New Search
Legislative and Conservation Affairs <br /> With the help of our legislative liaison,Stephen Kafoury biodiversity and T&E species,making connections in a <br /> (and his new assistant Jennifer Flynt)we have been making local and southern Willamette Valley context. <br /> good use of this time between legislative sessions. <br /> Because of the recurring special legislative sessions,we <br /> Legislator Field Trips were not able to schedule summer field trips in other parts of <br /> In keeping with ORTWS's mission to"promote wise the state. However,we are still making efforts to schedule a <br /> conservation and management of wildlife resources in Legislative Field Day in the Portland Metropolitan Area. If <br /> Oregon by serving and representing wildlife professionals," you are interested in participating,or want to make sure your <br /> Jennifer Flynt and Steve Gordon,Wetland Coordinator for legislator is invited to take a tour,please contact Stephen <br /> Lane Council of Governments,organized and directed an Kafoury Government Relations via jkflynt@hevanet.com,or <br /> interactive Legislators'Field Day in the Willow Creek 503-223-2330. <br /> Natural Area and Prairie Overlook at Meadowlark Prairie in <br /> Eugene on August 14. This was an informal opportunity for Votes on Arctic National Wildlife Refuge <br /> legislators,other local government officials,and Chapter President Cheryl Friesen sent letters of <br /> environmentalists to discuss wildlife area challenges and appreciation to Congressman Earl Blumenauer, <br /> goals in the area. The field trip was such a hit that the Congressman Peter DeFazio,Congresswoman Darlene <br /> legislators and candidates asked to come back in the spring. Hooley,Congressman David Wu,and Senator Ron Wyden. <br /> The participants included Rep.Phil Barnhart(D- Text of the letter is as follows: <br /> Eugene),Rep.Vicki Walker(D-Eugene)candidate for the On behalf of the Oregon Chapter of The Wildlife <br /> state senate,and former Rep.Floyd Prozanski,a candidate Society, I would like to express our appreciation for your <br /> for the state house. All were interested in and supportive of consideration of the fish and wildlife resources of Alaska <br /> ORTWS programs and efforts.Tour Guides included Ed with your recent vote to not drill in the Arctic National <br /> Alverson,The Nature Conservancy,Willow Creek Natural Wildlife Refuge. <br /> Area Steward;Eric Wold,City of Eugene Public Works, We would appreciate your continued support for <br /> Parks and Open Spaces Division Wetland Program conserving the wildlife resources of ANWR if this issue <br /> Supervisor;Pat Johnston,Bureau of Land Management, arises again in the future. We are available to you as a <br /> Eugene District Wetland Manager;and Jason Heuser,City professional resource for information on wildlife <br /> of Eugene Intergovernmental Relations Manager. The management issues,particularly in Oregon, but we can <br /> guides illustrated how the West Eugene Wetland program also facilitate information-gathering from the Alaska <br /> benefits wildlife and habitat. Chapter. <br /> We shared Gordon's top 10 topics of discussion with We are a professional and scientific organization <br /> participants in advance. They include the following: representing over 600 wildlife biologists in Oregon. Our <br /> Chapter's professional composition enables us to provide <br /> 1. The value of the plan and its vision within the context of authoritative information on wildlife issues in our state. We <br /> Oregon's wetland and land use laws. do this to aid public discussion of natural resource <br /> 2. The value of the rare plant community for plants and management and to promote the application of sound <br /> wildlife. science in resource management and policy decisions. <br /> 3. Other multiple values in an urban setting(stormwater <br /> conveyance,floodplain management,and recreation). Again, thank you for your vote, <br /> 4. Forming lasting partnerships. Cheryl Friesen,President <br /> 5. The value of public acquisition from willing sellers at fair Oregon Chapter, The Wildlife Society <br /> market value—use of federal and state funds matched <br /> with local dollars. Federal Endangered Species Act <br /> 6. Use of state and federal funds matched with local dollars We have been monitoring Congressman Greg Walden's so- <br /> for stream restoration. called"Sound Science Initiative"(H.R.4840),an attempt to <br /> 7. The value of the mitigation bank(Oregon's first)to fund weaken the Federal Endangered Species Act by imposing <br /> and manage restoration and enhancement projects. much higher hurdles for listing species.By talking with staff <br /> 8. How the plan helped businesses. members of several members of Congress,we have found <br /> 9. How we partner with Oregon Youth Conservation Corps that this bill is not going to receive any more consideration <br /> and two local youth corps providers. this year.We will continue to watch this,and other similar <br /> 10. The future: Forest Legacy,Parks Master Plan Update, pieces of federal legislation such as CARA,that could have <br /> Lir Education Center,more waterway restoration projects, significant effects for Oregon wildlife.Please keep ORTWS <br /> 4 Oregon Chapter TWS <br />