Category Archives: Columbia Insight

Massive new power corridor proposed for central Oregon

The federal plan could boost renewable energy generation across central and eastern Oregon. But there’s a November catch. Powerful idea: The West needs more efficient electricity distribution. The government has a plan. The U.S. Department of Energy is proposing to designate a new “national interest” transmission corridor in an area that stretches from central and […]
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Amid drought, Oregon’s new water ‘strategy’ is light on strategy

“We are not currently meeting Oregon’s water needs.” That’s how the state of Oregon 2024 draft Integrated Water Resources Strategy begins. The report’s message is clear — Oregon is facing water scarcity challenges. Stream flows are declining, groundwater in some areas is dwindling and contamination is jeopardizing other water resources. Source: Amid drought, Oregon’s new […]
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Controversial retrofit of Wallowa Lake Dam would eliminate fish passages

Enviros, Nez Perce and Umatilla Tribes have filed a motion to suspend the implementation of a new Oregon rule they say harms salmon. In November 2023, an unpopular, “last-minute” revision to Oregon’s Fish Passage Rules jumped from the realm of legal speculation and into the real world with the official filing of documents with the […]
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As tree species face decline, ‘assisted migration’ gains popularity in Pacific Northwest

As native trees in the Pacific Northwest die off due to climate changes, the U.S. Forest Service, Portland, Oregon and citizen groups around Puget Sound are turning to a deceptively simple climate adaptation strategy called “assisted migration.” As the world’s climate warms, tree growing ranges in the Northern Hemisphere are predicted to move farther north […]
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Extreme heat represents a new threat to trees and plants in the Pacific Northwest 

From June 25 to July 2, 2021, the Pacific Northwest experienced a record-breaking heat wave that sent the normally temperate region into Death Valley-like extremes that took a heavy toll on trees as well as people. Source: Extreme heat represents a new threat to trees and plants in the Pacific Northwest – KTVZ

Climate change is hastening the demise of Pacific Northwest forests

Deep inside a forest in Oregon’s Willamette Valley stands a dead “Tree of Life.” Its foliage, normally soft and green, is tough and brown or missing altogether. Nonetheless, the tree’s reddish bark, swooping branches and thick, conical base identify it as the Pacific Northwest’s iconic western red cedar. Source: Climate change is hastening the demise […]
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UPDATE: ODFW Commission sued over salmon policy change

Last week we reported on a chorus of objections to a recent policy change by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife that changed the state’s definition of “fish passage.” Now the issue is heating up. On Tuesday, a group of seven environmental organizations and the Nez Perce Tribe filed a lawsuit related to the […]
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Wildlife poaching update: Bite follows bark

We asked then if the poachers had received a harsh enough punishment—six days in jail for the main perpetrator and a combined $2,500 fine. That story was framed in the context of a May 2022 story in which we reported on Oregon’s announcement that it was planning to get tougher on wildlife poaching, in part […]
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State of Oregon keeps reasons for salmon policy change under wraps

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Oregon Department of Justice are refusing to release the full list of public documents related to recent revisions to Oregon’s Fish Passage Law. Part of a larger rule-making process, the revisions concern how fish passages are legally defined. Source: State of Oregon keeps reasons for salmon […]
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Fishy revision to Oregon salmon rules sparks outcry

As last year’s Christmas holiday approached, a last-minute change was made to Oregon fish regulations that critics say nullifies years of work to protect threatened and endangered salmon and steelhead species. The change concerns the definition of fish passages, engineering structures, including fish ladders that allow migrating salmon to voluntarily swim past dams and other […]
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