ODFW Director Shuffle

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Roy Elicker's resignation will become effective Oct. 10, 2014 as he begins working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as Assistant Regional Director for Fishery Resources for the USFWS Pacific Region based in Portland.

Elicker, who has been ODFW Director since 2007, started with ODFW in 1993 as a Watershed Health Program Coordinator. During his time working for the state he has been a Fish Screening Program Manager, Fish Division Deputy Administrator, Legislative Coordinator, and Deputy Director for Fish and Wildlife Programs. Elicker will assume his new position with USFWS on Oct. 12, 2014.  Elicker will be responsible for daily operations of U.S. Fish and Wildlife fisheries programs in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Hawaii.

ODFW Commission appointed Curt Melcher as the Interim Director for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Melcher has 27 years experience with ODFW and served as the Fish Division Assistant Administrator for the Columbia River and Marine Programs before acting as the Deputy Director for Fish and Wildlife Programs. Melcher's new position took effect October 1st, and will he will continue to serve as interim director until the Commission appoints a permanent director.

In the meantime, you can fill out a seven-question survey to give the department perspective of what qualities the public would like to see in a new director here:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ODFWDirector

This piece was published in the Corvallis Advocate October 9th, 2014
http://www.corvallisadvocate.com/2014/department-of-fish-wildlife-director-shuffle/

ODFW Tries to Stomp out the Potential Spread of Elk Hoof Disease

Photo courtesy of ODFW

Several elk harvested in Multnomah and Columbia counties have shown signs of a hoof disease that has been a problem in neighboring areas across the Columbia River in Washington. Processors in Washington familiar with the disease have reported receiving elk from Oregon that share the symptoms, but the presence of the bacteria is still unconfirmed. The disease first appeared in SW Washington's elk herds in 2002 and has become widespread since 2007, effecting nearly 20-90 percent of herds. State wildlife managers in Washington are researching a possible link to treponeme bacteria. Four independent laboratories have found treponeme in hooves of diseased elk. (There is no evidence that the bacteria is harmful to humans. It is specific to the hooves and does not affect the animals organs or meat.)

The bacterial disease results in debilitating lameness caused by deformed, overgrown or broken hooves, abscesses and laminitis. Commonly appearing in livestock such as sheep and cattle, it is possible that the bacteria may have been transmitted through wet soil in Washington's lowland areas. With known interchange of elk herds crossing the boundary of the Columbia River, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has joined a working group of veterinary staff and biologists to track the spread of the disease. The disease has not transferred to other wildlife, nor has it been observed being commonly transferred from domestic livestock to elk and vice-versa. This evidence indicates that neither populations are suspect for infecting the other, although the possibility of that becoming
an issue is being monitored.

JoAnna Dotson photographed this herd swimming the Columbia River
in Warrenton and coming ashore in Hammond. Herds could potentially
bring the bacteria over the state's bordering waterway`. 

The Columbian reports, during recent work group meetings on the issue, that some locals have questioned the possibility of a link from herbicides being used on private timber land. One of those locals, Krystal Davies, is a farrier (horse-shoeing expert) that lived near recently logged Weyerhauser land. She had been out riding horses on the company's property earlier in the year until she noticed her horses having a rapid increase in abscesses. However, without lab testing it's difficult to draw links to the abscesses, herbicides and the bacteria.

Herbicide experts advising the WDFW claim there is no evidence that herbicides used on forest land have had adverse effects on elk or other animals. Regional wildlife manager Sandra Jonker says, "To date, we're just not seeing that relationship," pointing to the fact that lab samples are pointing to bacteria and not toxins. Mark Smith of Toutle mentioned that even if the herbicides do not harm the elk directly, they change the variety and quantity of forage foods for elk, leading to malnutrition and making them more susceptible to disease. Locals questioning the possible link also pointed out that WDFW's invited experts that denied a connection to the use of herbicides were funded by the forest products industry. They also questioned the toxicology being conducted on infected elk that were killed for examination, and called for blood samples from elk living with the bacterial infection.

Timber companies treat clearcuts by spraying herbicides to prevent other emerging plants from competing with the newly planted saplings. Clearcut timber restorations were managed in the past by controlled burns until concerns for air quality prompted a switch in management methods in the 90's. Clark County Commissioner Ed Barnes called for a moratorium on the spraying of herbicides by timber companies, and legislation requiring the moratorium if they did not agree to it voluntarily. In spite of his petition to the governor, Washington state agencies haven't shown an interest to set this particular idea into motion.

