Travelin' Music

Hello Friends,

Did you know that Demeter Design was recently named by a leading European think tank as the Number One Environmental Consultant in the Pacific Northwest to work for?  The Night Owl is not surprised; in addition to our innovative statistical analysis, where else could I scratch out my living by driving through the woods listening to Guns'N'Roses and the Offspring?  But not all traveling music is created equal.  Case in point: after a challenging 72-hour frenzy of data collection, Coho Pete and I had completed our assigned tasks.  Giddy with visions of the comforts of home, my esteemed colleague called on me as navigator and iPod DJ to "rock him out" for the drive home.  To me, that is a request for Credence Clearwater Revival, and I dialed up a classic album.  But we were not two dozen bars into "Green River" when the check engine light came on, and before we knew it the water pump was blown and steam was spraying from the radiator.  To make a long story short Coho Pete is now scrambling to get in under the cash for clunkers deadline.  The experience brought to mind another "Dude" who had car trouble while listening to CCR.  Granted, the Big Lebowski was doing things when he crashed his rig that the Night Owl would never do while on the job.  But the coincidence with the music still makes me wonder.  So what are your thoughts?  What are the best driving albums for the savvy environmental steward?  And is there music that should be avoided due to less-than-positive associations.  The Night Owl needs to know.  Email me at tom.botanist@gmail.com.  Until next time, keep hooting.

Well friends the Knight Owl and Coho Pete are at the tail end of another important fact-finding mission. This one is dragging on a little bit though. Coho Pete's rig blew a water pump on Siuslaw River Road and the two travellers had to call for assistance. Big ups to Don of Taylor's Towing in Cottage Grove for saving our rears. We will be back to you with our collected thoughts shortly, but for now the Knight Owl just says keep hooting.

All Fish Sampled in US Streams Contained Mercury

The title sums it up. Is it possible that the mercury is another cause in the decline of salmon populations? I wonder how it impacts egg survival rates...

Extraterrestrial LIFE!!! (Building blocks...)

NASA has discovered that the glycine found in comet debris originated in the comet and not on Earth. The sample contains a higher proportion of C13 isotope indicating that it is in fact extraterrestrial!! This is really cool. :)

Hello friends, this is the Night Owl writing to report that Coho Pete and myself have just returned from another fact-finding mission to the deindustrialized timberlands of the South Coast.  We met some very nice people down there, including the robust scion of a clan with a title deed to five miles of riverfront property signed by the hand of President U.S. Grant.  He told us we could catch a mess of fish with a turkey tail and a garden gasket, but to the trained eye of Coho Pete the stream looked beat down and fished out.  Afterwards my colleague asked me this:

"What incentive does a rancher have to care for his riparian community, given the day to day needs of a dairy farm?"  In other words is it unrealistic to expect someone working the land to focus his attention on maintaining a diverse ecological community?  And if not how can we as restorationists advocate to make it a higher priority?  Email your thoughts to tom.botanist@gmail.com and see them up in lights on this very blog.

Also the Night Owl wants to send a special shout out to Victoria at the Radio Shack in Coos Bay.  When our technology was crashing and threatened our mission, your outstanding customer service allowed us to carry on.  Cheers.

Until next time friends, keep hooting.

-Tom Ward a.k.a. the Night Owl

Two Johnson Creek clean-up opportunities in August.

Two Johnson Creek clean-up opportunities in August.

1.)

When - Saturday, August 15 10:00am - 1:00pm

Where - Johnson Creek at SE 92nd Ave & Flavel St.

Help us clean up Johnson Creek before the new MAX Green Line opening! Our focus will be on removing trash and debris from the area in and around the creek beginning at I-205 moving downstream to just past 92nd Ave. Invasive species will also be pulled from the streambanks to give the native vegetation more room to grow in. This site is not appropriate for young children as there are some steep slopes and busy roads. Please bring gloves if you have them, refillable water bottles, hats and sunglasses if desired, and wear sturdy closed-toed shoes and clothes that can get dirty (long pants and sleeved shirts preferred). Also, if you feel comfortable wading in the creek, bring at least knee-high boots and hip-or-chest waders if you have them. Contact Melanie McCandless for more information - melanie.mccandless@gmail.com

2.)

