This week on Locus Focus we delve into two seemingly unrelated topics that actually have a lot in common: the mass killing of cormorants on East Sand Island in the Columbia River Estuary - in the name of protecting salmon - and the slow and painful (lack of) progress in developing a plan to clean up the Portland Harbor Superfund Site on the Willamette River. Our guest Bob Sallinger, Conservation Director for the Audubon Society of Portland, has been walking point on both these issues.
East Sand Island is a remarkable place. Historically no more than a shifting sandbar, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stabilized the island and used it to deposit dredge spoils from the 1940s into the 1980s. Today the island encompasses nearly 60 acres and is home to an incredible assortment of birds, including the largest breeding colony of Double-crested Cormorants in North America. Now the island is mired in controversy. Studies demonstrate that the cormorants and terns are consuming varying amounts of salmon and steelhead listed under the Endangered Species Act. However, the birds and fish have coexisted since time immemorial. The declines in salmon and steelhead are related to dams, habitat loss and fish hatcheries. We'll talk about why killing cormorants is not a solution to saving salmon runs.
On June 8, 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a draft cleanup plan of the 2000+ acre Portland Harbor Superfund Site. The plan leaves the vast majority of the river contaminated for generations to come. We'll talk with Bob about why it is critical that the public weigh in and let the EPA know that we want OUR River restored to health for people and wildlife and we want polluters held accountable.
Comment on EPA's Proposed Cleanup Plan for the Portland Harbor Superfund Site. Comments must be postmarked by midnight, August 8, 2016.
- KBOO