PUR fect

The Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers Logo just arrived in my e-mailbox. This group is very influential in developing actions that extend the domain of salmonid fish by bringing together diverse interests. With seventeen directors operating in a consensus process, this watershed council puts it's money into the stream - culvert replacements, riparian habitat restoration, water quality monitoring, etc.

As one of the directors, Doctor Lenny represents conservation science at the table. By donating time to the development of social equity in land management at all scales, our watershed council has forged a means for allocating tightly controlled resources effectively. The depth of the partnership, including tribes, municipalities, agriculture, timber, mining, conservation districts, state & federal agencies and recreation require that every action be vetted through multiple filters. And every filter has veto power.

Every member of the organization is encouraged to bring issues of concern and the net desired effect is that fish populations should return to population levels that encourage harvest without threatening extinction. All we can do is all we can do - and ocean conditions play a major role - but effective land management requires interested parties working on significant fish-centric issues. So my hat goes off to the other 16 directors and the staff and membership on a job well done. So far. Life is only beginning.