When – Saturday August 29^th

Where – Overland Park Neighborhood – Meet at Mill Park (Corner of Overland & Linwood)

See attached flyer for more information.

------------------------------------------

Greg Ciannella

Watershed Stewardship Coordinator

Johnson Creek Watershed Council

PH: 503.652.7477

FX: 503.652.7188

www.jcwc.org

National Estuary Program Habitat Goals

The EPA's Strategic Plan states that "By 2011, protect or restore an additional 250,000 acres of habitat within the study areas for the 28 estuaries that are part of the National Estuary Program."

That would be great. Within Oregon, the Tillamook Estuaries Partnership is working towards restoring low-lying freshwater and estuarine wetlands.

Endangered Frog Found Abundant in One California Watershed

This is what the frog looks like; historic surveys indicated the Yellow Legged Frog was once abundant in mountain wetlands and streams at elevations higher than 1200' but the frogs all but disappeared after 1968.

Jupiter Impact Image Hubble Telescope

The unbelievably large hole in Jupiter is the size of the Pacific Ocean. Wow, glad that didn't hit Earth. Here is the picture.

Summer Fun

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Noon – 4:00 pm

Frenchman’s Bar Park, Vancouver, WA

☼ Food ● Drinks ●Races in the Big Canoes ● Games ● Prizes ☼

Location

Frenchman’s Bar Park. 9612 NW Lower River Park Road. Vancouver. WA

Follow the directional signs with the Estuary Partnership logo to the park.

Directions

Link to park web site at www.co.clark.wa.us/parks-trails/frenchmans.html

Parking

Inform the parking attendant you are a guest of the Estuary Partnership Celebration.

RSVP

Please let us know by Friday, July 31, 2009 if you plan to join us. Reply to events@lcrep.org or call

Laura O’Keefe, 503-226-1565 x226. Check our website for more details coming soon at www.lcrep.org

Boat Trip!

Greetings Science Work Group Members,

Just a reminder about our Science Work Group big canoe trip coming up on July 28. We're still working out logistics and need to get an estimate on how many people will participate in the paddle. Please let us know if you plan to come on our paddle by emailing me at corbett@lcrep.org. Please RSVP by Wednesday, July 23.

Keep in mind that the paddle is important for networking with colleagues working in the lower Columbia River, for more hands-on experience on the water/resource we’re all working to protect and for expanding your knowledge of natural history from other Science Work Group members. It is a great way to learn what others are working on and possible collaboration opportunities. And some times it is just important to insert a day in the field to keep oneself happy and motivated.

The basic agenda for the paddle is as follows:

9:00 - Meet at the Estuary Partnership office for a van pool to Ridgefield, WA (meeting at the boat ramp will also be an option)

9:45 - Arrive at Ridgefield Boat Ramp

10:00 - Start the paddle

11:30 – Stop for Picnic (Estuary Partnership provided box lunch)

12:30 -1:00 Arrive back at Ridgefield Boat Ramp

1:15 - Leave Ridgefield Boat Ramp

1:45 - Arrive back at the Estuary Partnership office.

We'll follow up with additional details next week. We will be providing both lunch and transportation to and from the boat ramp.

Should be a great trip! Hope many of you can participate. To see photos of the Big Canoes - check out the Estuary Partnership's On-River Experience Page: http://www.lcrep.org/ed_on_river.htm

Please let us know if we can answer any questions!

Catherine Corbett

Technical Programs Manager

Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership

811 SW Naito Parkway, Suite 410

Portland, OR 97204

(503) 226-1565 ext 240

Gateway

Greetings Gateway PAC Members,

I’m looking forward to seeing you all at our meeting on Wednesday, July 15 from 6:30 – 8:00 PM in Classroom 1 of the East Portland Community Center (740 SE 106^th Avenue).

We have a packed agenda, including:

Leadership Elections: The PAC will elect its leaders for the 2008-09 year. Please note that we’ll need a quorum of members in order for the vote to be official.

