Study: Cutting and leaving juniper may increase invasive grasses
ONTARIO, Ore. - Agencies are spending hundreds of millions of dollars on juniper removal in an effort to increase native shrubs and grasses.
But a recent study by Oregon State University researchers says cutting juniper may lead to an increase in invasive grasses if the trees are simply left where they fall.
The study was conducted from 2012 to 2016 in a wildlife area between the Ochoco and Malheur national forests.
Juniper trees toppled at the beginning of the study were left where they fell. Researchers later found that invasive grasses were more prevalent in areas of cutting than non-cutting.
Study co-author Lisa Ellsworth says juniper reduction is important for habitat and range health. But when the understory is compromised, follow up treatments such as herbicide and native-shrub seeding must be considered.
Salmon could return to upper reaches of Columbia River
SEATTLE - Officials say salmon soon could return to the upper reaches of the Columbia River for the first time in seven decades.
Northwest News Network reported Cody Desautel, director of natural resources for the Confederated Tribes of the Colville, said his group will "trap and haul" fish out of its hatchery and put them above Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams in northeast Washington. He said "there will be salmon above Grand Coulee Dam this year for the first time in 70 years."
Desautel said the plan hangs on one last federal permit from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
If the final permit is approved, Colville fish managers will trap salmon at their hatchery and drive them around the dam by truck, where they'll be released back into the Columbia River. The tribe will keep track of where those fish go.
Lewis and Clark Bridge reopens after backpacks investigated
LONGVIEW, Wash. - Authorities have reopened a bridge between Longview, Wash., and Rainier, Ore., that had been shut down because of suspicious backpacks on the Oregon side.
Multiple news outlets reported witnesses called 911 around 9:30 a.m. Monday to report seeing a man lowering backpacks from the bridge over the Columbia River and tying them there before walking away.
A bomb squad was called and the bridge was closed in both directions. The Washington State Patrol said one of the backpacks had been detonated as of Monday afternoon.
The Oregon State Police and U.S. Coast Guard referred to the backpacks as suspicious. It wasn't clear if authorities found any type of explosives in the backpacks.
The bridge was closed for several hours. The Columbia River was also closed to traffic.
Woman died trying to save cat from fire in Oregon
HILLSBORO, Ore. - Authorities say a 55-year-old Oregon woman died when she tried to save her cat from a burning mobile home.
Lt. Henry Reimann of the Hillsboro Police Department said firefighters responded to the engulfed home at about 5 a.m. Monday and found the body of Cynthia Ann Stephens. Her husband, Larry Stephens, escaped without injury.
Reimann said Cynthia Stephens was leaving with her husband when she turned around and went to look for their cat. The cat was later found dead inside the home, but the couple's dog made it to a neighbor's house and was in good condition.
Firefighters prevented the blaze from spreading to other homes.
Reimann said the cause of the fire was electrical.
Associated Press