To better understand the game management plan south of the Columbia River, I spoke with Julia Burco, an ODFW veterinarian serving the elk hoof disease technical advisory committee. Her perspective highlights three main factors, "Host, environment and pathogen" while tracking the spread of the disease. She points out that Roosevelt elk are more predisposed to abnormal wear due to chronic moisture in the environment, making them more likely to suffer from lesions and bacterial infections. A lack of forage food in the elk's habitat (due to herbicides in some areas) resulting in poor nutrition could contribute to the susceptibility of disease as well. "The bacteria itself is difficult to observe because it's constantly changing," says Burco. She suggests that replicating the disease in domestic animals may make it easier to study, but most of the treatments used with domestic animals like foot baths and cleaning pens are difficult to apply to free-roaming herds. Antibiotic injections common in domestic animals can't be used on wild populations that hunters are harvesting for food either. The lack of field-treatment options makes it a difficult challenge to contain the range of it's spread. "It's very frustrating managing illnesses in wild herds of any kind," says Burco. "We're simply trying to better understand the bacteria, how it's spreading, and how to contain it." She mentions that minimizing the transfer of animals over the state line, both wild and domestic, is the best that can be done for now.

Still, the issue appears to be caused by multiple contributing factors perpetuated by the host's lack of natural predators, population density, changes in habitat, and the persistent evolution of bacteria that is difficult to treat, containing it seems to be the top priority of ODFW.

Hunters who harvest visibly infected elk are encouraged to report to ODFW and turn over the damaged hooves for examination. Hunters can fill out a form online or contact the wildlife health lab toll-free at (888)968-2600 or by email at WildlifeHealth@state.or.us to arrange for collection of the infected hooves.

Photo courtesy of ODFW

This article was featured in the February 5th issue of the Corvallis Advocate:

http://www.corvallisadvocate.com/2015/odfw-tries-to-stomp-out-elk-hoof-disease/

Farm Raised Tilapia are a Poor Substitute for Wild Caught Fish

Global harvest of tilapia species in million metric tons
as reported by the FAO, 1950–2009

Long gone is the standard of going out back to collect eggs from the henhouse, out to the garden for vegetables, and down to the water for fresh fish. The changes in our eating habits are a direct result of the changes in our lifestyles. Many people will go their whole lives without having their hand in the production of what ends up on the table. That disconnect is partially why first grade children have more difficulty identifying a tomato than ketchup. The introduction of pesticides, fertilizer and monoculture have altered farming practices. The introduction of antibiotics has allowed for livestock to survive in crowded and unsanitary conditions, replacing free-range grazing as the status quo of food production. As we seek out healthier options in a society where convenience and affordability take priority over hunting and gathering, some of the options can be deceptive.

When most of us think of factory-farmed animals, fish is not the first mental image that appears in our heads. However, pigs, chickens and cows are not the only crowded domestic creatures being raised in cages. Fish are commonly viewed as a healthier option because of high protein and low fat content in addition to fish oil high omega-3 fatty acids. However, much in the similar way that grass-fed beef is usually more lean, wild caught fish contain more nutritional value due to a high-quality diet. Fish that are fed cheap corn or soy pellets lack the same foundation at the bottom of the food web that creates the vitamin-rich filet at the top of the food chain when it reaches our plates. Tilapia, the most popular farm-raised fish on the market, is so widely available that wild-caught Tilapia is extremely rare. Research from Wake Forest University has revealed that not only does farm-raised Tilapia lack the same levels of the desirable omega-3 fatty acids, but it also contains levels of detrimental omega-6 fatty acids exceeding that of doughnuts, ground beef and bacon. The end result is an exaggerated inflammatory response that could put those with heart disease, asthma, arthritis, other allergic and auto-immune diseases at risk by damaging blood vessels, the heart, lungs, joints, skin and the digestive tract. Health professionals offering nutritional advice to consume more fish in order to combat some of these health issues has the potential to become a serious issue if low-income patients reach for Tilapia as a cheaper alternative to something like wild caught salmon.

Tilapia are hardy fish that require little space and a very inexpensive vegetarian diet that does not retain the same levels of mercury as other fish. Lakeway Tilapia farms claims that "American farm-raised fish like Tilapia, are kept in very controlled conditions, and fed a nutritionally complete diet." Conversely, in addition to being commonly given GMO feed, tilapia are often fed chicken manure, duck and pig waste, as well as feces collected from the waste-water of other farmed fish like hybrid striped bass. This practice was highlighted by Mike Rowe on the Discovery Channel's show "Dirty Jobs." The unsavory conditions in which Tilapia are typically raised on an industrial scale require the use of antibiotics to combat diseases. While Tilapia, otherwise known as the "Nile Perch" are commonly fed low quality foods, there are some smaller aquaculture operations that have found alternative solutions. One particular farm in Maine is feeding their fish organic pellet feed as well as duckweed grown in a greenhouse. However, the labeling of fish as "organic" has become a heated debate in regards to the comparison of nutritional value of wild caught fish. Wild caught carnivorous fish feed on other smaller baitfish, and as mentioned in The New York Times, "The issue comes down largely to what a fish eats, and whether the fish can be fed an organic diet."