New PAC Members: We have two new PAC members! Tom Mahoney will be representing the Gateway Area Business Association (don’t worry, we haven’t lost Fred, he has taken another seat on the PAC). Sarah Zahn will represent Human Solutions, Inc, replacing Dorene. Both Tom and Sarah will be in attendance to introduce themselves.

Economic Development Strategy: PDC staff Kate Deane and Geraldene Moyle will be presenting the City of Portland’s Economic Development Strategy. We’re allotting 45 minutes for a presentation and Q&A. This strategy represents a paradigm shift in how the City approaches economic development and job creation. You won’t want to miss this presentation!

Goodbye, Dorene!: Sadly for us (but maybe not for her!), this will be the last PAC meeting for Dorene Warner. She’ll be attending the PAC meeting to say goodbye.

As always, please let me know if you won’t be able to attend; otherwise, see you on the 15^th!

Justin

Justin Douglas, AICP
Senior Project Coordinator
Portland Development Commission
phone 503-823-4579 fax 503-865-3609
DouglasJ@pdc.us

Take a Train Trip on the Beach

ALL ABOARD! "Ride the Coastal Edge” To Learn About the Nehalem Bay Estuary, July 24, 2009
Does a train ride on the scenic water's edge sound like the perfect way to spend a summer evening? Make plans to board the train on July 24, 6 p.m. when the Lower Nehalem Community Trust and the North Coast Land Conservancy join together to offer this educational and fun excursion for the whole family. This railway trip from Garibaldi to Wheeler (with optional return trip) will carry passengers in open-air cars to experience the sights and sounds of the sweeping coastal edge lands.

Shelley Parker will be the guest interpreter on the trip as the train travels past such notable viewpoints as the Garibaldi Bar, Nedonna Beach, the Nehalem Spit, Fishers Point and the Nehalem Bay Estuary. Shelley is the Interpretive Park Ranger for Nehalem Bay State Park.

The fare, $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under, includes the train excursion, a box picnic dinner catered by Bread & Ocean in Manzanita and an opportunity to experience this scenic corridor from a new perspective. Seating is limited and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis and tickets are going fast! To reserve your ticket, call the LNCT office at 503-368-3203, Monday, Wednesday or Thursday, 8:00 a.m.. - 12:30 p.m. "Ride The Coastal Edge" is made possible, in part, with support from Tillamook Estuaries Partnership, Oregon State Parks and from a Friend of LNCT.

The North Coast Land Conservancy (NCLC) in Seaside and the Lower Nehalem Community Trust (LNCT) in Nehalem, are non-profit organizations that own and manage land for ecological and cultural values. These two organizations are offering this excursion as part of their ongoing education and outreach activities for the community. To learn more about the NCLC, visit NCLCTrust.org, and for LNCT, visit NehalemTrust.org. The event flyer is attached to this e-mail.
--
Lower Nehalem Community Trust
Email: lnct@nehalemtel.net
Phone: (503) 368-3203
PO Box 496, Manzanita, OR 97130

Updated job announcement - correction

Position Description: Restoration Projects Coordinator

Effective: June 2009

Salary Range: $37,800-$57,800

Status: Regular Full Time, Limited Duration 12-18 months

Supervisor: Technical Programs Manager

Location: Warren and St. Helens, Oregon

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Two years experience with designing, developing and managing on-the-ground habitat restoration projects focusing on Pacific salmon. A Bachelor's degree in a field related to hydrology, water quality, marine sciences, engineering, biology or habitat restoration is required. A Master's degree is preferred.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF Position

The Restoration Projects Coordinator is an employee of the Estuary Partnership who will work closely with staff at the Scappoose Bay Watershed Council and Lower Columbia River Watershed Council to identify, design and develop new habitat restoration projects and provide support on existing projects. In particular, this position is focused on current and historically tidally influenced habitats along the mainstem lower Columbia River and estuary that are important for Pacific salmon recovery. Work includes working with Watershed Council staff, agencies, other project sponsors and landowners to identify, design and develop habitat restoration projects; write project proposals; submit quarterly reports to funders and provide other support as needed. This position is part of a pilot project funded by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to support restoration project development by addressing staffing constraints of local Watershed Councils and other restoration entities in the Lower Columbia River region. The project may be expanded to aid the Columbia River Estuary Study Taskforce in developing restoration project proposals. Hence, this position requires strong leadership and interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; and the ability to adapt to an evolving program.

