Riverhawks

www.Riverhawks.org

Our Mission

Riverhawks seeks to protect and preserve the rivers of the Pacific Northwest. We work with government agencies to create management plans, policies, and programs that optimize the experience of those that float the rivers. We generally oppose government efforts to allow resource extraction, mechanized travel, or other development in wild and scenic river corridors.

Current Projects

Bear/Human education on the Rogue River. Our goal is to stop bears from seeing humans as potential providers of food. With the cooperation of the BLM, Siskiyou National Forest, and Oregon Fish and Game, we developed a bear/human management plan that has successfully averted bear problems for 2001 and 2002.
Opposition to Rand Visitor Center. For the last four years the BLM has been intent on building a visitor center/office complex on the banks of the Rogue River at Rand. Riverhawks has generated comments and filed appeals on various proposals the BLM has put forth on this project. So far The BLM has withdrawn all of these proposals. Currently we are awaiting the final EIS (DEIS in PDF format) for the BLM Management plan for the recreational section, which is expected to contain their latest thinking on this project.
Jet boat tour limitation. Riverhawks, in conjunction with American Rivers and Northwest Rafters Association, is now in the resolution phase of a lawsuit challenging the process that the Siskiyou National Forest has used to issue tour jet boat permits in violation of its River Management Plan. The Rogue’s River Management Plan is unequivocal in declaring that jet boat use is to be restricted to the level of use that occurred in 1969. Yet the Forest Service has issued permits in excess of this level without going through the proper planning process.
The Klamath River has been nominated by Riverhawks and a coalition of other conservation groups for American Rivers’ Most Endangered River list. The Klamath was number three on the list for 2002, thanks to a nomination by Oregon Natural Resources Council and Waterwatch. The recent salmon die-off on the lower river almost guarantees a place for the Klamath on the 2003 list.