Oregon Parks and Recreation Department News Release

Release Date:   March 21, 2012

Contact:    Chris Havel, Associate Director Communications                    

503-986-0722 (Office)

503-931-2590 (Mobile)

Robert J. Smith, Beach Safety Coordinator

503-986-0665 (Office)

Oregon State Parks reminds you to play it safe during Spring Break

Spring break is just around the corner and the beach is beckoning many Oregonians to come play. Spring Whale Watch Week (March 24–31), the Great Oregon Spring Beach Cleanup (March 31) and discounted camping rates make spring break a popular time to visit the coast. Visitors are reminded to play it safe at the beach and to keep an eye on the ocean.  

“The wild weather that we’ve experienced recently is a reminder that March is ‘Beach Safety Awareness Month’ for a good reason,” said Robert Smith, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) beach safety coordinator. “It’s the most dangerous month on the coast. The combination of powerful seas and eager visitors has historically added up to more rescues and deaths than in any other month,” Smith noted. “Anyone responsible for the safety of children should watch them at all times, and make sure they’re wearing life jackets,” he added.

Having fun and staying safe is the most important part of any successful trip, but saving money is always a benefit. Whether you’re planning an overnight vacation or just a day trip – savings are available throughout the discovery season. Standard camping sites are discounted $4 – 5 per night and deluxe yurts/cabins are discounted as much as $20 per night. Visitors can buy 12 or 24-month day-use parking permits at a variety of locations around the state, including most major park offices. Or call the Oregon State Parks information center at 1-800-551-6949. The 12-month permit is $30, and is discounted once a year, in December, when it sells for $25. The 24-month permit is always a bargain at $50.

Knowing what the hazards are before you go can help you avoid getting caught in a dangerous situation. Safety tips including what to do if you get caught in a riptide and awareness information about other potential hazards such as floating logs and sneaker waves are found on the OPRD Oregon Beach Safety website (http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/PARKS/beach_safety.shtml).

Strong fall chinook returns expected for Columbia River

July 27, 2011

CLACKAMAS, Ore. – Columbia River fisheries managers are expecting the largest return of fall chinook salmon since 2004 to begin arriving when the fall fishing season gets under way Aug. 1.

Fisheries managers are forecasting a return of 766,000 adult fall chinook this year, which is even larger than last year’s strong return of 657,000 fish. If the run materializes as expected, it would be the largest total fall chinook return since 800,000 fish returned in 2004. Nearly 500,000 of the total are expected to be mid- and upriver bright salmon, which are highly prized by anglers because they are big, bite and fight hard and are high in food quality.

“For the angler in the know, mid- and upriver brights are what they’re looking for,” said John North, manager of ODFW’s Ocean Salmon and Columbia River Program. “They’re the most desired fish of the fall run because of their size and table fare.”

Coho returns are expected to be poorer this year, at about half of the 2001-2010 average, with a forecast return of 270,800 fish.

Columbia River fisheries are managed to quotas based on Endangered Species Act (ESA) limitations on wild fish, according to North. The flexible nature of these fisheries, he said, allows managers to maximize fishing opportunities under the ESA. However, it also means that regulation changes and season modifications can happen quickly based on actual returns and harvest rates.

Because fisheries are managed to specific harvest guidelines for key fish stocks, emergency in-season closures can occur if these guidelines are met. Anglers are therefore advised to stay tuned for changes that can take place as new information becomes available. Updates can be found on the ODFW website at www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/fishing/reg changes/columbia.asp. ODFW also distributes all in-season changes through the news media and through social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

The 2011 fall seasons and regulations were established based on extensive deliberations between state and federal agencies, tribal representatives, and recreational and commercial fishers through a public forum known as the “North of Falcon” process, which takes place each spring. Season regulations vary by area, date, and species, and are summarized by fishing area below.