Nutritional value of wild caught vs. farmed salmon correlates the increased levels of omega-6 fatty acids, in spite of the fact that a common selling point is that the farm raised fish have higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids. The trade-off for the insignificant increase of omega 3 vs. nearly four to five times the amount of omega-6, twice the calories from fat and three to four times the saturated fat makes wild-caught the obviously more nutritious option, not to mention that it is higher in minerals like potassium, zinc and iron.

Along with diet, there are concerns about contaminants that have been found in farm-raised fish. Polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, pesticides and toxic chemicals found in pvc like dibutylin are among the list of contaminants found in "very controlled conditions." While fish farms claim that their systems reduce the number of environmental pollutants, the systems in which the fish are being raised are deliberately contaminated with these toxins as part of the controlled environment. This is true not only for Tilapia, but salmon, mussels, shrimp and virtually all aquaculture farming.

Beyond the science, the ethics of factory farming have long been criticized. Outdoor enthusiasts who are fortunate enough to know the health benefits of venison vs. beef and boar vs. pork also know that there is a connection to the food web that exists from wild-harvesting. If the age-old saying of "you are what you eat" is true, then wouldn't it be more appealing to be free than imprisoned? A free-range environment of our food sources allows for them to move about, burn fat and consume a diverse, truly complete diet. Taking a life to nourish your own is something that most humans seem to have forgotten while filling their carts at the grocery store with the flesh of other creatures. I would encourage anyone reaching for Tilapia to reach for a fishing pole instead. There is value to considering the full life of what we consume if we are to live to the fullest ourselves.

This piece was published by The Good Men Project on 10/12/2014

http://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/farm-raised-a-poor-substitute-for-wild-caught-wcz/

International Fly Fishing Film Festival (IF4) at Whiteside Theater

International Fly Fishing Film Festival at Whiteside Theater

Trout Unlimited Bluebacks Volunteers
survey the South Fork Siletz for
Native Steelhead Redds

If you were fortunate enough to squeeze into a packed house at least year's Fly Fishing Film Tour showing at the Whiteside, you already have some idea of what's in store for this year's event on October 11th, featuring international film-makers from all over the globe. This year, the local Bluebacks chapter of Trout Unlimited is bringing the International Fly Fishing Film Festival (or dubbed IF4 for short) to the big screen. The Festival hosts five featured films and a handful of short films starring April Vokey, Camille Egdorf, Frank Moore, Steelhead, Arctic Char and trout from British Columbia to Spain.

The Corvallis screening sponsored by Nectar Creek Honeywine and Ninkasi Brewing will be a charity event for the local Bluebacks Chapter of Trout Unlimited. All proceeds will go towards funding ongoing habitat restoration projects on the Siletz River.

Last year's proceeds from the Whiteside Theater's F3T screening funded a survey on the South Fork of the Siletz River conducted alongside by volunteers with the Bluebacks Chapter. Rewind to 1984, when the Valsetz Dam which blocked access to spawning grounds of Native Steelhead and Salmon populations was removed. Fast forward to present day when Polk County has been considering rebuilding the dam to pull drinking water for residents. The surveys have collected data that show the area of the South Fork above the old dam site is still actively being used as a spawning ground for native anadromous fish, as well as surrounding tributaries that would also be affected by the rebuilding of the dam.

Last year around the same time the BlueBacks organized the FT3 screening, Ted Taylor published an article in the Eugene Weeky about the Soda Springs Dam on the North Umpqua "River Be Dammed" that addressed several common problems with dams that create major obstacles for spawning fish. Water flows and temperatures are altered, impacting sensitive species in the food chain. Migratory fish passage, even with the addition of fish ladders, is reduced or even completely eliminated, affecting the entire ecosystem and its nutrient cycle. Insects birds and mammals are also affected by the kinks in the food chain dams create. Dams not only block access to higher spawning grounds, but affect the spawning grounds downstream by diminishing fresh gravel, woody debris and nutrients. The constriction of spawning habitat hurt recreational and commercial fishing, both in rivers and the ocean.

