Hello Northwest Steelheaders!

Well it seems very apparent that summer is behind us and rainy weather is approaching for many of our chapters in Oregon except for possibly east of the Cascades where our newest Northwest Steelheader chapter seemingly enjoys the sun and blue skies for 300 days a year. 
In spite of these meteorological changes for most of our members, the Association continues to move forward on a number of fronts to pursue its mission including some of the initiatives below:

Activation of New Website - Many of you are probably aware by now of the recent activation of our newly enhanced website (http://www.nwsteelheaders.org/).  It provides up-to-date information on Association News, upcoming events, an online means to renew your annual membership or for new members to sign up for one, and support advertisers who have been generous to the Association over years.  There is also a tab on Chapter News where one can find the latest information on each of the Association's twelve chapters.  The communication person for each chapter are encouraged to send me or Business Manager Sharon Schaub pictures of recent chapter fishing trips, information on upcoming events (clinics, picnics, banquets, meeting speakers, etc.) for quick posting on your respective chapter link.  Finally, don't forget to click the Become A Sponsor tab to learn how you might advertise your business on the new website.  Thank you to all of you who sent emails to the office expressing their delight over the robustness of our new site.

Upcoming Quarterly Meeting of the Association Board of Directors - The day of  November 7 will see Association Board Officers, Functional Directors, Regional Directors and Chapter Presidents from various parts of Oregon flock to the Fraternal Order of Eagles building in east Eugene (as known as Eagles on the Green, 1375 Irving Road) for an all day meeting to discuss a bevy of subjects including but not limited to the proposed revisions to the Association By Laws and reviewing the Fiscal Year 2009/2010 budget.  Unlike the monthly Executive Committee meetings which will be limited to only the four Board officers and three Regional Directors if the By Laws are approved, the broader list of invitees on the Board of Directors only meet once every quarter.  The Emerald Empire Chapter based in Eugene will host this quarter's meeting whereas the Newberg Chapter will host the winter quarterly meeting and the North Coast Chapter next spring.  All Association members are invited to attend each meeting.  Lunch will be available at the November meeting on a no host basis.

State Legislative Update - Association Board Government Affairs Director, Norm Ritchie recently submitted the following report on his activities during the off session at our state's capitol:

"The first legislative interim hearing that included our River Rights priority took place yesterday (September 30) with River Rights Director Art Israelson, Legislative Advocate Bob Oleson, and myself in attendance.  Bob commented  “I received some good feedback on your testimony. (The rest of the good news for me is that a couple people were somewhat miffed that we were the only conservation or public interest group that was allowed to testify.)”  It was clear to me that the other groups we work with that were at the capital yesterday are looking to the Steelheaders for leadership on this issue and will be ready to sign on to a support letter for the bill we hope to help draft (reworking SB 844 from last session).
 
Testimony went well Department of State Lands (DSL) Director Louise Solliday presented a history of the river rights and navigability study issue and then indicated the department support the effort to pass legislation in 2010.  Senator Betsy Johnson who opposes river rights introduced Leslie Pitman who talked about the Trask River property owners attempt for “local control”. (Nothing was said in opposition to the bill itself.)  Senator Bates testified that the “Montana Bill”  (which the Steelheaders have advocated for in past years) has worked very well and he intends to work the legislation in that direction.  Secretary of State Kate Brown voiced strong support for the bill to move forward during the 2010 session.  Past State Treasurer Randal Edwards testified that he opposed the Sandy River navigability declaration because he felt navigability is not the right solution.  He is in strong favor of the solution provided by this bill. 
 
Then I went up to testify with Art at my side.  We thanked the committee for the opportunity and indicated that navigability was not our first choice but was the only option open to us.  Steelheaders look forward to the opportunity to help craft the bill’s improvements.  We presented the document about the bill we had handed out during the last session.  We were told to identify our representative on the work group.  Art and I agreed that Bob would be the best person to be our point representative in the work group. 
 
In the mean time, Bob is back at the capital for us. He said “If I pick up any news at any of today's legislative committee meetings that deal with such things as natural resources and budget. Hope we can have our first GR meeting or conference call in October--it would be good to prioritize and update ourselves on the numerous public policy issues that are in play this season.”
 
Norm has asked that Chapter Presidents consider tasking someone from their respective chapters to be a point of contact for Norm to contact on government affairs issues and input.  Once you have assigned a person, please email Norm Ritchie at norm.ritchie@comcast.net with their contact information.

Federal Legislative Update

NOAA Environmental Education Bill - See home page on our website for information on our support of this Federal legislation. (http://www.nwsteelheaders.org/).

Clean Water Restoration Act - See home page on our website for information on our sign on of a letter to Congressman DeFazio. (http://www.steelheaders.org/)

H.R. 3534 Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)-  The Northwest Steelheaders recently joined with several dozen environmental groups from across the country in supporting this legislation which would provide full and dedicated funding to the LWCF.  Used as America’s most important tool for acquiring lands within our national parks, forests, refuges, BLM and other federal lands and for supporting acquisition, expansion and development of state and local parks, LWCF funding has helped acquire and protect some of our nation’s most cherished and iconic public landscapes. 