2011 Columbia River fall salmon and steelhead seasons

Buoy 10 upstream to Tongue Point

• Aug. 1 – Aug. 28:
  • Open for adult chinook (>24”; fin-clipped or not), adipose fin-clipped steelhead, and adipose fin-clipped adult coho (>16”).
  • Daily bag limit is two adult salmon/steelhead in combination, of which only one may be a chinook. Jacks (coho or chinook) may not be retained.
• Aug. 29 – Sep. 30:
  • Closed for chinook. Open for adipose fin-clipped steelhead and adipose fin-clipped adult coho (>16”).
  • Daily bag limit is two adipose fin-clipped adult coho/steelhead in combination. Jacks may not be retained.
• Oct. 1 – Dec. 31:
  • Open for chinook (adults and jacks; fin-clipped or not), adipose fin-clipped steelhead, and adipose fin-clipped coho (adults and jacks).
  • Daily bag limit is two adult salmon/steelhead in combination, and may include up to two chinook. Jack chinook and adipose fin-clipped jack coho may be retained with a daily bag limit of five jacks in addition to the adult daily bag limit.

Tongue Point upstream to a line projected from Warrior rock Lighthouse on the Oregon shore to Red Buoy #4 to the orange marker atop the piling near the lower end of Bachelor Island, Washington

• Aug. 1 – Sept. 9:
  • Open for chinook (adults and jacks, fin-clipped or not), adipose fin-clipped coho (adults and jacks), and adipose fin-clipped steelhead.
  • Daily adult fish bag limit is two adult salmon/steelhead in combination, of which only one may be a chinook. Jack chinook and adipose fin-clipped jack coho may be retained with a daily bag limit of five jacks in addition to the adult daily bag limit.
• Sept. 10 – Sept. 30:
  • Closed for chinook (adults and jacks). Open for adipose fin-clipped coho and adipose fin-clipped steelhead.
  • Daily adult fish bag limit is two adult coho/steelhead in combination. Adipose fin-clipped jack coho may be retained with a daily bag limit of five jacks in addition to the adult daily coho/steelhead bag limit.
• Oct. 1 – Dec. 31:
  • Open for chinook (adults and jacks, fin-clipped or not), adipose fin-clipped coho (adults and jacks), and adipose fin-clipped steelhead.
  • Daily bag limit is two adult salmon/steelhead in combination, and may include up to two chinook. Jack chinook and adipose fin-clipped jack coho may be retained with a daily bag limit of five jacks in addition to the adult daily bag limit.

From a line projected from Warrior Rock Lighthouse on the Oregon shore to Red Buoy #4 to the orange marker atop the piling near the lower end of Bachelor Island, Washington upstream to Bonneville Dam

• Open for chinook (adults and jacks; fin-clipped or not), adipose fin-clipped coho, and adipose fin-clipped steelhead Aug. 1 – Dec. 31:
  • From Aug. 1 – Sept. 9, the daily bag limit is two adult salmon/steelhead in combination, of which only 1 may be a chinook, and five jacks.
  • From Sept. 10 – Dec. 31, the daily bag limit is two adult salmon/steelhead in combination, which may include up to two chinook, and five jacks.

Bonneville Dam upstream to Oregon/Washington Border

• Open for chinook (adults and jacks; fin-clipped or not), coho, and adipose fin-clipped steelhead Aug. 1 – Dec. 31.
  • Coho (adults and jacks) must be adipose fin-clipped if kept downstream of the Hood River bridge.

Daily bag limit is two adult salmon/steelhead in combination, which may include up to two chinook, and five jacks.

Beaver Hill Productions was started by Wayne Van Burger and Travis Cooper to produce an adventure TV series with Cooper’s talent for cinema and Wayne’s love of the outdoors.

For Van Burger, who hosts the series, “We were just ecstatic to get the program on TV in the first place. Three nominations right out of the gate is simply above and beyond anything we expected.”

The nominations include outstanding achievement for a sports program series for Beaver Hill and two more for Cooper in program editing and photography.

Cooper wanted to give audiences a more intimate fishing experience with a cinematic flare. “We had to fight a hundred billion mosquitos, keep hungry sea-lions at bay and contend with a twelve foot sturgeon. It was all worth it and we’re very proud to be representing Southern Oregon,”  he said.

Television viewers in the Pacific Northwest and nationwide can see The Joy of Fishing, now airing in High Definition on ROOT Sports (formerly FSN Northwest) Sunday Mornings at 9:30 and Wednesdays at noon.

The first season of The Joy of Fishing includes expeditions in Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Russia.

Viewers can visit their website to watch complete episodes.

