Is this a healthy shoreline?
We think not, but this is what Klickitat County allows, and there will be a lot more of this along the White Salmon under the proposed Shoreline Master program.
Lacking scientific basis, they propose to significantly reduce protections along the White Salmon river, allowing more fragmentation for residential development with reduced buffers, putting the river, water quality, and fish habitat at risk.”
River People…
If you care about keeping the White Salmon free and beautiful clean and cold, we need you!! The Washington State Court of Appeals has set the hearing date for the Husum/BZ comprehensive plan for:
Monday, March 30, 2015, 10AM (arrive by 9:30AM)
HUDSON’S BAY HIGH SCHOOL, 1601 E McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver, Wa
For those not familiar with the issue, in a nutshell it is:
Friends of the White Salmon River and the Friends of the Columbia Gorge challenged in court, Klickitat County’s proposed comprehensive plan for the Husum/BZ area. The plan would allow rezone of over 1,000 acres of land in the White Salmon River Valley from forest and farm to residential zoning with 1 and 2 acre minimum lot sizes. We contended the County violated state law in a variety of ways, and we won that argument in Superior Court. The County then appealed, so now we are at the Court of Appeals.
For a short history of the appeal and a map. see:
http://crag.org/2012/03/06/white-salmon-river-valley-water-threatened/
and for information on the victory in Superior Court, see:
http://crag.org/2013/06/11/the-little-river-that-could/
We want the county to work with all stakeholders to plan for the future of the White Salmon River watershed, to preserve, protect and sustain the web of life in this place: humans, animals, fish, birds, plants, insects – all life.
Only attorneys and the judges will be speaking. There is no public input at this hearing, just public presence. Be at the school by 9:30 to make your way through. We plan to meet at the park and ride by the HR bridge at 7:30AM. There is a van available and people willing to carpool, so please contact:
dottie@friendsofthewhitesalmon.org (208-867-9849) for transportation information
Join us on October 5th for a slow-paced trip through the old lake bed and dam site to the Columbia. With luck, we’ll see salmon and steelhead swimming in some shallow portions of the river, and spawning beds (redds) for the Fall Chinook. Knowledgeable guides from Zoller’s will fill us in on the natural history.
“It’s like having our very own science project in our front yard,” said Mark Zoller, 29 year White Salmon River guide. “We have such a special opportunity to watch nature re-claim and heal itself over the next several years. I’m amazed, as is everyone at how quickly the river hastaken control and is proceeding to repair 100 years of blockage.“
We will experience breath-taking scenery, some fun rapids (Class III), float past the site of Condit Dam, and pass through the Narrows.
There is an approximately 200-yard portage around one impassable ‘keeper’ pool. If you are concerned about how strenuous this portage is, please contact Zollers.
To reserve your seat, call Zoller’s Outdoor Odysseys directly at 509-493-2641.
In addition to warm weather, summer also brings the White Salmon Riverfest & Symposium to our community each year. Scheduled this summer for Wednesday July 10th, Husum will be bustling with activities with something for everyone all day long.
The event kicks off with the incredibly popular annual community float. This affordable, $20 raft trip is designed for the local community to enjoy the river together. If you have not had that opportunity before, this fun event is a great way to see why the New York Times mentioned this river as one of 4 “must do’s” in the country for 2013.
Reservations for the rafting trip can be made by phone (800.306.1673 / 509.493.8989) or online at www.wetplanetwhitewater.com . Please note, the trip is intended for folks who live in the area, in the White Salmon valley or the extended Gorge communities. “We care about the White Salmon River, and appreciate being able to take visitors and neighbors rafting and kayaking every day. It always surprises us how many folks in the area have never been out on the river, so we love creating this opportunity each year to share it in an affordable way with community members who don’t get a chance to get out on the river as much as we do,” says Wet Planet owner Todd Collins, who is also on the Husum – BZ Community Council.
After the rafting trip, rafters and event attendees are invited to grab lunch by the newest eatery in Husum, Big Man’s Rotisserie. For the occasion, the Big Man’s grill will be stationed at the parking lot of the Husum Fire Hall, welcoming people to the afternoon’s Symposium.
After the community float, the White Salmon River Symposium agenda offers an exciting list of current and relevant topics that have been on many a river user’s mind ever since Condit Dam came out. “The landscape of the White Salmon River has changed, and we hope to provide information on current issues for river users and landowners that pertain to the river and its resources,” says Jeanette Burkhart, organizer of this year’s symposium.
The topics, presented by regional experts, include a “state of the river” overview; conservation resources available to landowners; the threat, identification, and prevention of the spread of aquatic invasive species; watershed stewardship; Fish resources: an update and what to expect. A moderated discussion will follow with a panel of river-related specialists, who will wrestle with the benefits and challenges of wood in the river. Additional sub basin and river-related information will be provided by organizations at table displays. Washington State Dept. of Fish & Wildlife staff will hold two demonstrations on how to decontaminate a water craft (using a boat-washing station outside the fire hall) in order to prevent the introduction or spread of aquatic invasive species, which could threaten the economic and ecological vitality of the river. Raffle drawings will be held in between talks, and visitors will have opportunities to interact with presenters and panelists.
Following the symposium, it’s time to get out on the river again for the Social Paddle & Trash Bash. The Wednesday Evening Social Paddle, organized each week by Luke Maddox with the Kayak Shed, is joining forces with local raft guides lead by Zoller guide Ben Kofoed for a River Clean Up. Paddlers are challenged to pick up as much trash as possible, and prices will be given for the most and/or funniest river trash collected.
After a great day of varied activities, the party will move to the Husum River Side B&B and Ice House Café. The river community will be able to grab a slice of pizza by Solstice, and a beverage at the bar. This will also be a great opportunity to watch OPB’s documentary about the White Salmon River, created by Andy Maser. As of 8.30 PM, local band The Shed Shakers will be filling a packed dance floor.
For more information about the White Salmon Riverfest & Symposium: contact jaco@wetplanetwhitewater.com, www.wetplanetwhitewater.com, or call 509.493.8989.