The LWCF state assistance grants helps states and local communities protect parks, trails, recreation fields, park facilities along with conserving forests, watersheds, and wetlands has other significant social and economic benefits, among them ensuring clean, adequate, and affordable drinking water supplies for our communities.  In addition, it is becoming increasingly clear that conserving our forests, which currently store upwards of half the carbon emitted each year, is critical in the fight against climate change. Strategic land conservation also provides an important tool to manage wildfires and reduce the costs of fire fighting surrounding our communities.  And, whether it is a visit to a local playground or an outing to a national park, getting outdoors connects families, promotes a healthy lifestyle, and builds community.  Increasingly, it is recognized that a healthy environment and abundant recreational opportunity not only promote human health and quality of life, but also are good for the economy. The Outdoor Industry Association reports that active outdoor recreation activities generate $730 billion in revenues annually to our nation’s economy and support 6.5 million (1 in 20) jobs. Further, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that over 87.5 million people engage in wildlife-related recreation each year and that hunting, fishing and wildlife-watching combined generates over $122 billion annually to the U.S. economy. 

Membership Drive Incentive Awards Campaign - With only three weeks remaining before the next drawing at the November quarterly Board meeting in Eugene, Association Board Membership Director Ted Fountain would like all members to know that the 2009/2010 Membership Drive Incentive Program is still in effect.  Valuable prizes will be awarded to members who help the Association achieve the goal of increasing our membership by 50 percent via the recruiting of 750 new members by February 2010.  Incentive prizes that will be awarded include guided fishing trips, art prints, rods, reels, tackle and other fishing gear generously donated to help our organization grow. Awards yet to be drawn include 3 Clearwater River guided fishing trips complete with one night of accommodations, 2 Lamiglas rods, 1 Shimano rod & reel, 3 ANWS art prints, Spools of Eagle Claw Lazer Line, Spools of TUF Line XP,  Cabela’s Mini Multi Tools, Columbia River Knife and Tool Knifes, Pro-Cure super gels and baitfish oils, G.Loomis hats, NW Steelheader Hats, and a Bi-Mart gift certificate.
 
The key rules of the Membership Drive are as follows:
 
-Awards will be awarded to those who have recruited new members during the drive and have their name or ticket drawn in random quarterly drawings.
-Write your name on the back of the membership application or provide a list of who you have recruited so you will receive credit well prior of the drawings.
- Each new membership received at the Association office during each quarter will be good for one chance at the awards for the recruiting member.
-Additional ways to gain chances to win rewards: Recruit 10 new members, and receive an additional 10 chances. Recruit a new Business or Life Membership and receive 10 chances to win. Top recruiters will also be recognized for their efforts. 
Send in your new membership recruit information to the Association office today!

New Tillamook Boat Ramp User Fees - The Tillamook County Park properties, which includes most of the county’s boat ramps now have a user fee.  Essentially, the $3 fee that has existed at Memaloose Point is being expanded to all other park facilities. 
 
Look for the fee box from now on when launching in the Tillamook, Nehalem, or Nestucca basins.  The fee is dedicated to keeping the places maintained and clean, including garbage service and bathroom facilities, so we should be getting our money’s worth.  It is also more convenient now with the $30 annual pass for those who expect to use the combined facilities more than 10 times in a year.  Please note that this does not include 5th Street Ramp or other ramps not maintained by Tillamook County Parks.  Those other locations have their own user fees (including the Port of Garibaldi boat basin boat ramp).
 
Please see the following web site for more details.
http://www.co.tillamook.or.us/gov/Parks/BoatLaunches.htm

Upcoming Events

Any Day Now - Trask River Hatchery Volunteer Project  - As all of you are aware of from the last action alert I sent out on this subject, the project kicks off once the rains begin to fall.  It hasn't happened yet but we're expecting a special call to the Association office from the North Coast Chapter in Tillamook very shortly.  Oncee this is made, calls will be made to those of you who have previously voluteered and another Action Alert email blast will be sent to all Northwest Steelheaders with email addresses to consider lending a hand to assist in an unprecedented project at the Trask Hatchery.  Given the forecast for rain this week, the call for volunteers could take place very shortly.

As you know, the volunteer project entails volunteers helping process Coho at the Trask River hatchery.  These are fish returning to the hatchery shortly after the first serious rain in the fall.  The fish are processed for the eggs to start the hatchery activity while the carcass is being sent on to the Oregon food bank and other needy organizations.  Timing is obviously critical to have fish in good condition.  Last year, the chapter helped process 2000 plus fish - it was a major event.  The ODFW hatchery only has 3 folks on staff so the 20 plus volunteers were really active.  Dark fish are placed back in the rivers for natural processing.
 
This year with the huge returns of Coho, the hatchery anticipates 12,000 fish returning in a few days after the the initial major fall rain storm.  This will be overwhelming and the hatcheries need our support.  Stand by to hear from us very shortly!

October 24 - Tillamook Fish Along sponsored by the Sandy River Chapter - Overnight clinic and fishing event based at the Tillamook Fairgrounds.  Dinner and overnight dorm stay costs $35.  For more information, contact Norm Ritchie at (503) 807-7729 or email at norm.ritchie@comcast.net.

Closing

Please contact me directly at pcathcart@anws.org with your concerns, views, and/or suggestions. 

Thank you for your continuing support of the Association to protect and enhance fisheries and their habitats for today and the future.

Warmest regards,

Paul

"The more we exploit nature, the more our options are reduced until we have only one:  the fight for survival."

Morris K. Udall, former Congressman and Secretary of the Interior

Paul J. Cathcart
Executive Director
Association of Northwest Steelheaders
Protecting fish.  Enhancing lives.