Beaver Creek State Natural Area opened October 1, 2010 – 374 acres of wetland, forest and meadows, including a quiet creek that is a paddler’s dream. The state bought the property for the Beaver Creek site – 7 miles south of Newport – using Oregon Lottery funds earmarked for land acquisition. Seven miles of boat-accessible hiking trails through meadows and forest of old growth Sitka spruce, culminating at the top of a knoll with views of the ocean. The visitor center will be accessible by land or water, offering maps, photos and information about the wildlife in the area.

Gold Beach/Pistol River ‘Wave Bash’ event – came back with a huge splash in June 2010 after 10 year hiatus. Made top 3 windsurfing magazines in US & UK; rated Pistol River (just south of Gold Beach) as “ONE OF THE TOP 5 SPOTS IN THE WORLD” for windsurfing/windsailing.  This event drew ‘Best in the World’ competitors from Hawaii, Mexico, New Zealand, Hood River.  The 2011 Wave Bash is scheduled for June 2011.

Historic Restoration Heceta Lighthouse – July 2011 – Closing the lighthouse to do full restoration, rebuilding the trail and parking lot.  Restoring the historic stone wall; Cape Perpetua to Sea Lions Cave section of Hwy 101 nominated as National Historic Highway.  Project will include real-time videos for people to watch what is going on.

National Air Quality Control Center is located in Port Orford.  The clean air on Oregon’s south coast sets the US national standard.  The air quality in New York, or anywhere else in the country, is measured by comparison to the air in Port Orford.

For more information please contact Lucy Gibson

Public Relations Director

Lucy@ThePeoplesCoast.com or 888-628-2101

Local businessman David Posalski is hoping to make the local winter tourism market blossom by focusing on the excitement of the area’s winter storms.

“Everyone wants a little adventure,” Posalski said about Oregon Storm Tours, his new storm watching business.

The ocean storm watching packages are designed for small groups – between two to four people. And, Posalski is ready to customize any tour, depending on what the group is interested in.

Among the popular local destinations are wildlife ventures, historical tours, antique hideouts or other natural wonders on the North Coast.

“Our tours are designed for small groups so we can offer that custom tour experience,” he said. “We cater to what you want in an Oregon Coast experience. We want to get you out to where you can feel Mother Nature in all her power.”

The tours will also provide an up-close look at previous storms and visits to local beaches and headlands.

Popular destinations include the Del Ray Beach, Sunset Beach, the Seaside Salt Works, Indian Beach, Fort Clatsop and the historic Astoria column.

Adventuring souls can schedule either a half-day event starting at 9 a.m. or 1 p.m. or an all-day excursion from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both the half-day and daylong tours include lunch.

Tours are inside a four-wheel drive pickup that Posalski said can easily accommodates two to four people.

“It is a great way to see the North Coast,” he said. “My goal is for Seaside to become a winter destination just like we are in the summer.”

An Oregon physician and her boyfriend took the inaugural Oregon Storm Tour two weeks ago.

“Their comment was it was the least touristy tour they have ever gone on,” he said about the adventure, which included a drive along De Ray beach, Sunset Beach, climbing the historical column in Astoria along with a trip to the south Getty near Fort Stevens.

Originally from Southern California, Posalski moved to the area 11 years ago and was in the insurance business. Leaning on his degree in finance and with a keen eye in marketing, Posalski opened the Tsunami Sandwich Shop on Broadway near the turnaround in February.

Posalski will be focusing on four Ps of marketing – product, price, promotion and place when developing the winter storm watch project.

“If you take any idea and properly apply the four Ps, you can make any idea work,” he said. “For most people, it is a lack of marketing.”

By using proper marketing keys and building relationships with fellow businesses in Seaside and other communities, Posalski believes the storm watching could be a big business to the area.

“Within three or four years, it could make a big impact,” he said. “If we can double the winter occupancy and double the dollars coming in to town.”

While the tours are designed to boost his sandwich business, he believes the winter storm project will help all Seaside businesses beat the winter slow down.

“We get local motels calling us and asking, ‘It’s raining and we have guests who want to know what to do,’” he said. “This will be an adventure, an experience of more than just walking the downtown streets.”

Oregon Storm Tours is licensed with the city. Larger tour groups are available with advanced notice.

