Dear supporter,

Even though August brought mid-90's and some 100-degree temps across most of our region, I know many of you were out enjoying some great fishing during the month. 

Big news also landed this month regarding restoring the salmon and steelhead population on the Lower Little Snake River. Last week, the much-anticipated report from Washington Senator Patty Murray and Governor Jay Inslee was released. In their report, they state that the lower Snake River dams must be breached as the extinction of salmon, among other species, is unacceptable. They made this recommendation very cautiously and said breaching these dams should occur only after replacing their benefits.

In the form of a legal ruling, another 12 months were granted on how to develop a long-term strategy to prevent salmon and steelhead extinction on the Columbia and Lower Snake Rivers. It’s an eerie feeling I have when I type the word extinction next to steelhead and salmon. Looking back thousands of years at the relationship of salmon to the Pacific Northwest and its people further frames the urgency of how we need to plan and act together on preventing the extinction of salmon, steelhead, and many other species.

I appreciate the warm welcome many Steelheaders have given me thus far at the Sandy River Chapter Cookout, Emerald Valley Chapter Fin Clipping, and via phone calls & emails. 

I look forward to meeting more of you in the coming months, and please reach out to me at jwedemeyer@anws.org if something is on your mind or if you just want to say hello. I hope the start of fall runs and the waning summer days treat you and yours very well.

Jason Wedemeyer 

Executive Director

New Law Aims to Protect Wildlife and Mitigate Negative Impacts to Habitat

As anglers and Americans, we have something to celebrate, as legislation became a new law that will reduce emissions, protect wildlife, and reduce harmful pollutants. Our watershed and communities will only benefit. The Inflation Reduction Act is heralded as the most significant ever legislation to combat the climate crisis.

The Inflation Reduction Act includes provisions to take immediate action on the climate crisis, including:

• Over $20 billion for climate-smart agriculture and conservation, providing funding for farmers and ranchers to put towards proven practices that reduce emissions, greenhouse gasses, and improve soil carbon management.
• $2.6 billion for the conservation, restoration, and protection of coastal and marine habitats that would create jobs and better help coastal communities become more resilient to worsening storms.
• $3 billion in funding to address harmful pollution and emissions and improve air quality, particularly in disproportionately impacted Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color.

To learn more about the benefits of this legislation, head over to our most recent blog post.

Enter the Garden For Wildlife Photo Contest

Calling all photographers! The Garden For Wildlife Photo Contest for 2022 has started. The entrance fee helps support the Steelheaders' work as a National Wildlife Federation affiliate in our mission to protect wild habitats and the fisheries of the Northwest. Now through October 23rd submit your photographs for a chance to win up to $1,000! The categories are:

• People in the Wildlife Garden
• Certified Wildlife Habitat Landscapes
• Wildlife Observations Where People Live, Work, Play, Learn and Worship
• Close-up Native Plants and their Wildlife Visitors
• Young Habitat Photographers: For photographers aged 13-17

Visit the Garden For Wildlife Photo Contest website to learn more!

2022 Down the River Clean Up Day

Do you fish on the Clackamas River? On September 11th this year, you can get out and clean up the 22-mile stretch of the Clackamas River from Estacada to the confluence with the Willamette River in Oregon City. It's the perfect opportunity to take part in the largest and longest-running cleanup event of its kind in Oregon while cleaning up your fishing spot. You can get out in a drift boat and any other safe vessel to scour the stream bed and banks for trash. The day wraps up with a free BBQ for all volunteers, complete with music, a raffle, and a silent auction, so there's an even bigger incentive to get out and help.

Visit the link below to learn more, and respond to this email letting us know if you plan to attend! 

Chapter Meetings

A few chapters have resumed Monthly Chapter Meetings in-person, and we hope to get everyone meeting as soon as possible! To get more detailed meeting information please visit our Events Calendar. If you're having trouble finding a meeting you can attend, please reach out to us at office@anws.org and we'll help you out. As always, Chapter Meetings are free and open to the public. If you're new to Northwest Steelheaders, attending a meeting is a great first step to getting more involved with your local fishing community. 

Upcoming Meetings

• Mid-Valley Chapter - Thursday, September 1 @ 6 pm
• Sandy River Chapter - Thursday, September 1 @ 6:30 pm
• Emerald Empire Chapter - Tuesday, September 6 @ 7 pm
• Tualatin Valley Chapter  - Thursday, September 8 @ 7 pm
• McLoughlin Chapter - Tuesday, September 13 @ 7 pm
• Columbia River Chapter - Wednesday, September 14 @ 6:30 pm
• Salem Chapter - Thursday, September 21 @ 7 pm
• Tom McCall Chapter - Wednesday, October 19 @ 11:30 am