As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) this year, our core bird protection law is facing its most serious threat in a century of existence. Last month, the Trump administration released a legal opinion that it now interprets MBTA to only cover hunting and will no longer enforce incidental [...]
The Conservation Column By Pepper Trail The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) is the world’s most comprehensive law protecting birds. Enacted in 1918 and revised several times since, it covers all North American native bird species with the exception of upland game birds (turkeys, grouse, and quail), making it illegal for anyone to [...]
The October 2017 Conservation Column by Pepper Trail We Learn a Little More about the Trump Administration’s Monument Plans On Sept. 17, the Washington Post published a leaked copy of the text of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s “Final Report Summarizing Findings of the Review of Designations Under the Antiquities Act.” This was provided to the [...]
The Fate of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument This month’s Chat is coming out a few days late because we wanted to wait for the announcement regarding the results of the Trump Administration’s review of national monuments designated under the Antiquities Act – including, of course, our own Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. The recommendations from Interior Secretary [...]
A request from the Oregon Conservation Network Director and the Rogue Valley Audubon Conservation Committee We need our legislators to pass bonding on the Elliott State Forest. And we only have 18 days left. Tell your legislator you support bonding for the Elliott! In May, the State Land Board – Governor Brown, Treasurer Read, Secretary Richardson [...]
May 2017 Conservation Column By Pepper Trail 2017 Applegate Oak Restoration Project The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), as part of their on-going efforts to implement the Oregon Conservation Strategy, has identified a project to restore fire to approximately 120 acres of Oak Woodland and mixed conifer habitat in the Applegate Wildlife Management [...]
June 2017 Conservation Column By Pepper Trail The torrent of terrible environmental actions out of the Trump Administration continues, with almost daily assaults on climate change science, public land stewardship, and pollution regulations. In this column, we will focus on only one piece of bad news – Trump’s attack on national monuments. But to prevent [...]
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, as part of their on-going efforts to implement the Oregon Conservation Strategy, has identified a project to restore fire to approximately 120 acres of Oak Woodland and mixed conifer habitat in the Applegate Wildlife Management Unit. Following the presentation by Steve Niemela of ODFW at our members’ meeting [...]
Good News on the Elliott State Forest As most of you know, The Oregon State Land Board is considering selling Oregon’s oldest State Forest to a timber company. Oregon law requires lands such as the Elliott to generate revenue for the Common School Fund. Since it is no longer turning a profit, the Elliott has [...]
