FUNDRAISING FOR FISH RESEARCH

 

Condit Dam removal in 2011 was historic, opening a cold-water river just one major dam from the ocean. Pre-dam stocks of Steelhead (rainbow trout if they don’t go to the ocean) were trapped behind the dam. Are they now returning to anadromy? Are other stocks of Steelhead, Chinook salmon, and Coho salmon establishing and increasing natural spawning populations in the White Salmon River?

The answers appear to be “yes,” but that’s about all we know because there is insufficient money for research and monitoring.

Dr. Pat Connolly, now retired from USGS and a member of the FWSR Board of Directors, was heavily involved in pre-dam removal research. He and his collaborators wrote a plan for post-removal research, and this research has still not been funded! Dr. Connolly estimates that about 10% of the needed research is being done. Ten percent. Think about that.

There is a clock ticking on research on wild salmon and steelhead. The countdown is to the start-up of commercial tribal fishing, which may bring the introduction of hatchery stocks. Can the wild fish produce sufficient harvest to forestall a move to hatchery fish which compete with wild stock? We need answers, and answers require multi-year research.

Existing research funds are limited and are committed to worthy projects elsewhere. The normal sources for funding are tapped out.

Seven spawning seasons have now passed since dam removal. Climate change is upon us. The situation is urgent.

There is a research plan. There are researchers available. There are funding mechanisms through the Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group. We can gear up quickly. All we need is money.

Clark Skamania Flyfishers, bless them, are funding one juvenile salmon and steelhead annual count in the mainstem of the river, below Husum. The Yakama Nation are doing some monitoring of steelhead spawning in Rattlesnake Creek. Much more is needed.

How much money is needed? Optimal funding would be $300,000 for the first year of research, including equipment purchase, and about $175,000 per year for five additional years. Any amount of money raised will be used for fish research. Even small amounts can be useful as matching funds for other grants, or in other ways.

Maybe it’s silly for a volunteer organization with an annual budget under $10,000 to try to raise this money. However, it is our mission, and so we must put our hearts into this.

Each person’s efforts matter significantly, immensely, tremendously to the restoration and protection of the White Salmon River. Join us in this effort. Together we can make history.

We invite you to stay up to date with alerts and news.

News Categories

Follow Us on Facebook

Friends of the White Salmon River
Friends of the White Salmon River7 months ago
We heard from the Wishpush working group about beavers and local efforts to restore them. They brought hard copies of this brochure, which I've now tracked down and can share with you all here. Go beavers! which I say with no reference to sports.
Friends of the White Salmon River
Friends of the White Salmon River7 months ago
The Mountain Lion Foundation is holding two informative cougar events here in Klickitat County. Thank you, MLF!

A presentation on Cougars of Klickitat County.
Friday, August 25 at 7:00 PM at the Mountain View Grange in White Salmon. RSVP's appreciated. https://mountainlion.dm.networkforgood.com/forms/rsvp-for-predator-proofing-in-klickitat-county

Saturday, August 26, a Carnivore-Safe Barn Retrofit, volunteers needed. Pre-registration is necessary. https://mountainlion.dm.networkforgood.com/forms/rsvp-for-predator-proofing-in-klickitat-county
Friends of the White Salmon River
Friends of the White Salmon River8 months ago
Congratulations to Elaine Harvey on her new position at the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. She will bring a wealth of wisdom to her new job, as she does as a FWSR board member.
Friends of the White Salmon River
Friends of the White Salmon River9 months ago
Only YOU! can stop this shoreline damage. FWSR can help, but we can't do it without you. Come to the Shoreline Master Program hearing tonight at 6:00 PM in Goldendale and say that you want the shorelines protected. New County Courthouse, you can find it.
Friends of the White Salmon River
Friends of the White Salmon River9 months ago
Thoughtful article in Columbia Insight about the Climate Change Conference.
Friends of the White Salmon River
Friends of the White Salmon River9 months ago
So, there's a proposal to develop a 30-space RV park on Spring Creek Road, not far from the junction with Hwy 141. Information available below. The comment deadline on the environmental review is today, but there likely will be a future hearing on the Conditional Use Permit and the RV Park permit.

Like Under Canvas, this application requires a Conditional Use Permit and an RV permit. Exactly the same process. They are both in the Resource Land District zoning, which is extremely permissive and covers most of the Husum/BZ area. It might be time to think about changing that.

Remember that Under Canvas may still be approved - the appeal process on the environmental review is at the State Appeals Court level. No decision yet, but Under Canvas has not withdrawn the application, so the process continues.

The County also just approved an event site just outside of BZ Corner - weddings, and such. Maximum of four events per month in the summer, fewer in the winter. Maximum of 100 people Approved without drinking water being available on site.

At some point, the County needs to start considering cumulative effects.

ARCHIVES