For additional information on Ocean Storm Tours, contact Posalski at (503) 536-5396 or go to oregonstormtours.com.

By Rosemary Dellinger for the Seaside Signal.  Find original post here.

Oregon Coast Facts of Interest sheet offers you a wonderful overview of what the beautiful Oregon coast has to offer.

OKTOBERFEST IN BROOKINGS
October 6-10, 2010

Brookings is celebrating the 200th Anniversary of Oktoberfest with five full days of fun activities. The action will include a German Film Festival, a concert of German music, and will culminate with the wedding celebration that was the genesis of Oktoberfest in 1810. This privately organized festival will allow the public to experience the fun and beauty of the traditional Munich festival somewhat closer to home.

German Film Festival
Festivities will begin on Wednesday, October 6, 2 PM, with the opening of the German Film Festival at the Redwood Cinema, 621 Chetco Avenue, Brookings. Three German films will be shown each day, at 2 PM, 5 PM, and 8 PM, with an extra screening at 11 PM on Friday, October 8. Most films will be introduced by Lon Goddard, who will put the films in the context of history, society, and the German film industry.

Tickets for individual films are $5.50. Any three entries are available for $15, and an individual Festival Ticket for all 16 films is $60. For more information, go to: www.redwoodtheater.com/filmfest/index.htm.

Concert of German Music
A concert of German music is scheduled for Thursday, October 7, 7 PM, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1200 Easy Street. Familiar German classical composers will be presented by local musicians and vocalists, along with rollicking folksongs sung by the Brookings Chorale, directed by Russ Oelheim, and perhaps a yodel or two.

This concert, organized by concert pianist Christy Dolan, is free to the public, with donations requested.

Royal Oktoberfest Wedding
Most people don’t know that Oktoberfest actually began in the year 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Prinz Ludwig of Bavaria and Prinzess Therese of Saxony. The entire city of Munich was invited to the festivities, which took place on a large meadow, where Oktoberfest is still celebrated today. Brookings will recreate this royal wedding on Saturday, October 9, at 11 AM in Azalea Park, and everyone is invited to join the Wedding Procession. Please wear a Dirndl or Lederhosen if at all possible!

Guests will gather at 11 AM on the lawn in front of the Bandshell Stage in Azalea Park. The Prinz and Prinzess, King Maximilian (Ludwig’s father), and the Monk of Munich will be introduced, and lively music will be provided by Carl Rovainenâ’s Bookdock Band. The crowd will then follow the bridal pair around Azalea Park to the Capella, where the actual wedding ceremony will occur. Music will be provided by tenor Cy Vandemeer and pianist Gerry Moffit. Reserved seating inside the Capella, limited to 40 people, is available for $20 in advance. For tickets, please call 707-487-6309.

Oktoberfest Garten
After the wedding ceremony, the entire procession, led by trumpeter Jef Hatch and international flagbearers, will walk to Art Walk Alley for the actual Oktoberfest. This tiny alley, just off Chetco Avenue between Oak and Willow Streets, will be decorated like a German village, with flags, flower boxes, and street vendors. Traditional German Bratwurst and Bier will be prepared by George Rhodes, chef of the Art Alley Grille, on Saturday and Sunday, October 9 and 10, from Noon to 5 PM. Oompah bands will be conducted by Karen Warwick and Carl Rovainen. Art Walk Alley will be the heart of the Brookings Oktoberfest, with games for all ages conducted by Don Meier and dancing from one end to the other.

Art Exhibits
The Brookings Oktoberfest will be on the same weekend as the monthly Second Saturday Brookings Art Walk, 4 to 7 PM. Brian Scott Gallery, 515 Chetco Avenue, will feature paintings of German subjects by local artists, as will the Manley Art Center, 433 Oak Street. The Chetco Community Library, 405 Alder Street, will present an exhibit beer steins. A walking tour through the various Art Walk venues will be conducted by Pete Chesar starting from the Manley Art Center at 4 PM.

