Hands Across the Sand at Neptune State Park. Photo by Gus Gates, Oregon Surfrider.
If you missed the weekend protest against offshore oil and gas drilling, here’s a way to experience it on your computer.
We’re getting video and photos from some of the Hands Across the Sand events in Oregon. There were 17 of these gatherings in Oregon on Saturday, part of a national movement to draw attention to the dangers of offshore drilling, and to promote clean and renewable energy.
Hundreds of Oregonians, maybe thousands, will join hands tomorrow to send a message about offshore oil drilling.
It’s called Hands Across The Sand. More than a dozen events are planned across the state.
With words like “disaster” and “offensive”, it’s not hard to see what Northwest environmental groups think about President Obama’s plan to expand offshore oil drilling.
Governor Kulongoski even had something to say, although it’s hard to tell from the press release if he thinks this is a good or bad idea.
SALMON KILLING PESTICIDES
NOAA is calling for some pretty tough restrictions on three commonly used pesticides, diazonin, malathion, and chlorpyrifos.
The report, officially known as a Biological Opinion, says these three chemicals can damage or even kill salmon. It describes them a threat to 27 species of threatened and endangered salmon on the west coast.
So what can be done about this?
NOAA says farmers who use these pesticides shouldn’t be allowed to apply them near salmon streams. The report calls for buffer zones of 1000 feet for aerial spraying and 500 feet when these pesticides are applied on the ground. Other restrictions include not applying them during windy conditions, or when a storm is in the forecast. The rain could wash the freshly applied pesticides into the streams.
The report says the chemicals hurt salmon by impairing their sense of smell, making it harder for them to catch prey. It says the pesticides also reduce populations of small fish and insects that salmon eat. And if concentrations are high enough, the three pesticides are outright salmon killers.
For now, these are only recommendations. The Environmental Protection Agency asked for NOAA’s advice as it looks at new restrictions on the use of these pesticides. NOAA says this is only the first in a series of Biological Opinions it will forward to the EPA in the next three years.
No word on when the EPA will issue its final ruling.
2 OCEAN RESERVES FOR OREGON?
A state panel is calling on Governor Kulongoski to establish two ocean reserves, one near Depoe Bay and the other near Port Orford.
Ocean reserves are “fishing free” zones that are set aside as refuges for marine life and areas for scientific research.
The Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) received about 20 proposals for these marine parks, but after a series of public hearings whittled them down to just two. Four other sites were forwarded to the Governor as worthy of further study.
This has been one of the most controversial issues along the coast since Governor K proposed establishing the zones back in 2000. Fishermen are worried that they’ll be kept out from some of their best fishing spots. The pressure was made more intense because they may also be losing other fishing areas to wave and wind energy farms.
Supporters argue that marine reserves can actually boost fishing stocks and note that Washington and California already have similar zones. Our Ocean, a group that has advocated for the ocean reserves, says these recommendations are a “strong first step.” But it adds that a system of nine reserves is what’s really needed.
No word yet on what the Governor will do with these proposals. The Oregon legislature has the final word.
