie. "Many of the sponsors of the bill are Republicans, but unfortunately the committee's vote was split along party lines.  Once it hits the Senate floor, the vote will show that this measure has bi-partisan support because it will enhance sportfishing jobs while protecting commercial fishing jobs and our wild salmon runs."

The Committee voted in favor (3-2) of an amendment to the bill that would only end mainstem Columbia gillnet fishing during the spring Chinook fishery, March-May. All other seasons, including summer and fall Chinook, would still be open to the gillnetting in the mainstem. The amendment also called on a moratorium for new gillnetting permits and permit renewals if the permits were not used in the last 12 months. These amendments, while not ideal, allowed the measure to move forward.

SB 736 is supported by Steelheaders, Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association, Trout Unlimited, Northwest Guides and Anglers Association, Coastal Conservation Association, and Oregon Wild, among others. The measure is also endorsed by the Oregon Conservation Network and Gov. Kitzhaber.

"Anglers often have as many ideas on how fish should be managed as they do gear types, but on this issue, we are united." said Russell Bassett, Northwest Steelheaders executive director. "It's refreshing to see the sportfishing and conservation communities work together and get some positive movement on this issue, but the gillnet lobby is very powerful and they don't seem to  let little things like facts or the truth get in the way of their messaging. Many Steelheaders joined ANWS because of this issue, and I want them to know that we are doing everything we can to shepherd SAFE through the 2011 legislature. We still have a long, tough road ahead, and we need all our members to contact their state representatives urging them to support SAFE for Salmon to be successful."

SB 736 is currently in the Senate Rules Committee, and will likely be amended further before passing to the Senate Floor. Steelheaders and our partners are working with the Rules Committee to resolve concerns. Please stay tuned for when SAFE for Salmon hits the Senate floor.

SAFE needs people willing to contact their representatives in person to discuss the importance of SAFE to Oregon's wild salmon, sportfishing, and economy. If you would be willing to contact your representatives, please contact Government Affairs Director Norm Ritchie at normritchie@q.com, 503-807-7729.

If you can't meet in person but would like to contact members of the Senate Rules Committee, their contact info is below 

Senate Majority Leader Diane Rosenbaum (Chair)
D-Portland, District 21

900 Court St. NE, S-223
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1700

sen.dianerosenbaum@state.or.us

Senate Minority Leader Ted Ferrioli (Vice-Chair)
R-John Day, District 30
900 Court St. NE, S-323
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1950

sen.tedferrioli@state.or.us

Senator Jason Atkinson
R-Central Point, District 2
900 Court St. NE, S-415
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1702

sen.jasonatkinson@state.or.us

Senator Lee Beyer
D-Springfield, District 6

900 Court St. NE, S-419
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1706

sen.leebeyer@state.or.us

Senate President Pro Tempore Ginny Burdick
D-Portland, District 18
900 Court St. NE, S-213
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1718

sen.ginnyburdick@state.or.us

Bring the whole family to Steelheaders' Summer Rendezvous June 24-26 at SunnySide County Park, 44930 Quartzville Drive, in Foster, OR. This first annual event is sponsored by the Emerald Empire, Mid-Valley and Salem Chapters and all Steelheaders members and their families are invited.

Fun activities for the entire family include drift boat steelhead fishing on the South Santiam River, trout and kokanee fishing on Green Peter Lake, Foster Lake and

a stocked pond at the campground, fishing instruction for kids, fish fry, sand volleyball, horseshoes, games and much, much more.

Be sure to register by May 20 to reserve your spot in the camping area. We need to have registrations in by May 20 to know how many people to plan meals and events for.

We've kept costs as low as possible: Only $5 per person (under age 7 is free) includes one dinner and

activities. Camping costs are additional. Each 10'x60' site in the Group Camp Area includes water/electrical hookups, a table and fire ring, at a cost of $30 for the weekend. There are 27 group sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. The General Tent Camping Area has room for approximately 15 tents at a cost of $8 per tent for the weekend. Tent campers will park in the park's main lot, or paya $6 parking fee to park in the group area (limited spaces available).  

Once we've received your registration form and payment, we'll send your more information. Please include your e-mail address. Registration forms are available HERE.

C U @ the Rendezvous!

Our lawyers have submitted final briefs to the court.  Based on the facts of the case and the precedent from past cases, we are likely to win more spill and better sport fisheries.  See op-ed in the Sunday Oregonian here. You as a citizen should demand it. You can go to our coalition site to send a letter to the Obama administration HERE.
 
Sea Lion Predation

The Marine Mammal Protection Act is flawed in having no exit strategy for achieving species population recovery and in requiring a public process rather than scientific analysis to determine the need for a "take".  Since 2005, ANWS has worked on both short term and long term solutions.State Rep. Hunt has stepped up the state's pressure with two pieces of legislation and addressing the same two prong approach as our 2005 Sea Lion Predation Resolution.  Both bills passed out of committee last week with our support. We are also supporting Federal Rep. Greg Walden's measure to allow the states and Tribes to do a limited lethal take of sea lions. 

Cuts To Conservation In The Federal Budget

May 15 and May 29: Salmonberry River winter steelhead spawning survey and temperature monitoring. Contact Ian Fergusson at 503-957-8875, ian.fergusson@comcast.net. 

June 4: Board of Directors meeting, 9:30 a.m., Tillamook Fair Grounds 4H Building, 4603 E 3^rd St., Tillamook.

June 11: Passport to Fishing free family fishing event, 9am at the Bonneville Fish Hatchery, 70543 NE Herman Loop, Cascade Locks.  

 June 14: Free Kids Fishing Day, 9am-3pm, Small Fry Lake at PGE's Promontory Park, Highway 224 five miles east of Estacada. Click HERE for more information on free family fishing events around Oregon.

June 24-26: Summer Steelheaders Rendezvous hosted by the Salem, Mid Valley and Eugene chapters. You won't want to miss this fun fishing event, but you most register by May 20! For more information and registration form click HERE.  

July 16: Western Red Cedar Fish Derby, 4:30 pm at the Glen Otto Park, Troutdale. $10 for each wooden fish in the Derby. Great prizes include a trip to Toman's King Camp in Alaska and an Ipad. For more information, contact Art Israelson at 503-666-2599, artisraelson@comcast.net.
 

July 23: McLoughlin Chapter Garage Sale at the Clackamas United Church of Christ, 15303 SE Webster Rd., Oak Grove. For more information or to provide items for the sale, contact Matt Rockweit at 503-334-7607, Rockweit5@gmail.com.  

July 30: Sandy Chapter's Getting Started for Steelhead fishing clinic at Glenn Otto Park from 9-12 a.m. For more information, contact Larry Palmer at 503-286-2093, palmerlarryd@yahoo.com.