Our continued efforts on the North Santiam River were recently covered by the Statesman Journal. It’s well worth a read. We are very proud of our work on this outstanding tributary to the Willamette River and thankful for all the support we’ve received. We couldn’t have done it without you!
"Western Rivers Conservancy and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, in partnership with the Bonneville Power Administration and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, have completed “Chahalpam,” an assemblage of land that conserves an outstanding stretch of the lower North Santiam River, approximately three miles southwest of Stayton.
The purchase of a 91-acre farm previously owned by Bill and Dianne Tucker finishes a program already in progress.
“The Tucker property was the second of two properties that WRC conserved in partnership with the Tribe,” said Danny Palmerlee, communications director for the conservancy. “The first was the adjacent 338-acre farm, which was conveyed to the Tribe in June 2013. The Tribe renamed the property Chahalpam (meaning “Place of the Santiam Kalapuya people” in Kalapuyan). Now that we have conveyed the Tucker farm to the Tribe, it will become part of Chahalpam.”
Combined, the projects now conserve nearly two miles of North Santiam River frontage, two miles of side-channel habitat, 30 acres of wetlands and 140 acres of riparian forest.
“Conserving the Tucker farm is another meaningful step in our effort to protect the best remaining fish and wildlife habitat in the Willamette Valley,” said Josh Kling, assistant program director of the Western Rivers Conservancy. “And the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde are the perfect partner for this project.”
As explanation of the symbiotic association, Tribal Chairman Reyn Leno said: “The Tribe has a strong connection to this landscape and to the North Santiam River. We have the natural resource expertise to manage the lands for the benefit of fish and wildlife and to ensure this remarkable stretch of the river stays healthy.”
Read full article here >
This story appeared in the January 28, 2015 edition of the Statesman Journal
