NSIA News
Anna Brones
Co-founder of Under Solen Media, travel and environmental blogger
Posted: February 22, 2010 04:24 PM
Will Columbia-Snake River Salmon Be Saved?
Salmon. You put it on the bbq in the summer, you treat yourself to it at your local sushi joint in the winter, and if you're lucky enough you keep a stash of it on hand for Sunday morning bagels and cream cheese. But salmon is a whole lot more than food; it's an iconic species that is a key link in the chain between environment, recreation, jobs and the economy.
For the last 15 years, federal agencies have continued to put politics before science, circumventing the Endangered Species Act and pushing Columbia-Snake River salmon to the brink of extinction and hurting salmon communities across the Pacific Coast.
The plan in question is called a Biological Opinion (BiOp) and it was originally submitted to the court by the Bush Administration. Rather than toss it out, the Obama team made some additions, known as an Adaptive Management Implementation Plan. The State of Oregon, salmon advocates and the Nez Perce tribe of Idaho are suing the agencies, saying the plan doesn't do enough to protect endangered salmon from the harmful impact of dams in the region, and that removal of the four lower Snake River dams in Eastern Washington must be on the table to recover imperiled fish.
Independent scientists agree. Last week the Western Division of the American Fisheries Society (WDAFS) released a scientific review of the Obama administration's proposed additions to the federal salmon plan for the Columbia-Snake River Basin.
The society's assessment concludes that the addendum, issued by NOAA Fisheries last September and known as the Adaptive Management Implementation Plan (AMIP), is not aggressive, rigorous, or specific enough to help bolster imperiled runs of wild salmon and steelhead.
"With this review, the independent scientists of the American Fisheries Society have shed some much-needed light on a topic that has already generated quite a bit of heat," said Jim Martin, former chief of fisheries for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. "These experts looked at the AMIP and asked two all-important questions: does it do enough to help struggling salmon, and does it utilize the best science? Unfortunately, the answer to both questions appears to be no."
The American Fisheries Society is the world's largest and oldest organization of fisheries professionals; its 3,500-member Western Division covers the 13 Western states and British Columbia, including the entire Columbia Basin.
From the Public News Service:
Leanne Roulson, WDAFS president, says if fish numbers continue to decline, her group has determined the plan isn't aggressive enough to save them.
"We're all about preserving and conserving the fisheries resource, while the political aspects of it are not really relevant to the stances we take or the opinions we put out there."
Ed Bowles, chief of fisheries for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, agrees:
"The State of Oregon's concern is that, just including the Adaptive Management Implementation Plan into the BiOp does not even come close to fixing the fatal flaws of the BiOp."
Bowles says recent predictions of the biggest salmon runs in years are mostly hatchery fish, and the wild fish remain on the endangered list.
The Obama administration announced last week that it will, in fact, revise its plan for recovering Columbia River salmon, accepting U.S. District Judge James A. Redden's offer of a voluntary three-month remand, in which he specified that NOAA is obligated by the Endangered Species act to use the best available science.
From Judge Redden's letter:
I will not sign an order of voluntary remand that effectively relieves federal defendants of their obligation to use the best available science and consider all important aspects of the problem. This court will not dictate the scope or substance of federal defendants' remand, but federal defendants must comply with the [Endangered Species Act] in preparing any amended/supplemental biological opinion.
A coalition of conservation and fishing groups agrees. "The first order of business with the Endangered Species Act is to use the best science," said Nicole Cordan, policy and legal director for the Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition.
Between WDAFS's review and last week's court decision, the Obama Administration now has one last chance to hit the reset button on salmon; we hope they'll take this opportunity to truly fix their plan, and do so in a transparent, open way, using sound science that incorporates the work of WDAFS and other federal salmon biologists such as the experts at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
With true recovery of wild salmon and steelhead in question, fishing and river communities have been left to bear the brunt with unprecedented closures and restrictions from Southeast Alaska to Monterey Bay, California.
"We've said it before and we'll say it again: following the science is the only path to a successful, legal salmon plan, and it's also the best way to restore our struggling fishing communities," said Liz Hamilton, executive director of the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association.
A thoughtful, science-based plan will allow for the rebuilding of recreational and commercial fishing jobs, while also protecting other stakeholders throughout the Basin. It's science, but it's not rocket science; we can do this, provided we put salmon biology in the driver's seat where it belongs.
