Washington State Court of Appeals Hearing March 30th!

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River People… If you care about keeping the White Salmon free and beautiful clean and cold, we  need you!!  The Washington State Court of Appeals has set the hearing date for the Husum/BZ comprehensive plan for: Monday, March 30, 2015, 10AM   (arrive by 9:30AM) HUDSON’S BAY HIGH SCHOOL, 1601 E McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver, Wa For those not familiar with the issue, in a nutshell it is: Friends of the White Salmon River and the Friends of the Columbia Gorge challenged in court, Klickitat County’s proposed comprehensive plan for the Husum/BZ area.  The plan would allow rezone of over 1,000 acres of land in the White Salmon River Valley from forest and farm to residential zoning with 1 and 2 acre minimum lot sizes.  We contended the County violated state law in a variety of ways, and we won that argument in Superior Court.  The County then appealed, so now we are at the Court of Appeals. For a short history of the appeal and a map....
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Natural History Rafting Trip for FWSR members and guests!

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Join us on October 5th for a slow-paced trip through the old lake bed and dam site to the Columbia.   With luck, we'll see salmon and steelhead swimming in some shallow portions of the river, and spawning beds (redds) for the Fall Chinook.  Knowledgeable guides from Zoller's will fill us in on the natural history. "It's like having our very own science project in our front yard," said Mark Zoller, 29 year White Salmon River guide.  "We have such a special opportunity to watch nature re-claim and heal itself over the next several years.  I'm amazed, as is everyone at how quickly the river hastaken control and is proceeding to repair 100 years of blockage." We will experience breath-taking scenery, some fun rapids (Class III), float past the site of Condit Dam, and pass through the Narrows. There is an approximately 200-yard portage around one impassable 'keeper' pool.  If you are concerned about how strenuous this portage is, please contact Zollers. To reserve your seat, call Zoller's...
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White Salmon Riverfest & Symposium is coming up!

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In addition to warm weather, summer also brings the White Salmon Riverfest & Symposium to our community each year.  Scheduled this summer for Wednesday July 10th, Husum will be bustling with activities with something for everyone all day long. The event kicks off with the incredibly popular annual community float. This affordable, $20 raft trip is designed for the local community to enjoy the river together.  If you have not had that opportunity before, this fun event is a great way to see why the New York Times mentioned this river as one of 4 “must do’s” in the country for 2013. Reservations for the rafting trip can be made by phone (800.306.1673 / 509.493.8989) or online at www.wetplanetwhitewater.com .  Please note, the trip is intended for folks who live in the area, in the White Salmon valley or the extended Gorge communities.  “We care about the White Salmon River, and appreciate being able to take visitors and neighbors rafting and kayaking...
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Press Release: White Salmon – The Little River That Could

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White Salmon: The Little River That Could First a Dam Was Removed, and Now Residential Sprawl is Thwarted; Famous River Shows What’s Possible for Rivers Here, and Everywhere Washington Superior Court Rules That Klickitat County Violated Constitutional Law,  Property Rights Protections, and State Environmental Laws Husum and BZ Corner Washington, June 11, 2013 – First the Condit Dam on the famous White Salmon River was removed in 2012, and now, less than one year later, the river, citizens and fish scored another big victory: blocking unchecked sprawl and hundreds of river- and stream- side homes that could have imperiled returning salmon and their key habitat. By enforcing state constitutional laws and state environmental laws, citizens of the region are showing what’s possible for rivers here, and everywhere. Their work is ushering a new era of river restoration and protection– one where a comprehensive approach to watershed management is welcoming back native fish while also protecting local jobs for the long-term. Friends of the White Salmon River and Friends of the Columbia...
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Friends Annual Meeting and Bill Sharp Presentation April 9th, 6:00pm at the White Salmon Library

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Join us for our annual membership meeting on April 9th. Friends will be giving a short update on the state of the organization followed by a presentation from Bill Sharp on the status of fish recovery on the White Salmon River. As an extra incentive, we will also have homemade pie by Patty Gray for refreshment! We will be holding a short Board meeting at 5:45, then commence with presentations around 6:00. Pat Arnold will give a brief update on the organization and then Bill Sharp from Yakama Nation Fisheries will provide an update on salmon and steelhead recovery and habitat restoration efforts. Stay tuned for more details in next month's newsletter. If you are interested in getting involved with Friends of the White Salmon River, this will be a great chance to meet our board and learn about volunteer opportunities!...
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Get to Know FWSR and Hear Updates on Salmon Recovery from the Yakama Nation – 6:30pm, Wed. Nov. 14th at the White Salmon Public Library

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Get to Know FWSR and Hear Updates on Salmon Recovery from the Yakama Nation - 6:30pm, Wed. Nov. 14th at the White Salmon Public Library   You are invited to get to know FWSR and hear an update on salmon and steelhead recovery on the White Salmon River. Join us to learn more  about the White Salmon River, FWSR's work, and salmon recovery efforts. Bill Sharp, Fisheries Biologist for the Yakama Nation Fisheries will be giving a presentation on salmon and steelhead recovery efforts. Bill will provide an update on salmon and steelhead returns and the plans for restoring fish populations moving forward. Join us for a fun and informative presentation. Friends of the White Salmon River's Board of Directors will also be on hand to discuss the organization's plans, projects, and activities. We will provide an update on ongoing litigation to protect the watershed, efforts to support local residents, and plans for supporting salmon recovery. We look forward to meeting you and building...
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Condit Access Restored to White Salmon River!

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Access has been restored to White Salmon River after PacifiCorp’s safe, successful Condit Dam removal Whitewater experts stress safety; remind river users to avoid sensitive plant areas, respect local cabin owners WHITE SALMON, Wash. – A year after a dynamite blast punched a hole in the Condit Dam, the last remnants of the structure are gone and access restrictions on the White Salmon River are now lifted downstream of Northwestern Park. Caution is still advised as the rapids on the lower river are significant. “This has been a long journey for PacifiCorp and the partners in the settlement agreement that led to the Condit Dam removal,” said Todd Olson, program manager for PacifiCorp. “Work still remains in restoring area vegetation and demobilizing equipment from the work area, but this has been a very successful project. No one from the public has been hurt, and there have been no lost-time injuries among our contractors during more than 64,000 hours worked on the project. We want to especially thank the local community for...
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White Salmon River Homecoming Celebration was a success!

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September 29th Homecoming Celebration went off without a hitch! A huge Thank You to all those who helped make the event such a success. Were you unable to attend the festivities? Pat Arnold, President of Friends of the White Salmon delivered these remarks: "We’ll start with a big thank you to all of you for being here, to River Drifters for saving our bacon at the last minute, to Jaco Klinkenberg, Margaret Neuman, Jeanette Burkhardt, and Susan Hollingsworth for their awe-inspiring competence, intelligence and good humor. This event had to happen, but it took these amazing women and the organizations and people that support them to make it happen. I also want to offer a shout-out to Todd Olson and Russ Howison of PacifiCorp who have worked hard and effectively on the dam removal process. Todd in particular has been great to watch as he threaded his way through or around or over numerous barriers in the road, with unflappable good humor and straight talk. Don’t be strangers, guys. There are...
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