Last year's survey was a less accurate but very low-budget version of fish counting methods, based on volunteers organized by the Bluebacks and trained by the Oregon Deparment of Fish and Wildlife along with a professional rapid bio assessment conducted by Bio Surveys LLC. While some major river systems are monitored using electronic sonar to track fish passage, the survey used the eyes of contractors and volunteers to spot spawning redds of South Fork Siletz fish. The future of the program will monitor the progress of woody debris habitat restoration conducted by ODFW and funded by the Bluebacks, so buy a ticket and give a smolt a home!

Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased on the IF4 website www.flyfilmfest.com. Cash in your drink tickets for a frosty beverage from the event sponsors in a souvenir pint glass. Doors open at 6:30pm for pre-party socializing, gathering and friend-making. Film starts promptly at 8pm, please remember to turn off your electronic devices. Tight lines...

Published by www.theHypeCorvallis.com September 30th, 2014:

http://www.thehypecorvallis.com/2014/10/01/international-fly-fishing-film-festival-say-five-times-fast/

Eradication by Mastication

Each year, some of the top chefs in the Willamette Valley gather their efforts to innovate dishes with a focus on invasive species. The cookout is held as a fundraiser for the Institute of Applied Ecology, which is a non-profit with a mission to conserve native species through habitat restoration, research and education. The event at Zenith Vineyard in Salem begins at 2pm on Sunday, September 28th and ends at 7pm. There will be a live auction fundraiser as well that includes guided outdoor adventures concluded with culinary presentations. The event will host live music by The Celtic Acoustic and Folkadelic Nettles as well as demos on preparing Asian carp and nutria by Chef Philippe Parola. On the menu for the event are hors d'oeuvres by Matt Bennett of Sybaris Bistro in Albany including crawfish-stuffed piquillo peppers, wild turkey terrine with mole spices, dandelion spanakopita, sorrel-smoked salmon puffs and wild boar bratwurst with blackberry mustard. Main dishes from Joshua Green of Bon Appetit at Willamette University include smoked paprika and buttermilk fried bullfrog legs with guajillo adobo sauce, braised boar with bourbon blackberry glaze, among other dishes featuring local ingredients. Amelia Lane and Anna Henricks of Sweetheart Bakery in Portland will provide desserts of double chocolate blackberry swirl tart, chocolate hazelnut pate, mint lemon-balm and rose custard tart, hazelnut huckleberry with wild rosehips jam tart. Wash it all down with Sky-High Brewing's "Berry Invasive Blonde Ale."

You can purchase tickets online from the Eradication by Mastication website. There are discounts for children and groups. The Grand Hotel in Salem is offering special accomodations for guests attending the event and can be reached at (503)540-7800.

This piece was published in the September 25th issue of The Corvallis Advocate:
http://www.corvallisadvocate.com/2014/eradication-by-mastication-returns/

"The Season of Rain is Coming. Hold out Your Hand."

How having not only the right gear, but the right attitude can prepare you for the oncoming seasonal transition towards the end of summer...

The late Greta Wrolstad's poem "Fontaine de Vaucluse" speaks of rivers being released into a parched valley. Droughts along the west coast have dried lakes to record low water levels and shriveled river systems into a series of puddles making it impossible for anadromous fish to travel upstream to spawn. Forest fires have spread smoke miles across surrounding areas unaffected by the flames. It almost seems selfish at this point to mourn the loss of Summer. As the seasons change in the Pacific Northwest, the lack of vitamin D, also known as the "Sunshine Vitamin" changes our moods along with the weather. Rain, although a mild irritation, is a necessary element to our environment. Welcoming, rather than lamenting the transition of sunshine into precipitation is merely a matter of changing your perspective. Replacing your resentment with gratitude will change your attitude.

With the rain, the dust settles. Crispy brown grass that once invited fires to spread and consume everything in it's path like a virus will become lush, green vegetation. The moisture of the soil invites mycelium to spread beneath the layer of debris on the forest floor. The rising river levels push smolts out to sea, and invite adult salmonids upstream to create their next generation.

Fall is the return of football season, jumping into piles of leaves and hoodie weather. It's important for our psychological seasonal transition to be like water, and go with the flow. Pull your rain gear out of the closet and run it through the wash. Have a good pair of boots. Replace your windshield wipers and tires. Make sure the batteries in your headlamp are still good as the days begin to end earlier than you've become accustomed to. Maintain your physiological health with a stash of Vitamin D. Prepare yourself mentally for the challenges of maintaining an active lifestyle and have all the necessary items to prevent yourselves from being discouraged to go outdoors, rain or shine.