With yet another for the Obama administration to revamp its plan, the question is: will the revised version be enough to save these fish from extinction?
Follow Anna Brones on Twitter: www.twitter.com/annabrones
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anna-brones/will-columbia-snake-river_b_471508.html
Obama administration will review its Northwest salmon and dams plan
February 19, 2010, 2:23PM
The Associated Press
Steelhead and salmon make their way up the Snake River through the viewing window at Lower Granite Dam.
The federal government will spend three more months reconfiguring its plan for salmon and dams in the Columbia Basin in the hopes of pleasing a Portland judge.
Today’s announcement by the government is the latest turn in a long-running litigation over federal agencies’ strategy to run the Northwest’s system of power-producing dams without pushing imperiled fish closer to extinction.
In a letter to U.S. District Court Judge James Redden, the U.S. Department of Justice accepted the judge’s proposal for the government to voluntarily review its plan before the judge rules on its merits.
The government earlier asked for something similar as a way to end a legal impasse over the plan, and today Jane Lubchenco, the Oregon ecologist and head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said she was pleased with the direction of the case.
“We look forward to moving out of the courtroom and focusing on the protection and restoration efforts that make the most difference for Northwest salmon and the communities that rely on them,” Lubchenco said in a statement.
The Associated Press
NOAA's Jane Lubchenco
Judge Redden has twice rejected earlier plans, called biological opinions.
In a February 10 letter accompanying his proposed order for a so-called voluntary remand of the plan, Redden said Obama administration needs to consider the "best available science" during their review.
"They cannot rely exclusively on materials that support one position, while ignoring new or opposing scientific information," Redden wrote.
Significantly, the judge said in that letter that the government doesn’t need to change the plan’s jeopardy standard, the legal measure of whether the plan keeps fish from edging closer to extinction.
Opponents of the plan, which was first developed during the Bush administration and amended by the Obama administration last year, argue the jeopardy standard is illegal.
“The court noted that we do not need to start over from scratch, develop a new jeopardy framework or put at risk the progress made through the regional collaborative process,” Lubchenco said. “However, we will review any new, pertinent scientific information to ensure that the BiOp and AMIP continue to be based on the best available science.”
The judge also said the administration should provide more certainty that the plan, which relies in large part on expensive improvements to salmon habitat across the vast Columbia Basin, will be adequately funded into the future.
The plan is supported by a majority of Northwest tribes and states but opposed by the state of Oregon, the Nez Perce Tribe and a coalition of fishing and conservation groups, who argue it favors power production and shipping interests over threatened and endangered salmon and steelhead.
Oregon has argued that the fish need higher flows in the Columbia River than the plan envisions, while salmon advocates contend the surest way to save the fish is to remove four federal dams on the lower Snake River.
"We hope they take the next three months to fix the salmon plan by addressing the concerns we, the judge, and the whole Western Division of the American Fisheries Society have raised," said Nicole Cordan of the group Save Our Wild Salmon. "Then maybe we could have a salmon plan that actually solves this long-standing debate in the region instead of just more litigation."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Liz Hamilton, Executive Director
Ph: 503.631.8859
nsializ@aol.com
NSIA Celebrates New Year, New Board Members
January 11, 2010, Oregon City, OR. – The Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association (NSIA) is proud to welcome Janet Lebson, Woodland, WA, Mike Perusse, Lake Tapps, WA, and Derick Cole, Reno, NV, who were elected at the annual board of directors meeting to serve three years terms.
Janet Lebson, owner of Quest Compelling Communications, strengthens the NSIA board with nearly 20 years-worth of communications experience working for government, trade associations, businesses, and non-profit organizations in the field of conservation and outdoor recreation. For the past 3 years, Lebson has been a columnist and news/feature writer for Fishing Tackle Retailer, the sportfishing industry's national trade magazine, and recently became its senior writer for conservation. She enjoys reading, watching football, playing piano, and fishing, and she and her husband spend most of their free time playing with their 2-year-old son.
Derick Cole, VP of Western Sales for Maurice Sporting Goods, lived in Alaska for 23 years, working in sporting goods retail, at the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game, and commercial fishing. Derick started his Maurice Sporting Goods career in 1995 as an Alaska Territory manager. He and his wife Meghan moved to Reno, NV in 1998 where he continued to go to school and work full time, earning a graduate degree in Organizational Management. His passions include fly-fishing, waterfowl hunting and spending time with his two young children, teaching them about the great outdoors.
