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From the Riverkeeper
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 | | Your BEAUTIFUL Willamette River, by Allison Crepeau |
Dear Willamette River Aficionados -
First of all, a big Thank You to all of you who supported us financially by contributing at year end! Many of you contributed through Willamette Week's Give Guide, mailed in checks, or contributed through our website. The point is You gave - and we appreciate it very much!! It makes a very meaningful
and vital contribution to our work every year, and now more than ever.
 | | GBH on the river, by Travis Williams |
If you aren't already an aficionado of the Willamette, hopefully you will be soon. I know we have many people on our list-serve list who keep tabs on our work, but are not necessarily members. As part of our work, WR seeks to provide ample opportunities to learn about the Willamette River and its needs. In many instances, the programs of WR have taken people who just knew a bit about the Willamette, and turned them into advocates who take action.
Our work in 2013 will continue to be robust. We are dedicated to:
Making the Willamette River's water cleaner and safe for recreation
Sediment free of toxic contaminants
Habitat that provides for the needs of native species
Better fish passage at the big dams on the Willamette's tributaries, benefitting Spring Chinook and other native fish.
Our advocacy, policy, and legal work will continue in earnest on these issues.
Over the years one of the ways we have advanced our Mission is to better Connect people to the Willamette. In 2013 we will continue to do this in our Water Quality Monitoring Program, through our River Discovery Program, and through our Habitat Restoration Program. WR has a very solid crew of professionals who are passionate about WR's mission, and I feel fortunate to work with the WR Staff, given their excellence and all-out effort. Marci, Kate, Suzi and Amy - thank you for your effort and diligence!!
 | WR staff (L-R) Amy, Marci, Suzi, Kate, Travis:
Ready for action in 2013! |
We have a few new projects and opportunities in 2013. Stay tuned for sign up information for Willamette Riverkeeper's new River Camp. This will be a day camp for Middle School aged kids. This camp will teach canoeing skills, river history and ecology, field craft and more. We will announce full registration information in early March.
Thank you again for supporting our work..... and yes, see you on, along or near the River!
Travis Williams
Riverkeeper & Executive Director
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Clean Water Act Update
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 | | An aerial view of the pulp mill outfall, by Camilla Mortensen, Eugene Weekly |
In late summer of 2012, we sent a 60-day notice to the Halsey, OR based Cascade Pacific Pulp LLC of our intent to sue under violations of the Clean Water Act. Our effort has enabled us to work with the state and federal agencies on this issue in the past three months, and with the company.
As of this time, WR may be close to a settlement with this company that improves this situation in Halsey, and provides for some lasting benefits to water quality and habitat. We will provide a full summary when the settlement is final.
Read more about this violation in our printed Riverscape Newsletter.
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River Discovery: Saturday, 1/19
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 | | Approaching the Union Pacific Bridge on a previous Bridge Paddle (KR) |
What: Portland Bridge Paddle!
This is a fascinating and seldom paddled stretch of the Willamette. Enjoy a rare opportunity to admire Portland's iconic bridges from a unique perspective, while learning more about historic riverside industries, and todays Superfund challenges.
When: Saturday, January 19th, from 10:00am - about 2:00pm
Details: We'll begin at the SE Portland Boathouse and will paddle 7.5 miles downstream, passing under eight historic bridges (including the Hawthorne, Morrison, Burnside, Steel, Broadway, Fremont, Union Pacific Railroad, and St. Johns Bridges), ending our trip at Cathedral Park in St Johns.
 | | Exploring near Swan Island |
Meet at the SE Portland Boathouse (1515 SE Water Avenue, Portland) in the parking lot just above the boat ramp. Please arrive around 9:30am as we aim to launch no later than 10:00am.
Shuttle: Riverkeeper is offering a limited shuttle service from the take-out back to the SE Portland Boathouse. You must reserve a seat in our shuttle in advance (donations are suggested). We welcome participants to make their own shuttle arrangements as well. We expect to reach the take out sometime between 1:30pm and 2:00pm. The shuttle can take approximately 25-40 minutes (one way).
Be prepared: Participants should be comfortable paddling for 2-3 hours in current. Dress appropriately for cold and wet weather (packing a spare set of dry clothes and extra warm layers is a must! We will have extra dry bags on hand). Be smart about how you dress your feet: thick wool or fleece socks and warm rubber/waterproof boots are a good idea, so are GLOVES or poggies. Also bring water, snacks, lunch, a hot drink, and your camera!
To register: contact kate@willametteriverkeeper.org or call Kate at 503-223-6418. Riverkeeper canoes are available upon request (please register with a paddling partner).
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Riparian Zone Destruction
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This past summer we received calls and emails about a major cutting of trees and shrubs along the Willamette just a few miles upstream of Newberg. A landowner, who has a large property along the river, cleared much of the riparian zone on his land. Some riverside habitat was scraped down to bare soil. Concerned citizens and river users provided us with photographs (see above) and other information.
We first contacted Yamhill County. The County is supposed to implement the Willamette Greenway Program under land use planning Goal 15. In our discussion with the County, they seemed unwilling to do this. We then contacted the Oregon DEQ, who is investigating in relation to potential TMDL violations under the Clean Water Act. The DEQ has been in contact with the Oregon Department of Agriculture who is also investigating. 
We were told recently that ODA is close to a finding in this case. We can only hope that their "action" is more than a slap on the wrist and a small fine.
When people hack away the riparian zone along the Willamette, it is simply the wrong thing to do. In our view it is also illegal. We will keep you posted once this issue is resolved. -Travis Williams
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Paddle Oregon 2013: Save the Date!
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 | | A festive figurehead on PO 2012, by Bart Rierson |
You have all been very patient, and now we are finally ready to share the dates for the premier paddling adventure on the Willamette River, our 13th annual Paddle Oregon!
Make sure you're free Monday, August 12th - Friday, August 16th 2013
We'll let you know when photos and further details are available. Registration will open this March.
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Polluting Paradise: Monday, 1/14
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The Oregon Encyclopedia (OE) continues its monthly series of History Nights at McMenamins Mission Theater in partnership with the Northwest Examiner. At each History Night, The OE looks back at the people and events that have shaped our communities.
Fifty years ago, Portland's KGW-TV aired a gripping documentary--Pollution in Paradise--that succinctly summarized the condition of Oregon's air and water that had become degraded as a result of more than a century of intensive resource extraction, industrialization, and urbanization. Tom McCall produced and narrated the hour-long color film which helped convince Oregon citizens and legislators that much more
could be done to balance environmental and economic considerations to help clean up the Willamette River.
Though an important milestone in the evolving narrative of Oregonians' relationship to their natural surroundings, McCall's 1962 documentary came after nearly forty years of sustained efforts to abate Willamette River pollution.
This presentation will start with Pollution in Paradise before identifying the key events preceding the film and giving voice to some of the many people who made important contributions to cleaning-up the Willamette.
The OE is a partnership between Portland State University, Willamette University, the Oregon Council of Teachers of English, and the Oregon Historical Society.
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