Salem-News.com Environment articles

Four Public Hearings to be Held on Oregon Beach Smoking Ban

Education about the new rule is taking place through 2014, and enforcement will begin in 2015.

(SALEM, Ore. ) - Proposed rules that would restrict smoking of tobacco products on the ocean shore recreation area will be open for public comment through August 29.

Citing environmental issues as a primary concern - plastic cigarette butts can persist for years, even in the harsh beach environment - the commission approved a staff request to consider a smoking rule for the ocean shore.

Thousands of Dead Anchovies Could Cause a Smelly Problem for Seaside

Officials say that while this may not seem like a good thing, it is a good sign that anchovies along the Oregon coast are doing very well.

(SEASIDE, Ore. ) - Thousands of dead anchovies could cause a fowl smell in the coming days in the popular Oregon coastal town of Seaside.

That is because, this year there has been an unusually large run of the Northern Anchovy from the Pacific Ocean, which has caused oxygen levels in the Necanicum River to deplete enough to kill the fish.

Wasps, Squirrels Damaging Oregon White Oak Trees

"The damage to these trees seems to be common around the Willamette Valley," says ODF Forest Pathologist Alan Kanaskie.

(SALEM, Ore. ) - Recently, stewardship foresters with the Oregon Department of Forestry have been receiving phone calls from landowners, homeowners and other members of the public concerned about the appearance of numerous dead branches and leaves on Oregon white oak trees.

Investigation by agency foresters resulted in the discovery that the damage is being caused by both insects and mammals.

Organic Foods Have More Nutritional Benefits; Less Chemical Pesticides

The researchers also found pesticide residues were three to four times more likely in conventional foods than organic ones.

(PULLMAN, Wash.) - The largest study of its kind has found that organic foods and crops have a suite of advantages over their conventional counterparts, including more antioxidants and fewer, less frequent pesticide residues.

The study looked at an unprecedented 343 peer-reviewed publications comparing the nutritional quality and safety of organic and conventional plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables and grains.

Lead Bullets, Fishing Gear Killing 120 Different Bird Species in North America

Researchers looked at copper bullets as one less-toxic alternative to lead and notes that they generally work well in modern firearms commonly used for big game hunting.

(CORVALLIS, Ore. ) - The ingestion of lead ammunition and lead fishing tackle accounts for illness and mortality in more than 120 different species of birds in North America, according to a newly published review of scientific studies on the issue.

Oregon Senators Push Congress for Additional Funding to Fight Western U.S. Wildfires

Figures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior show that this year’s fire season is already projected to exceed the current budget by $615 million.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have called on Congress to pass a proposal from the White House to provide additional fire funding to treat the catastrophic wildfires already raging in states across the western United States.

President Obama on Tuesday, asked Congress to include an additional $615 million dedicated to wildfire suppression costs as part of an emergency spending request.

Purple Sails Washing Ashore Along Oregon Coast After 10 Year Absence

Purple Sails have a clear 'sail' that catches the wind and pushes them across the ocean’s surface.

(SEASIDE, Ore. ) - Something that hasn't been seen for a while on Oregon beaches has returned – almost as mysteriously as it disappeared ten years ago.

The Purple Sails are back, cast up on the beaches in various areas and getting ready to wear out their initially lovely little welcome as they start to rot and stink.

Greenland Ice Sheet Collapse Began 400,000 Years Ago

A period known as the Marine Isotope Stage 11 resulted in a global sea level rise of about 6-13 meters above present time.

(CORVALLIS, Ore. ) - A new study suggests that a warming period more than 400,000 years ago pushed the Greenland ice sheet past its stability threshold, resulting in a nearly complete deglaciation of southern Greenland and raising global sea levels some 4-6 meters.

The study is one of the first to zero in on how the vast Greenland ice sheet responded to warmer temperatures during that period, which were caused by changes in the Earth’s orbit around the sun.

New Pesticide Rule Hopes to Help Oregon Bee Deaths

The temporary rule, which goes into effect immediately, will be enforced for 180 days.

(SALEM, Ore. ) - The Oregon Department of Agriculture is taking additional steps to protect bees and other pollinators from exposure to specific pesticide products following multiple incidents of bee deaths this summer.

In adopting a temporary rule, ODA is prohibiting the use of pesticide products containing the active ingredients dinotefuran and imidacloprid on linden trees or other species of Tilia.

Salem Work Crews to Begin Repairs on Upper Bennett Dam

During construction, the south channel around the island and the boat slide at the dam will be closed.

(STAYTON, Ore. ) - The boat slide at the Upper Bennett Dam will be closed between July 15, and August 30, to allow the City of Salem to make repairs to the Upper Bennett Dam.

During a routine inspection of the Upper Bennett Dam in August 2013, a void area was discovered under the structure that required immediate attention.