After spending three years in the United States Navy, Mike Perusse, NW Sales Representative for the Don Coffey Company, started a career as a sport fishing guided in Alaska, Washington and Oregon. Mike has been a sales rep in the Pacific Northwest since 1995, working with Shimano, G.Loomis and Power-Pro. Mike has a Masters in Fly-Casting Instruction and regularly teaches fly-casting. As a Co-host for Wild Country radio Show on KJR 950, Mike has a chance to interview the top performers in the industry and stay abreast of current issues. His favorite off the clock activities are spending time with wife Carey and son Porter, and chasing King Salmon in Alaska.
NSIA President Dan Parnel is enthusiastic about the breadth of skills and talent the 2010 Board possesses. Said Parnel, “I’m gratified to be at the helm of an Association that continues to attract youth, talent and science to our team. The new energy these individuals bring will compliment the experience of the existing board. Together we will continue to protect fishery resources, grow the sport fishing industry and the cultural, economic and environmental benefits of sport fishing in the northwest.”
###
About NSIA-The Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association was founded in 1993 by a collection of sport fishing industry business leaders who understood the need for a strong voice in the local, state, regional and federal governments. NSIA is not a sports club but an industry lobby group representing the business interests of the many members that depend on the sport of fishing for their livelihoods. For more information on Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association, visit www.nsiafishing.org.
Dec 23, 2009
For immediate release:
For More Information Contact:
Trey Carskadon, NSIA Government Affairs
503 723 5723 X 102
Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association responds to ODFW Egg Cure Study
On December 11th, 2009 representatives of NSIA Board, staff, scientists and members who manufacture bait cure or cured products received a briefing from ODFW staff regarding the effects of sodium sulfite in bait cures on captive populations of juvenile salmonids and trout.
The study concluded that cures with higher concentrations of sodium sulfite fed to fish in hatchery pens created various levels of mortality. ODFW staff did not identify this issue as a substantive conservation issue and were clear that the study did not provide information as to the population effects. Initial conversations indicated that this was not likely a crises warranting immediate regulatory action but that we may want to consider an outreach and education program that shares the results of the study for appropriate industry response.
In the meantime, the Board and Staff of NSIA are working to inform their manufacturers and members of the results of the study. Many of NSIA’s manufacturers have indicated they will voluntarily terminate their use of sodium sulfites until further studies can determine if the effects can be replicated outside captive populations. Various NSIA retailers and manufacturers are also working on education pieces for the angling public as well. To be clear, the study has not undergone necessary peer review, was not conducted in a representative environment and has not been replicated. Still, NSIA understands the concern and is meeting those concerns head-on. NSIA’s Board recognizes that our position to eliminate sulfites pending further study will likely result in the closure of some sport fishing related businesses. The NSIA has long supported and been champions for the highest standards of conservation related to our fishery resources. As is consistent with our guiding principles and values, we have elected to take this action in NSIA’s continuing effort to put the fish first.
We trust that members of the public and conservation community will appreciate the promptness of the NSIA’s response and the level of action embraced to address these preliminary findings.
November 20, 2009
Contact:
Liz Hamilton, nsializ@aol.com, (503) 631-8859, (503) 704-1772m to schedule NSIA member interviews
FISHING BUSINESSES RETURN TO FEDERAL COURT TO ASK DR. LUBCHENCO TO FIX FEDERAL SALMON PLAN
Current Plan is inadequate for Salmon, Bad for Businesses
PORTLAND, ORE. — Representatives of the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association (NSIA) will return to court on Monday, November 23 as part of a coalition challenging the Obama administration’s federal salmon plan. On September 15, The Obama administration decided to adopt a 2008 Bush administration plan — including support for the Bush-era scientific analysis and legal standard — over the strong objections of regional fish biologists, former Northwest Governors, people and businesses across the nation. NSIA continues to extend an open invitation to the Administration’s newly appointed NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco, to sit down with its business leaders to better understand the devastating economic impacts this plan will cause for their industry, comprised largely of small family businesses.
WHO: Several small family businesses owners and NSIA members will be available for comment including: Liz Hamilton, Executive Director, NSIA; Dan Parnel, President of NSIA and Owner of Leisure Sales; Scott Harden, NSIA Board member and Buyer at Big Rock Sports; Randy Woolsey, Co-Owner of The Tom Posey Co; Maddy Sheehan, in-house counsel; NSIA; Don Swartz, retired Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist and Science Advisor to NSIA; Bill Shake, former Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Science Advisor to NSIA, Rod Sando, Retired Director of Idaho Fish and Game, Bob Rees, NSIA Board Member and President of Northwest Guides and Anglers; Trey Carskadon, owner, BDC Advertising; Barney Currigan, NSIA member.
