By Bob Ferris Would you go to a dentist if you had serious head aches or needed a brain tumor removed? The obvious answer to that is: No, even though both dentists and brain surgeons are highly educated, work on your head and use drills. But that is basically what the Western Mining Alliance and … Continue reading Western Mining Alliance and Brain Surgery by Dentists
GE-Free Seafood Campaign Launched
As part of our effort to stop FDA approval of genetically engineered salmon, we are excited to announce we're part of a new coalition asking grocery stores to keep GE fish off their shelves and our plates by joining the Campaign for GE-Free Seafood. We are asking grocery stores, restaurants, chefs and other food companies … Continue reading GE-Free Seafood Campaign Launched
Press Release: Legislation Introduced to Protect Water Quality and Wild Salmon in Oregon
February 19, 2013 — Local businesses, outdoor enthusiasts, and conservation organizations applaud the recent introduction of Senate Bill 401 by Senator Alan Bates (D-Medford/Ashland) which would protect 30 rivers as State Scenic Waterways in recognition of their outstanding scenic vistas, value to fish and wildlife, and importance as sources of drinking water.
“You Keep Those Damn [Franken]Fish Out Of My Waters”
By Gabriel Scott I’ve read some poorly crafted Environmental Assessments in my time, and seen more than a few ill-considered decisions, but this one might just take the cake. Over the holidays the veterinarians at the Food and Drug Administration decided to approve an application to grow and sell genetically engineered salmon, a King/ Atlantic … Continue reading “You Keep Those Damn [Franken]Fish Out Of My Waters”
General Response to Joe Greene
[Editor's note: When the New 49er's griped about the bias of scientists involved in the public advisory committee for suction dredging in California, the State eventually acquiesced allowed the New 49ers to invite two people with science degrees from their camp. They selected Joe Greene and Claudia Wise retired EPA scientists from Oregon and current … Continue reading General Response to Joe Greene
Dredging Up The Truth
By Bob Ferris With every complicated, science-based issue we seem to tackle, from climate change to wolves and from forestry to diesel particulates, there seems to be a handful of slide-rule era-educated, contrarian scientists who pull themselves up from the depths of retirement to confuse the issue. These self-proclaimed mavens generally have some credentials, but not the … Continue reading Dredging Up The Truth
Suction Dredge Mining in California
Suction dredging emerged as a recreational and economic activity when new technology began allowing miners to reach streambeds in deep rivers to mine for gold. Suction dredging uses a vacuum-like motor to suck up streambed material, which is then sifted through a sluice box for gold. California rivers proved especially lucrative for the so-called “New … Continue reading Suction Dredge Mining in California
Suction Dredging…Sucks
By Bob Ferris My access point to my career in the conservation field came originally from fish. I caught my first trout on the Eel River in northern California while my family was on their way to visit the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle. As we were on our way north, my mother grudgingly … Continue reading Suction Dredging…Sucks
Suction Dredging and High Banking for Gold
What is Suction Dredge Mining and High Banking? Suction dredging for gold involves the disruption of compacted stream beds and underwater gravel deposits by dislodging materials and sucking them through a tube attached to a gasoline-powered water pump. The 2-6 inch tubes employed by recreational suction dredgers act like underwater vacuums. The resulting silt and … Continue reading Suction Dredging and High Banking for Gold