Salem-News.com Fish And Wildlife articles Page 6

New Urbanist or Old Suburban: What`s Better?

April brings out the Earth Day in all of us. But what about the other 11 months? These new neighborhoods offer new, greener lifestyle options.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Dear EarthTalk: What makes those so-called "new urbanism" housing developments popping up around the U.S. more environmentally friendly than regular old suburban neighborhoods? - Rusty Spinoza, Galveston, TX

ET: The husband-and-wife team of town planners Andrés Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk are typically credited as the founders of new urbanism, a style of community design that embraces mixed use development in pedestrian-friendly and green space-rich neighborhoods—much like the old neighborhoods many baby-boomers remember before suburban sprawl made us all slaves to our cars.

Oregon, Washington and Idaho Cleared to Kill Sea Lions

NOAA has authorized the states to remove as many as 85 animals annually, but estimates that only about 30 animals will be removed each year.

(PORTLAND, Ore. ) - NOAA’s Fisheries Service is granting authorization requested by Washington, Oregon and Idaho to permanently remove a number of California sea lions that are eating imperiled salmon and steelhead congregating below Bonneville Dam before moving up the Columbia River to spawn.

The action allows these states to target only individual sea lions that continue to eat salmon after deterrence methods have proven unsuccessful.

Gray Wolf Found Dead in Union County, Oregon

Any gray wolf which shows up in Oregon is listed as an endangered species under both state and federal law.

(ELGIN, Ore. ) - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating the discovery of a dead gray wolf in Union County, Oregon. The animal had been shot, and was recovered on May 25th, from a forested area north of Elgin.

Testing has confirmed that the animal was a mature female wolf, genetically related to the wolf population in Idaho, and that it died from a gunshot wound.

Oregonians Invited to Fish for Free this Weekend

Gear, bait and basic angling instruction are provided at most events.

(SALEM, Ore. ) - Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife staff encourage Oregonians and visitors to fish, crab and clam without a license during the 19th annual Free Fishing Weekend June 9th and 10th.

More than 40 Free Fishing Events will be held at sites throughout the state.

Most are geared toward introductory angling opportunities for young people.

Western Snowy Plover Nesting Season Begins Along Southern Oregon Coast

Approximately 18 miles of beach in Oregon are affected by plover recovery efforts.

(FLORENCE, Ore.) - The nesting season for the western snowy plover begins on southern Oregon coast beaches Thursday.

During this time some beaches have access restrictions in place to help protect nests and birds with young.

After March 15th, ropes and posts will be used to protect snowy plover nests, eggs and chicks, and restrict access to dry sand portions of certain beaches.

Dry-sand protection efforts will be in effect for habitat sites at Sutton Beach, Siltcoos Estuary, Oregon Dunes Overlook, Tahkenitch Estuary, Tenmile Estuary (northern Coos County), the North Spit of Coos Bay; Bandon Beach State Natural Area and New River area beaches.

Oregon and California Ocean Enforcement Teams Bust Crab Boat Operators

All commercial fishing laws are Class A Misdemeanors punishable by a fine up to $6,250 and up to one year in jail.

(SALEM) - Following the implementation of Oregon's new commercial crab gear rules, fish and wildlife enforcement personnel along the west coast and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) have been working off the Oregon coast and found that violations of these new rules were occurring.

Numerous commercial crab pots were seized and violations noted that are leading to several investigations.

Fish and Wildlife Commission Limits Commercial Crab Pots

(Salem, Oregon) - The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission moved to establish limits on the number of Dungeness crab pots commercial crab boats may fish in the ocean during their Dungeness crab season.

The decision came after more than two years of meetings with the public and members of the crab industry. The pot-limit plan grew out of a crab summit last July, when crab fishermen met with the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission and ODFW to discuss issues important to the industry.

Cause of Fish Kill in Mid-Valley Creek Under Investigation

The DEQ and ODFW are asking for the public's help in gathering information about the possible release of toxic material into the creek.

(LEBANON) - The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife are investigating the source of a fish kill that occurred earlier this week in Burkhart Creek between Lebanon and Albany.

ODFW fish biologist Karen Hans says a fish count could not be completed due to lack of access to the creek, but she estimated the number to be between dozens and hundreds.

The dead fish included several species at all life stages.

January Proclaimed Oregon Dungeness Crab Month

(Salem, Oregon) - The consumer delicacy known as Oregon Dungeness crab is worth the wait. Despite a late start to this season's harvest, the $50 million fishery is poised to make up for lost time with a promotional blitz that includes an official proclamation. Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski is proclaiming January as Oregon Dungeness Crab Month, noting that the state is currently the world's number one producer of Dungeness crab.