WHAT: Hearing on the case against the Obama administration plan for the Federal Columbia River Power System.
WHEN: Media availability of spokespeople will be immediately before the hearing from 9:00-9:45 a.m. PST and again during the noontime recess on Monday, November 23, 2009. The hearing begins at 10 a.m.
WHERE: Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse — located at 1000 S.W. Third Ave., Portland, OR 97204. Ceremonial Courtroom, 16th Floor
WHY: NSIA members will be attending the hearing because the decision Judge Redden makes will have tremendous implications for their companies and family owned businesses that support jobs for northwest families and Oregon communities. NSIA businesses have an open invitation to Dr. Lubchenco to sit down to talk with them about these impacts and hope to work with the Administrator on a federal salmon plan that the business community can have confidence in.
Public News Service-OR
September 16, 2009
Salmon Advocates Take Dim View of New 'Insurance Policy'
PORTLAND, Ore. - An "insurance policy for endangered Northwest salmon" is what the Obama administration says it is offering, after taking a few months to review and revise a plan drafted by the Bush administration to save native fish.
Fishing and conservation groups, critical of the Bush plan, had hoped for major changes to it. However, Obama's staff has determined that the plan, known as a biological opinion, is basically sound - although some emergency measures have been added, that would kick in only if fish numbers decline.
To Bill Shake, former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service assistant regional director, the revised plan is a disappointment.
"It seems to fly in the face of the promises that the president made, regarding the use of sound science to drive policy decisions - unlike the previous administration, where we know that politics are really calling all the shots."
Shake points out that, by the time the fish are in greater trouble, emergency measures to save them may be too little, too late. As a former manager of the regional fisheries program, he was one of many who expected a bigger overhaul of the plan. Over the years, three previous plans have been thrown out in federal court for not doing enough to protect the fish. Now, Shake thinks this one may meet the same fate.
"If you look at the actions that they've proposed, and they're pretty minor tweaks to the previous draft, all of the actions they tweaked that affect power revenues - and that's spill and flows for fish, and we know those are critical - they dialed those down."
The new plan doesn't say much about breaching four dams on the Lower Snake River, which fishing and conservation groups say would help restore native salmon and steelhead populations. It is now up to U.S. District Court Judge James Redden in Portland to rule on whether the new plan can be implemented.
The revisions, called an "Adaptive Management Implementation Plan" (AMIP), can be viewed online at www.salmonrecovery.gov .
The Obama administration reveals its salmon plan
by Matthew Preusch, The Oregonian
Tuesday September 15, 2009, 1:45 PM
Torsten Kjellstrand/The OregonianA big salmon heads up the Columbia River to spawn, then die.
Today the Obama administration is rolling out its plan to run federal power-producing dams in the Columbia Basin without pushing endangered runs of salmon closer to extinction.
The plan, called a Biological Opinion, affects everything from reservoir levels to electricity bills in the region. And it needs to pass muster with a federal judge in Portland for the government to legally operate the dams.
U.S. District Court Judge James Redden gave the federal government until today to review and make changes to the plan, which was originally submitted last year by the Bush administration.
A story in Monday's Oregonian provides background for announcement, and we'll be providing information and reaction here throughout the day.
8:25 a.m.
The Obama administration says it will support a plan submitted during the Bush years for Northwest salmon.
The government said the plan is legal and scientifically sound if it's implemented with revisions they revealed today.
The administration said it has reservations about how uncertainties like the impacts of climate change could affect the success of the plan, so it will speed up implementation of things like habitat improvement projects; improve monitoring of the effectiveness of salmon friendly projects; and put in place contingency plans should those actions turn out to not be enough to help salmon avoid extinction.
"The time has come to move out of the courtroom and get to work recovering salmon and preserving the region's unique way-of-life," said Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said in a statement. "This biological opinion, backed by sound science and tremendous state and tribal support, will help preserve the vibrancy and vitality of the Columbia and Snake River basins for generations to come."
Significantly, the revised plan directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin studying what would be required to remove four lower Snake River dams, but only as a "last resort". Salmon advocates argue removing the dams would be the single most beneficial thing the government could do for the fish.