The position will be co-located at the Scappoose Bay Watershed Council in Warren, Oregon and the Columbia County Soil and Water Conservation Service in St. Helens, Oregon. Travel will be required throughout the tidally influenced portions of Columbia County, as well as regular trips to the Estuary Partnership’s office in Portland. The position is a limited duration position with funding through December 2010. The position may be extended.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with Scappoose Bay Watershed Council and Lower Columbia River Watershed Council staff (and at times Soil and Water Conservation District staff) to identify, design, and develop project proposals for new habitat restoration projects focusing on current and historically tidally influenced habitat important for Pacific salmonid recovery;
• Provide support to Council staff for managing existing projects, community outreach and building support with landowners for restoration projects;
• Coordinate with the contractors, engineers, and agency staff on designing and permitting projects;
• Develop and submit restoration project proposals to funding entities such as the Estuary Partnership and Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board;
• Coordinate weekly with the Estuary Partnership and develop reports as needed for funding entities;
• Position requires extensive field work and a valid Oregon driver’s license (or ability to acquire the license within three months)

RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS

Employees in this position have regular contact with staff throughout the Estuary Partnership and Watershed Council organizations; staff from agencies; the business community and the public. Employees in this position can deal with sensitive issues, and the issues involved must be handled with tact and diplomacy.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Employees in this position work with a high degree of independence under general direction of the Technical Programs Manager. Work is reviewed on a regular basis through informal conferences, and written assignments are reviewed upon completion for accuracy, timeliness, and conformance to applicable state and federal laws, and organization policies and procedures, and correct secretarial and office practices and procedures.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Not applicable at this time.

STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE

§ Perform work in a logical, orderly, and skillful manner.

§ Support and carry out the Estuary Partnership ethics of placing first the river and the citizens and working to celebrate others and their work.

§ Be adaptable to changes in workload.

§ Has strong written and verbal communication skills.

§ Maintain high level of professionalism.

§ Accept work assignments that could require additional training.

§ Provide exceptional customer service.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

· Skill working in a team environment with understanding of roles and responsibilities of team members.

· Strong interpersonal skills allowing the ability to work with many personalities while always showing respect for differing opinions and experiences.

· Skill informing and working with the public to instill the importance of habitat restoration and Pacific salmon recovery.

· General knowledge of the laws, procedures, principles, and regulations governing the water quality, endangered species, fish and wildlife protection and land use. Knowledge about Columbia Basin or Lower Columbia River and the National Estuary Program helpful.

· Skill communicating verbally and in writing with a variety of people or organizations to answer questions and explain information, policies, regulations, decisions, or actions.

· Skill writing and editing clear and concise reports, funding proposals, newsletters, and other related documents.

· Skill providing information, policy advice, and assistance to a supervisor.

Application

Applications must include a formal cover letter explaining your interest and qualifications; a detailed resume that includes dates, specific duties and responsibilities of previous employment; and three references.

Submit hard copy applications to: Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership, 811 SW Naito Parkway, Suite 410 Portland, OR 97204.

Submit electronic applications to lcrep@lcrep.org. Electronic applications must be submitted as one PDF document that includes the formal cover letter, detailed resume and three references as described above. The email subject line title should be “Restoration Projects Coordinator” and the PDF file name the same as the applicant’s.

Timeline

Applications must be received by 4:00 pm, Monday July 17, 2009.

The Estuary Partnership values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Posting at LCREP

Position Description: Restoration Projects Coordinator

Effective: June 2009

Salary Range: $37,800-$57,800

Status: Regular Full Time, Limited Duration 12-18 months

Supervisor: Technical Programs Manager

Location: Warren and St. Helens, Oregon

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Two years experience with designing, developing and managing on-the-ground habitat restoration projects focusing on Pacific salmon. A Bachelor's degree in a field related to hydrology, water quality, marine sciences, engineering, biology or habitat restoration is required. A Master's degree is preferred.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF Position

