Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Stabbing may have left victim partially paralyzed ... Medford woman accused of sexually abusing boy ... Jackson County adopts marijuana regulations ... Stabbing may have left victim partially paralyzed ... Medford woman accused of sexually abusing boy ... Jackson County adopts marijuana regulations ... ENVIRONMENT Geos celebrates years of restoring area streams and rivers Comment By John Darling for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 14, 2016 at 2:54 PM Updated Mar 15, 2016 at 9:59 AM By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 14, 2016 at 2:54 PM Updated Mar 15, 2016 at 9:59 AM » Social News Over the past 14 years, the Geos Institute has helped restore natural fish access and habitat to 1,300 miles on the Rogue River and its tributaries. Last week it celebrated the victories along the way by bringing together some of the principals in an event in Ashland. In its $5 million Freeways for Fish Campaign, the nonprofit Geos partnered with agencies, groups and landowners to remove 25 dams, including the sizable Gold Ray Dam, the Wimer and Fielder Dams on Evans Creek, to upgrade or remove ineffective fish ladders and culverts and to rechannel streams that had been poorly altered in the past. “It’s a fantastic accomplishment,” said Cathy Kellon, Working Waters Program director at Geos. "It improved water quality and removed barriers for steelhead and salmon, allowing them to get to their historic habitats. We often hear about stream restoration, but you don’t often see it on this scale, with everyone working together and being able to quantify it at the end." Geos Executive Director Tonya Graham credited the hands-on leadership of Brian Barr, who left a couple years ago to head the Rogue River Watershed Council, for taking on some 1,100 waterway obstacles. Most of the work was funded by federal agencies. “All this restoration can be traced back to Brian, a muddy-boots kind of guy who is never happier than when he’s out there with his boots in the river,” Graham said. Barr allowed he’s “a simple guy who likes to go out to the river and figure out how to fix problems.” The accomplishments of the long and complex project, said Graham, include improving the rivers and streams for fish, providing fresh water for wildlife and birds that live along streams, reducing intense flooding and providing a defense against climate change and drought. As an example of the work, she displayed aerial shots of Little Butte Creek, which had been straightened decades ago to allow flood waters to exit rapidly, but which had become overly sterile by the straight flows of water. The project restored a meander to the stream, slowing down water and allowing sediment to settle out, which benefits fish and water quality. Graham said the lessons from Freeways for Fish helped Geos launch its new Working Waters Initiative, focusing on healthy watersheds that work for nature and people and help prepare for climate change, with expected lower stream flows, warmer water — and increased flooding during wet seasons. Geos board member Stephen Sendar said it’s “a practical application of good science in restoring streams, as well as the connection of human beings to the Earth. Whatever resistance we’ve had to restoring stream flows and wildlife has seen benefits coming back to people.” Geos' partners included the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife — particularly on work in the Denman Wildlife Area — the Environmental Protection Agency, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Bureau of Land Management and WildEarth Guardians. John Darling is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By John Darling for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 14, 2016 at 2:54 PM Updated Mar 15, 2016 at 9:59 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501