The 42-page plan is here, and supporting materials are here.
9:40 a.m.
At 10:00 a.m., NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco; Barry Thom, the acting regional administrator of NOAA Fisheries; Steve Wright, Bonneville Power Administration head; Bill McDonald the regional director of the Bureau of Reclamation; and Brig. Gen. William Rapp, division commander of US Army Corps of Engineers, will hold a teleconference with reporters to discuss what they are calling their "insurance policy for the fish."
As expected, the plan is already receiving praise from a coalition of river users, businesses and upriver ports.
"This plan - while expensive - holds the most promise for the region to move forward collectively to do things that actually benefit fish," said Terry Flores, executive director of Northwest RiverPartners.
Salmon advocates and others - including the State of Oregon and Nez Perce Tribe - who challenged the plan in court will issue their reaction to the plan soon, and it is not likely to be favorable.
But the government's most important audience is Judge Redden, who must decide whether the "insurance policy" satisfies the requirements of the Endangered Species Act.
11:15 a.m.
A press conference with the heads of various federal agencies with a stake in Columbia Basin just concluded.
NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco explained that their plan to mitigate for the damage done to salmon by federal dams is legally and scientifically sound, but there is nonetheless some uncertainty.
"We believe the actions in the plan will prevent further declines, but we've added these contingencies just in case," Lubchenco said.
That includes things like curtailing fishing in the short term and, in the long term, the possible breach of Snake River dams.
"Possible breaching of the Snake River dams remains on the table in this plan, but it is considered a contingency of last resort and would only be implemented if the analysis concludes it would be appropriate and in fact beneficial," Lubchenco said.
The NOAA administrator said concerns over how climate change could further imperil fish informed their entire review of the plan.
"It's pretty obvious that climate change is already underway and it's expected to have fairly significant impacts in the Pacific Northwest; therefore, we thought it was good to factor that in to a lot of our thinking," she said.
Steve Wright, BPA administrator, said the administration's adjustments to the 2008 plan would cost an additional $6 million a year on top of the roughly $100 million it's already costing to implement.
In the meantime, salmon advocates issued a release slamming the plan as illegal and inadequate to keep the fish falling towards extinction.
"This Bush salmon plan appears to be inconsistent with President Obama's public statements about relying on sound science," said Bill Shake, former Regional Director for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. "We scientists believed the President when he said he would protect science and strengthen the ESA, but Secretary Locke has seemingly allowed political pressure to circumvent a decision based on sound science.
The Nez Perce Tribe, which advocates for breaching the lower Snake River dams, criticized the administration's handling of their review of the Bush-era plan.
"The administration's support for the 2008 BiOp maintains the scientific and legal flaws that prevent any real consideration of dam breaching. The administration's passing reference to dam breaching as a 'contingency of last resort' defers all necessary economic, infrastructure and other studies, making this 'contingency' an illusion," said Samuel N. Penney, Chairman of the Nez Perce Tribe.
"The tribe had hoped the administration would chart a new course rather than follow the politics of the past," Penney said.
1:45 p.m.
Reaction to Obama's salmon plan continues to come in from around the region.
Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell is praising the plan, saying it "meets scientific and legal requirements," The Associated Press reports.
But at least one Northwest congressman is criticizing the administration for feeding the debate over dam demolition.
"It is such a sad, terrible waste that this battle is being reignited, but let there be no doubt that we'll fight to save our dams in every way we can. These dams are here to stay," said Rep. Doc Hastings, whose district includes one of the lower Snake River dams.
-- Matthew Preusch, mattpreusch@news.oregonian.com, Twitter: @mpreusch
Energizing the future to save our salmon
by Liz Hamilton, guest opinion
Tuesday September 15, 2009, 7:30 AM
The fish are telling us something.
Earlier this year, salmon and steelhead migrations slowed to a crawl up the Columbia River because of high river temperatures, which worried those of us whose livelihoods are dependent on the survival of these fish. Even though temperatures eventually decreased sufficiently for their safe passage, the overall trend toward warmer rivers will ultimately take its toll on Oregon's cultural and economic lifeblood.
It's also something we can avoid, if we put ourselves to it.
First, we must admit the problem. Oregon is profoundly changing. Glaciers and annual snowpack are sharply decreasing, depriving juvenile and adult salmon and steelhead of a cold, clean water source in headwater streams. Our frequent 100-year floods and droughts are an additional stress for fish.