This piece was published by The Good Men Project on September 28th, 2014

http://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/the-season-rain-coming-hold-hand-wcz/

Bites and Rashes: Things to avoid while seeking outdoor adventures

Freshly sprouted Poison Oak. During the Fall,
the leaves morph into a deep reddish purple.

As the streets are emptied in our quiet college town, residents begin to get the itch to get outdoors and soak up the valuable abundance of Vitamin D. Plant life shows it's gratitude for the sunshine as well, and the Williamette Valley bounty provides a vast menu of wild selections. However, as the berries ripen and flowers bloom, poison oak puts out fresh, waxy, toxic leaves. While the simple rule of "leaves of three, leave it be" applies, it's not an easy plant to identify and take preventative action against coming in contact with it. While there is debate as to whether or not it's possible to possess or build up an immunity to Poison Oak, the best way to prevent getting a rash from it is to avoid it. When trekking through brush or wooded areas, it's helpful to wear long pants or socks, but the oils from the plant can stay intact within the material and still be able to cause an allergic reaction. It's also important to remember when walking a dog that the oils can transfer from their coat to human skin.

If you do come in contact with Poison Oak, there are a few over-the-counter products that are effective treatments. Marie's Original Soap was originally developed by a native Oregonian from Grants Pass. It features a blend of all-natural ingredients that removes the oil and soothes irritation. The oatmeal on the surface of the bar provides sweet relief with a gentle but abrasive texture. Tecnu also mades a wide range of treatments, from itch relieving calagel to their "extreme" scrub. The history of the product is based on removing radioactive dust from skin and clothing. Oregonian and chemical engineer Dr. Robert Smith was developing the product during the cold war when his wife discovered it's use in removing the toxic plant oils from human skin. The treatments all have different applications, but the scrub has a blend of ingredients that covers all of the bases. Although the list of ingredients is not as natural as Marie's Soap, the Albany, OR based products are used as a staple for outdoor first aid kits all over the country. Hyland's makes a homeopathic dissolvable tablet that treats the rash and irritation, however an outdoor product created in Los Angeles is bound to invite skepticism. If a rash persists in spite of over-the-counter treatments, it's a good measure to see a doctor and ditch the homeopathic and chemical topical applications.

Summer also brings out biting and stinging insects. Mosquito larva hatch, filling the late evening air with flying vampires. While at the bottom of the food chain, they are the cornerstone of the diet of many wildlife species. The internet is full of natural remedy cocktails that can be sprayed on the skin as an alternative to the common chemical deet, used in most bug sprays. However if you choose to apply some of these chemicals, it's a good idea to apply them to buff headwear (a versatile cloth that can be worn as a fabric mask) or clothing rather than directly on your face or skin.

Even with repellents, sleeves, pants and other coverings, some insects are persistent. Ticks take hold during the summer months looking for a host to sustain them. It's good to check your nooks and crannys under your clothing for these critters, but some of them are so small they are difficult to notice before they dig in. If you do happen to host one of these parasites, keep in mind that just about everything you have heard about removing them is probably wrong. Touching them with a hot match or something of the sort will cause them to vomit into your flesh at the site, increasing the chances of infection. Tweezers should be used to remove the tick just below the head with light, upward tugging, but no twisting. The remaining area should be cleaned with rubbing alcohol. Ticks do not grow back if you break their jaws or head off while they are attached to you. If this does happen, let the skin heal and reject the foreign object. If the bite develops a white ring or becomes inflamed and red, see a doctor.

There are a number of flying insects with stingers that are also a summertime buzzkill. Should you get stung by any of them, the treatments are pretty basic for any of these species. Remove the stinger with your fingernail or an object like a knife or credit card. Do not try to pinch the stinger to pull it out, as it simply releases more of the toxins into the body. Remove any constricting items like watches or rings that will be more difficult to remove after swelling and ice the bite area. Itchyness and irritation can be treated with any anti-histamine allergy medication. A wad of wet tobacco will act as an anesthetic, as well as constricting the blood vessels at the sting area so the venom doesn't spread. Keep in mind that honeybees are pollenators essential to providing the bounty of produce that feeds us and try not to disturb or eradicate these insects. You can call the Oregon State Beekeepers Association if you need to have a swarm removed.

This piece was published by the Good Men Project on May 15th, 2015:

http://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/bites-and-rashes-things-to-avoid-while-seeking-outdoor-adventures-r5b/

This piece was published by "The Hype - Corvallis" on August 26th, 2014:

http://www.thehypecorvallis.com/2014/08/28/got-bad-kind-outdoor-itch-rain-shine-can-help/