Habitat Enhancement Highlight: TEP Initiates Knotweed Eradication Program

If Paul Revere had been born in Tillamook County, he'd probably be dashing on his cow across the countryside warning the townsfolk that "knotweed is coming!!!" If you know anything about this creeping noxious weed, the sight of a mere sprig can strike fear in your heart. An invasive creeping perennial, knotweed spreads quickly, forming new colonies from root and stem fragments that rapidly out-compete native flora. Stream corridors are particularly effective at transporting fragments from upstream colonies to downstream gravel bars, floodplains, and riparian areas. Knotweed aggressively colonizes in homogeneous stands up to 15 feet tall, and, over the long term, significantly diminishes water quality and riparian/instream habitats.

Under TEP's new Knotweed Eradication Program, the community will begin strategically targeting knotweed colonies this summer. Work will begin on lands owned by the Oregon Department of Forestry and the Bureau of Land Management, both vital supporters of this watershed-wide effort. Supported by an OWEB "Hire the Fishers" grant, TEP will employ displaced commercial salmon fishermen to complete much of the on-the-ground work. This and other work will be coordinated under a new position that TEP will soon hire.

Read more about more of TEP's Habitat Enhancement projects here.

Education & Outreach Highlight: TEP Welcomes New Water Trail Coordinator

TEP is pleased to welcome Julie Chick as the newest member of our staff. With a BS in Graphic Design, eight years as owner of Nehalem Bay Kayak Company, and a great sense of adventure, Julie is the perfect fit to fill TEP's new Water Trail Coordinator position. Working part time, Julie will lead two committees responsible for developing both a county-wide water trail and a pilot segment (the Nehalem River watershed). Julie's work will begin focused mostly in the Nehalem River watershed, leading the Nehalem Steering Committee though development of a Trail Map & Guidebook. The Committee will also develop an Action Plan to coordinate and fund the implementation of on-the-ground projects like interpretive signage, educational programs, habitat restoration, facilities upgrades, etc. These projects will be ongoing, and TEP hopes to publish the Guidebook and Map in late 2007, early 2008.

TEP welcomes new community members to serve on either the Countywide Water Trail Committee or the Nehalem Steering Committee. Please drop Julie an email if you'd like to learn more about the project.

Research & Monitoring Highlight: Results are in on TEP's Bay Toxics Study

Last spring TEP announced that it was undertaking a "Tillamook Bay Toxics Study" to follow up on a previous study conducted by the State. In July & August, TEP and two partner agencies (DEQ and ODFW) collected clam samples from twenty-five locations in the bay's recreational harvest areas. Samples were then sent to a lab to evaluate parameters such as metals, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB), Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH), chlorinated pesticides, and dioxins. Three locations in the (less disturbed) Netarts Bay were also included in the study to establish baseline levels.

Warm weather and favorable minus tides graced Tillamook Bay for the sampling (a.k.a. clamming), and the intrepid clammers battled knee and even waist deep muck to gather the twenty-eight required samples. TEP sponsored the lab analysis and recently received the results. The most frequently detected metals were aluminum, arsenic, chromium, iron, and nickel, all of which, it is important to note, are naturally occurring. We're very pleased to report that PCBs, PAHs, chlorinated pesticides, and mercury were not detected in any samples. A mildly-toxic form of Dioxin was detected in one sample but at low levels.

The Department of Human Services has determined that none of the pollutants found pose a risk to human health. Following a study in 1999 that left us with some questions, this is great news!! So we'll see you soon on the flats of Tillamook Bay!

Further information about TEP's Research & Monitoring Program can be found on our website.

Local Grant Program Highlight: Kiwanda Educational Learning Program (KELP)

A $1,625 TEP Local Grant recently helped the Nestucca-Neskowin Watershed Council host another season of hands-on tidepool exploration through the popular Kiwanda Educational Learning Program (or KELP). KELP teaches people of all ages about fragile rocky intertidal ecosystems, fostering an appreciation for living organisms that they may have overlooked before. KELP educates the public about the protected Marine Gardens at Cape Kiwanda in Pacific City with spotting scopes, microscopes, and touch tubs that safely display tidepool critters. KELP volunteers move through the rocky intertidal area, identifying the creatures they encounter and teaching participants how to tread lightly as they enjoy exploring one of the natural wonders of the Oregon Coast.

Check out our Local Grant page to learn more about the program and other recipients of TEP's Local Grants.

IN THIS ISSUE: PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Habitat Enhancement Program:
TEP Initiates Knotweed Eradication Program (KEP)

Education & Outreach Program:
TEP Welcomes New Water Trail Coordinator

Research & Monitoring Program:
Results are in on TEP's Bay Toxics Study

Local Grant Program:
Kiwanda Educational Learning Program (KELP)

UPCOMING EVENTS

The Bay City Arts Center &
TEP's Speaker Series Present
Source to Sea: The Columbia River Swim.
Mark the date: Friday & Saturday, Feb. 9th & 10th at 7 PM.
At the Bay City Arts Center: 5680 A Street.
Read about it!

The Tillamook Headlight-Herald and TEP
are proud to co-host an important
Global Warming event:
Secretary of State Bill Bradbury presents
Vice President Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth slideshow.
Mark the date: Friday March 9th, 2007, 6-8 PM.
At the Tillamook High School's Don Whitney Auditorium.

More details to come soon!

TEP's Fourth Annual Bounty on the Bay!
Mark the date: Friday and Saturday May 18th and 19th, 2007.
Register online.
Read about last year's event.

Keep an eye out for more information soon about our 2007 event, including a chance to fish with KATU's Grant McComie!

DONATE TO TEP

ISSUE 5: January 2007

We'd love to hear from you. If you have feedback or suggestions after reading our newsletter please send us an email.


Visit our website at www.tbnep.org to learn more about the TEP.


Tillamook Estuaries Partnership
613 Commercial Street
P.O. Box 493
Garibaldi, OR 97118
(503) 322-2222 phone
(503) 322-2261 fax
info@tbnep.org



Salmon Photo Courtesy Barrie Kovish

Knotweed Photo Copyright Michael Wilhelm

KELP Photo Courtesy NNWC