Most frightening, though, is the increased acidification of our ocean waters, carrying the ominous potential of gutting the ocean's food web from the bottom up. A universal theme is apparent: our own energy use.
Scientists warn that emissions from burning fossil fuels are accelerating and thus amplifying many climate changes, some exponentially. Fortunately, there are alternatives -- renewable, carbon-free energy. Oregonians are already heading in the right direction. Gov. Ted Kulongoski recently signed laws to reduce greenhouse gas pollutants, create more jobs promoting efficiency and renewable energy, and catapult the state into a future far less reliant on fossil fuels. But it's not enough.
As the U.S. Senate begins deliberating a climate and energy bill, Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are positioned to help convince their peers we need action. Now. They deserve our support.
Consider legislation recently passed in the House -- the American Clean Energy and Security Act. If enacted, this bill would spur a tsunami of entrepreneurship. According to a June 2009 report, Oregon already has more than 20,000 clean-energy jobs and 1,600 clean-energy businesses, with the sixth-best rate of clean-energy job growth in the country. The Center for American Progress projects Oregon could gain 27,000 more jobs if Congress establishes limits on carbon emissions, thus driving billions in investments toward clean-energy alternatives. Visionaries who recognize future trends are the multimillionaires of tomorrow, and states that promote clean-energy development will create thousands of new jobs.
If we save our salmon, we'll save even more jobs, and along with them the Northwest's proud heritage. So, here's an offer you shouldn't refuse: If there isn't a trend here that rewards those who find and implement better energy choices for America, then I'll take you to my secret fishing spot.
Liz Hamilton is executive director of the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association and a board member of the National Wildlife Federation
The false choice on endangered salmon
by Liz Hamilton, guest opinion
Friday June 05, 2009, 7:30 AM
THE OREGONIAN The dorsal fin of a salmon breaks the surface of the Columbia River.
The Oregonian's recent editorial on the Columbia-Snake salmon debate ("Fresh eyes, fragile deal on Columbia salmon," May 26) unfortunately presents the Northwest with a false choice.
The editorial board has been quick to support the settlement agreement between the Bonneville Power Administration and four lower Columbia River tribes and to suggest that changes to the current Columbia-Snake salmon plan or biological opinion would unravel the BPA's agreements.
To be clear: The sportfishing industry and our allies support the continued funding of the projects identified in these agreements. But we disagree that the changes necessary to make the federal salmon plan scientifically and legally sound would unravel these accords. The projects within these plans should continue, but the science is clear that these undertakings alone will not recover endangered Columbia River salmon -- in part because only half of the funds in the agreements are directed toward boosting endangered salmon and steelhead populations.
This is not -- and should not be cast as -- an either/or question. Salmon need both. We need to fund habitat improvements and tribal hatchery projects in the basin, and we need a scientifically credible and legal biological opinion. The goal is not to end the ongoing litigation. The goal is recovery of endangered salmon and all that they represent to our Northwest way of life -- jobs, tribal and non-tribal culture, and the health of our rivers.
All this is at risk if we do not deliver a durable and long-lasting solution to the ongoing salmon crisis -- a solution that protects that Northwest way of life, ends uncertainty and conflict, puts folks back to work and results in a clean-energy future.
To reach that solution, the new administration will need to build a table that includes all stakeholders and that considers all scientifically credible options, including the removal of the four lower Snake River dams. Since the hydroelectric system is responsible for killing the majority of the salmon in the Columbia Basin, it's only common sense that some fundamental changes to river operations will be a necessary part of legitimate deliberations.
Much of the current plan ignores the best available salmon science. For example, the plan rolls back the court-ordered protections that fishermen and fishing businesses fought so hard to put into place. It ignores the science of state, federal and tribal fishery biologists, and it redefines the jeopardy standard of the Endangered Species Act, weakening the core values of the law. If upheld, the radically weakened standard for salmon will eventually apply to every endangered wildlife species in our nation. It's not surprising that U.S. District Judge James Redden's guidance to the parties in the case highlights these same concerns and more. The plan is scientifically and legally inadequate.
The Obama administration has an opportunity to protect and restore one of this nation's most important natural resources: wild Columbia-Snake River salmon and steelhead. We don't need to pit tribes against non-tribal fishermen. We can continue the tribal projects agreed to in the regional settlement discussions, and we can craft a scientifically sound and legally supportable salmon plan.
