amazed

[sgs]

Is anyone else out there amazed when they hear of or meet other N.W. fisherpeople that spend any time on our rivers here that don't think that OUR forests have been abused and exploited? I find it hard to believe that someone could float the Nestucca or drive up the N. fork of the Nehalem and think that this is responsible forestry that is truly benefitting our state and country in the long run. There is a common theme in extractive industries. Big industry comes in and sets up shop. Naturally the working class initially support them because they "support the schools", the roads etc.. Industry makes believe that they truly care about the people and are there for the long run. They take what they want and then they leave with noone really benefitting in the end except the stock holders and those at the top, leaving their wastes and troubles behind for the next generations to deal with.
There will always be forestry in the N.W. and there should be, to a lesser extent, but what has been done out here is a crime that continues on today.

[PeterMac]

You wrote -

"Is anyone else out there amazed when they hear of or meet other N.W. fisherpeople that spend any time on our rivers here that don't think that OUR forests have been abused and exploited?"

SGS - You must be referring to state land down there?? Otherwise, it is not "OUR" forest, and you were a visitor. I am also curious about specifics with regard to the North Fork of the Nehalem, if you don't mind.

Thanks
PeterMac

[This message has been edited by PeterMac (edited 12-18-2000).]

Sometimes people do something crazy like take ownership of the world around them in a way that goes far beyond what any sort of ownership documents might show. As much as many of these large stretches of land are somehow owned by forestry products companies, it is sometimes forgotten the value of this land to the planet as a whole.

We are reminded of this value when someone decides to tear down the lovely few acres of trees that you grew up walking through in favor of $250,000 homes on small plotlets of ground. We are also reminded when the animals that once inhabited that grove of trees start to rummage through our garbage or help us with housecat population control.

Talk to those folks who were here before the white man came along. How much did they sell land for? To them it was free, because no one "owned" it. And they treated it accordingly.

Guess there are two types of ownership. The bad kind which generally means that a person feels like they can do whatever they want to the item because they "OWN" it, and the good kind that comes with taking responsibility for the well-being of something.

I'm willing to bet that sgs was referring to the latter.

[sgs]

There is alot of private land out there. The N. fork of the Nehalem "forestry" that I have noticed lately is a fairly recent cut that goes practically to the water down a steep hill. It is near one of the three rapids where you can pull over on the road and walk down and fish. The other spot is some of the cuts you see if you walk up from the closed gate above the hatchery. It just seems that what we always hear from the timber ind. is that they are becoming "fish friendly." But that would seem like a good test river eh?

[PeterMac]

SGS - FYI - The owner of the property above the locked gate received many awards for his forest stewardship practicies. Seems he is thought of as somewhat of a trailblazer with regard to environmentally friendly logging practices. Not only that, he is taking proper steps to insure that the legacy will continue in the future when the property changes hands.

Sounds like you just don't like the way a working tree farm looks when it is being managed (ie logged and relplanted).

Your right, it is a great test river, as are the small tributaries that feed it. Gods Vally Creek has had quite allot of stream enhancement projects in the past few years. They include structure placement, wet land protection, back eddie construction work to allow small fish a place to hide when the water is at flood, and many more. In addition, the riparian requirements on all streams up there have been very conservatively upheld.

Check it out and look a little closer next time???

PeterMac

[sgs]

Hey Pete, That does surprise. Makes me happy I guess. You know quite a bit about it though it seems. A few of the things that disapointed me up there was on the far side of the river as you are walking up to the first bridge they have cut right down to the water. Then the road that cuts straight up the hill right above the bridge that just erodes straight into the river. The other spot is up around the abandoned house where they have marked a river crossing for logging. Maybe that is petty compared with the progressive things that are going on up there that I wouldn't neccessarily notice. I sure enjoy fishing up there. I am thankful that they let us up there considering the mess of bait containers and the such that are always left at the hole under the bridge.

[PeterMac]

SGS-

Thanks for posting again, I was hoping you would !

It is great up there.

1. I wasn't aware of the water problem on the road after the bridge. I'll check it out. Thanks.

2. As far as the recent cut you referred to, I am aware of state studies that were performed as to stability and recommended riparian, and that all suggestions were followed. It does look a bit ominous looking up that hill, I know. Please note that it was replanted the same year it was cut. Couple years it will be all green again, just like the slope next to it .

3. The crossing was only used one summer, at extreme lows so that a few log decks could be removed before they rotted. There was quite a permit process involved to be able to do that, including surveys by state hydrologists, etc. Again, everything followed to a "T". Note that the riverbed in that area is mostly very hard sandstone, so there was minimal, if any, disruption of the stream bed, and it is not to be used anymore.

About the litter? My wife and kids removed 10 full garbage bags one summer day last year just on the road between the two gates !! Although, that is not as bad as before the gate was locked...

I am glad you enjoy it up there, it is one of my favorite places too. Enjoy!

PeterMac