The Restoration Projects Coordinator is an employee of the Estuary Partnership who will work closely with staff at the Scappoose Bay Watershed Council and Lower Columbia River Watershed Council to identify, design and develop new habitat restoration projects and provide support on existing projects. In particular, this position is focused on current and historically tidally influenced habitats along the mainstem lower Columbia River and estuary that are important for Pacific salmon recovery. Work includes working with Watershed Council staff, agencies, other project sponsors and landowners to identify, design and develop habitat restoration projects; write project proposals; submit quarterly reports to funders and provide other support as needed. This position is part of a pilot project funded by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to support restoration project development by addressing staffing constraints of local Watershed Councils and other restoration entities in the Lower Columbia River region. The project may be expanded to aid the Columbia River Estuary Study Taskforce in developing restoration project proposals. Hence, this position requires strong leadership and interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; and the ability to adapt to an evolving program.

The position will be co-located at the Scappoose Bay Watershed Council in Warren, Oregon and the Columbia County Soil and Water Conservation Service in St. Helens, Oregon. Travel will be required throughout the tidally influenced portions of Columbia County, as well as regular trips to the Estuary Partnership’s office in Portland. The position is a limited duration position with funding through December 2010. The position may be extended.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with Scappoose Bay Watershed Council and Lower Columbia River Watershed Council staff (and at times Soil and Water Conservation District staff) to identify, design, and develop project proposals for new habitat restoration projects focusing on current and historically tidally influenced habitat important for Pacific salmonid recovery;
• Provide support to Council staff for managing existing projects, community outreach and building support with landowners for restoration projects;
• Coordinate with the contractors, engineers, and agency staff on designing and permitting projects;
• Develop and submit restoration project proposals to funding entities such as the Estuary Partnership and Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board;
• Coordinate weekly with the Estuary Partnership and develop reports as needed for funding entities;
• Position requires extensive field work and a valid Oregon driver’s license (or ability to acquire the license within three months)

RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS

Employees in this position have regular contact with staff throughout the Estuary Partnership and Watershed Council organizations; staff from agencies; the business community and the public. Employees in this position can deal with sensitive issues, and the issues involved must be handled with tact and diplomacy.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Employees in this position work with a high degree of independence under general direction of the Technical Programs Manager. Work is reviewed on a regular basis through informal conferences, and written assignments are reviewed upon completion for accuracy, timeliness, and conformance to applicable state and federal laws, and organization policies and procedures, and correct secretarial and office practices and procedures.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Not applicable at this time.

STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE

§ Perform work in a logical, orderly, and skillful manner.

§ Support and carry out the Estuary Partnership ethics of placing first the river and the citizens and working to celebrate others and their work.

§ Be adaptable to changes in workload.

§ Has strong written and verbal communication skills.

§ Maintain high level of professionalism.

§ Accept work assignments that could require additional training.

§ Provide exceptional customer service.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

· Skill working in a team environment with understanding of roles and responsibilities of team members.

· Strong interpersonal skills allowing the ability to work with many personalities while always showing respect for differing opinions and experiences.

· Skill informing and working with the public to instill the importance of habitat restoration and Pacific salmon recovery.

· General knowledge of the laws, procedures, principles, and regulations governing the water quality, endangered species, fish and wildlife protection and land use. Knowledge about Columbia Basin or Lower Columbia River and the National Estuary Program helpful.

· Skill communicating verbally and in writing with a variety of people or organizations to answer questions and explain information, policies, regulations, decisions, or actions.

· Skill writing and editing clear and concise reports, funding proposals, newsletters, and other related documents.

· Skill providing information, policy advice, and assistance to a supervisor.

Application

Applications must include a formal cover letter explaining your interest and qualifications; a detailed resume that includes dates, specific duties and responsibilities of previous employment; and three references.

Submit hard copy applications to: Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership, 811 SW Naito Parkway, Suite 410 Portland, OR 97204.

Submit electronic applications to lcerp@lcrep.org. Electronic applications must be submitted as one PDF document that includes the formal cover letter, detailed resume and three references as described above. The email subject line title should be “Restoration Projects Coordinator” and the PDF file name the same as the applicant’s.

Timeline

Applications must be received by 4:00 pm, Monday July 17, 2009.

The Estuary Partnership values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.