KWSO News 9/9/19

NOAA Fisheries has released a draft plan for public comment to remove and kill as many as 416 California and Steller sea lions each year in a 180 mile stretch of the Columbia River from just downstream of Bonneville Dam at river mile 112 upstream to McNary Dam at river mile 292.  An application for a Section 120 permit to lethally remove the sea lions — was submitted June 13 to NOAA by the fish and wildlife departments of the states of Oregon, Washington and Idaho and the four lower Columbia River Tribes – Nez Perce Tribe, Umatilla,  Warm Springs and the Yakama Nation). The request is for a depredation permit for up to five years.  NOAA put the draft plan out for comment in the Federal Register Aug. 30 and public comments are due Oct. 29.  Comments can be submitted electronically or mailed

(Go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=NOAA-NMFS-2019-0073, click the “Comment Now!” icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach comments.)

(Mail: Comments on the application should be addressed to: National Marine Fisheries Service, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 1100, Portland, OR 97232 ATTN: Protected Resources Division, NOAA-NMFS-2019-0073.)

Union Pacific says two locomotives and three tank cars containing liquefied petroleum gas derailed in Portland, striking and cracking a support beam to an overpass providing access to a major industrial area. The company says there are no injuries and none of the tanks leaked in the derailment that happened at about 9:20 a.m. Saturday.

In Prep Sports Friday Night – Madras Football was on the road in Milton Freewater at McLoughlin/Griswold where they shut out the Pioneers 16 to nothing.  Up next is the first home game of the season this Friday when LaPine comes to town.  KWSO will broadcast that game live with Kelly Simmelink and Neal Morningowl.