News Stories for Wed., Jul. 12, 2017

Oregon Health Authority issued a health advisory for specific areas of Lake Billy Chinook reservoir last week due to a toxic blue-green algae that can cause illness in humans and animals. The U.S. Forest Service posted Health Advisory signs at the Perry South Campground on Lake Billy Chinook reservoir. The OHA says they have had 3 confirmed cases of microcystin poisoning related to exposure to water in the Metolius arm of Lake Billy Chinook. The occurrences were not life-threatening said David Farrer, OHA Toxicologist, however all 3 sought medical treatment through urgent care. He adds that illnesses such as this are often under reported, so the number of those sickened could be higher. Health officials say take proper precautions during activities in which water can be ingested if you do swim in the waters in this area.

Treaty Indian Summer Chinook Commercial Gillnet Fishery for Zone 6 is open today through 6:00 Saturday evening. Allowed gear is gillnets or driftnets with a minimum mesh size of 7 inches. Allowed sales are salmon, steelhead, shad, walleye, catfish, bass, carp and yellow perch.  These fish may be sold or kept for subsistence use.  Legal-size sturgeon are between 43 and 54 inches fork length in The Dalles and John Day pools and between 38 and 54 inches fork length in the Bonneville Pool and may be kept for subsistence use only. Standard river mouth and dam closed areas applicable to gillnets are in effect except for the Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery sanctuary.  Fish may be sold after the period ends if caught during the open period. All regulations for the ongoing Zone 6 Platform and Hook & Line Fishery remain unchanged. The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission does send out text alerts.  You can subscribe to the text alerts by sending the keyword CRITFC to the number 555888.

The Madras White Buffalo Youth Volleyball Clinic continues today and tomorrow from 3-5:00 at the Warm Sprig s Youth Center. It’s open to all youth ages 7 to 12. Talk to Daryle at the Youth Center to find out more.

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is holding a legislative hearing this afternoon. Three bills are on the agenda. They are: the Johnson-O’Malley Supplemental Indian Education Program Modernization Act. The bill requires the BIA to update its student count. Current funding levels are based on data from 1995. The Klamath Tribe Judgment Fund Repeal Act. The bill repeals a termination-era law that dictates how funds owed to the Klamath Tribes are distributed. And, the Oregon Tribal Economic Development Act. The bill addresses leasing and land issues for the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians, the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians.