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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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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White Salmon River Homecoming Celebration September 29, 2012!

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The public is invited to the White Salmon River Homecoming, a community celebration of the river on September 29th. The event includes an opportunity to experience the river on a raft trip, share a traditional salmon bake meal prepared by Yakama tribal cooks and local gardeners, and hear updates on the removal of Condit Dam and subsequent restoration of the river. This celebration marks the return of the salmon and the beginning of the restoration process. After decades of debate, deliberations, and disagreements over the fate of Condit Dam, this event is hoped to be a small step for the community toward healing these divisions. In the morning, the celebration begins with low-cost river floats for community members sponsored by Wet Planet Rafting and the outfitters of the White Salmon River. The event continues in the afternoon when community members will the be offered a seat at the table during a community salmon meal, sponsored by Yakama Nation Fisheries at Northwestern...
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The White Salmon Opening Event & A Relic From Our Beginnings!

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Our monthly board meeting has come and gone and plans are under way for the official opening of the White Salmon River in September! As the August 31st Condit Dam removal date approaches, the Friends of the White Salmon are gearing up to celebrate the river running freely. More to come as plans solidify! Also wanted to share something from The Friends' beginnings: an original button from 1976! The buttons were given to new members when they made their donation and we're hoping to revive the tradition. We're working to re-create these buttons and have them available for our members. A big Thank You to Leslie for sharing the button with us! ...
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