Culinary Delights
C&K Markets will work with the Brookings-Harbor High School students to offer the traditional, heart-shaped Oktoberfest cookies that are worn around the neck like a big necklace. Rayâ’s Food Place, corner of Chetco and 5th Street) will also have their outdoor barbeque fired up. MoVino Wine Bar, 625 Chetco Avenue, will offer select German wines for tasting on Saturday, 3 PM to 8 PM. Bakery By the Sea, 1105 Chetco Avenue, #A, will prepare authentic German and Austrian pastries.

More Information
For more information, go to: brookings-oktoberfest.info, or call Leslie Wolf, 541-412-8707.

Six guests were selected by the show producers, along with Travel Oregon’s recommendations, to showcase different aspects of Oregon (recreation, history, our culinary scene, and of course, the Coast. The guest were interviewed by Mr. Greenberg for a total of six minutes each.  One of the featured guests was Terry Richard, travel writer from The Oregonian and OregonLive.com (pictured with Peter Greenberg).

Peter Greenberg is America’s most recognized, honored and respected front-line travel news journalist. He is travel editor for CBS News and regularly appears on The Early Show and across many CBS broadcast platforms. He also produces and hosts a weekly travel radio show, Peter Greenberg Worldwide, on Sirius satellite radio and on over 400 stand alone radio stations.

Other statistics about Peter Greenberg Worldwide:

• More than three million listeners (domestic and international) to the radio show
• Newsletter reaches over 20,000 a month and counting
• Website visits are 120,000 and climbing

Mr. Greenberg often cross-promotes on the Early Show (CBS) and through his column in AARP magazine, which reaches over 23 million subscribers.

Since 1967, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has closed the 18 miles of beaches north of Tillamook Head. For many years the closure went from July 15 to Aug. 31, but in 1997 it was extended to Sept. 30. The closure is to ensure that young, newly-set clams can establish themselves on the beach.

“We want to protect the next generation of clams on the Clatsop beaches,” said Matthew Hunter, ODFW’s Shellfish and Estuary Project Leader. “These beaches are the most productive razor clam beaches in the state, accounting for more than 90 percent of the total harvest.”

But even after 43 years some clam diggers still show up hoping to get a limit of razors, Hunter said. “Usually the first tide series or two after the closure we will see people who don’t understand why there isn’t anyone else harvesting clams. I know OSP (Oregon State Police) has pretty much found they are guaranteed to write tickets for illegal harvest every low-tide series during the closure.”

This period is a busy one for ODFW shellfish biologists who conduct razor clam stock assessments to determine the health of the population.

Normally diggers could dig at other state beaches during the Clatsop conservation closure, but, after testing by the Oregon Department of Agriculture, ODFW closed all recreational razor clam harvesting from Coos Bay to Tillamook Head due to elevated levels of domoic acid.

The Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex (NWRC) combines spectacular scenery and wildlife viewing woven into one of the most popular tourist travel routes in the Western United States. This creates an ideal venue for developing volunteer interpretation and outreach programs adjacent to many overlook areas, roadside pull-offs, and beach trails. Grafe has led the effort to staff these sites with trained volunteers that educate the visiting public about the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Oregon Coast NWRC, local wildlife and habitats, and wildlife-specific issues unique to their assigned location. She also ensures that the volunteers are connected with other local contacts including State Parks staff and volunteers, Refuge Friends Groups, and City staff.

In 2009 and 2010, Grafe worked with Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation to expand the refuge’s volunteer interpreter program to include additional interpretive sites and secure RV sites for resident volunteers. The Refuge now has volunteers at many of the major coastal overlook sites along the Oregon Coast and they stay comfortably nearby in their own RV’s at Cannon Beach, Cape Meares, Yaquina Head, Heceta Head, Simpson Reef ,Coquille Point, and Harris Beach. Grafe also helps coordinate local volunteers to control invasive plant species, maintain public use facilities and lead environmental education field trips.

“Dawn is a talented, enthusiastic and dedicated person”, said Roy W. Lowe, Project Leader for the Oregon Coast Refuge Complex. “Since joining our staff in 2001, Dawn has built up fledgling public use and volunteer programs to levels that are now being recognized nationally, and her award is well deserved”, said Lowe. Grafe will receive her award during the Take Pride in America award ceremony in the main building of Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C. on July 16th.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 150-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 552 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resources offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign and Native American tribal governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.

Story courtesy of Roy W. Lowe, Project Leader & Photo by Roberta Guarino