We can and we must do both.
Liz Hamilton is executive director of the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
LAURA GUNDERSON
The fOREGON BUSINESS NEWS
International and local small business news on economics and finance
5Questions with Liz Hamilton, Executive
Director of the Northwest Sportfishing
Industry Association
When Liz Hamilton read of Joe’s Sports & Outdoor’s recent bankruptcy filing, the executive director of the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association felt first for her friends. Joe’s, a 57-year-old local retailing icon, had helped create Hamilton’s organization and many of the Portland-based retailer’s executives had sat on the trade group’s board. Then the avid fisherwoman considered how the loss of another local business could affect her fellow anglers and the hundreds of local businesses that supply Joe’s. Once considered recession-proof, the sportfishing industry has been hit particularly hard this year, Hamilton said, between years of fluctuating salmon-fishing seasons and the recession’s effect on consumers’ eagerness to spend and tightening credit markets. The Oregonian recently posed Five Questions to Hamilton; her answers have been edited for clarity and length.
Q: In terms of your retailer members, is Joe’s alone in its
struggles?
A: Absolutely not. The entire sportfishing industry, whether you
look at these large retailers, mom-and-pop tackle shops or a
person whose business is based out of a boat. They’ve been
suffocating for years. In particular, the smaller businesses are
folding like chairs — we lost The Duffle Bag last year, a chain
of three outdoors retailers in Seattle. The primary reason is that
current (salmon fishing) management frameworks have been
making seasons shorter and less predictable. And, as with other
industries, the economy has been another hit, both in terms of
credit and consumer confidence. Our industry suffered a double
whammy.
Q: How has this industry fared in past downturns?
A: People have tended to fish when times are troubled, both because you can put fish on
the table but also, when times are rough, spending time on a river with family and friends makes
people feel better. Look back at the late ’80s early ’90s and take one area, the tackle side, and you’d
see the industry doing well. More recently, there’s been that “staycation” concept; fishing allows
people to stay close to home to spend discretionary money. In 2001 and 2002, Oregon had just about
highest unemployment rate in nation, and yet our industry was posting double-digit gains. Last year,
gas prices were reaching near record highs and yet when the Columbia River season opened, for a
brief time, we had nearly record participation. The boat launches would get so full that if you didn’t
get there by 6 a.m., there was no place to park.
Q: What are the specific problems Northwest sports and outdoors retailers face?
A: Management frameworks have driven customers away with unpredictable seasons.
You book a trip, and you don’t know whether you’re going to be able to take it. When seasons are
short, they can become crowded and less pleasant to participate in. It’s a customer discouragement
plan. For retailers, that meant demand was suppressed because customer needs were not being met.
Retailers here typically order merchandise during the first week of January at wholesale buying
shows, but this year, we didn’t hear about when the Columbia River spring chinook season — the
usual fishing kickoff — would open until late February. That meant retailers couldn’t order or move
goods with any confidence and that put a damper on purchases.
Q: Your group is supporting House and Senate bills before the legislature this year. If passed,
how would they help members of your trade group?
A: We see the bills (HB 2734 and SB 554 ) creating a shift to help both the sportfishing industry, as
well as commercial fisherman. This is not a time to hurt jobs, but help jobs in both sectors. The bills
would create off-channel areas for commercial fishing that would allow that industry to get as many
or more fish than they do today. For sportfishing, the bills could double what’s done in the Columbia
River and increase opportunities off the coastline. We want to look at this from a holistic place: How
we can provide better preservation and grow the economy. Those fish are worth their weight in gold.
Q: What do you see as the effect on the local sportfishing industry, specifically in the retail
area, if Joe’s were to close for good?
A: Without Joe’s, there would be a ripple affect to 50 to 100 small businesses that would be difficult
to contemplate. Joe’s was a corporation with a commitment to buying from local vendors. We have
unique fisheries here and we’ve got local manufacturers building specifically for them. There are
boats built by hand here for our rivers, tackles, rods and reels for these fisheries. You’re not a player
here unless you’re building specific gear for here. Joe’s always focused on those small vendors, who
really owed their success to having a regional store with that many outlets purchasing their tackle. It
remains to be seen how that same commitment is or isn’t being kept from companies from other
places. For customers who are used to having stores in their neighborhood, there would be one more
barrier to participating in this sport and supporting this industry.