Friends of Elk River

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History


	1974		Upon learning that the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) planned timber sales that would clearcut the steep unstable mountainsides along the middle stretch of Elk River, a small group of concerned citizens came together to form Friends of Elk River (FOER). Their goal was to influence and monitor the 50,000 acres managed by the USFS - the entire upper portion of the Elk River watershed.
	1974-84		To stop these timber sales, FOER organized and led the campaign to designate the 17,000 acre Grassy Knob Wilderness. They formed a coalition with such diverse groups as the League of Women Voters, the Longshoremen’s Union, the Independent Troll Fishermen of Oregon, the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, and others. This group successfully lobbied for permanent protection of the fisheries of the middle stretches of the Elk and Sixes Rivers.
	1984		In recognition of the fisheries value, Congress designated 17,000 acre Grassy Knob Wilderness, protecting the North side of Elk River from Anvil Creek to Butler Creek, as well as the Dry Creek drainage of Sixes River.
	1988		By citizen initiative, Elk River was added to the Oregon State Scenic Waterway system along with ten of Oregon’s premiere rivers.
	1988		FOER successfully obtained Federal Wild & Scenic River designation to protect the Elk’s outstandingly remarkable fisheries, water quality and scenic qualities.
	1991		Friends of Elk River united with Northwest Steelheaders and several other organizations, filing suit to stop the Elk Fork and Boulder Krab Timber Sales in the North Fork Elk River. Recognizing the validity of their concerns, the USFS withdrew sales.
	1993		FOER discovered a marbled murrelet nest in the proposed Copper Iron Timber Sale in the North Fork Elk River and stopped the sale. By law, the USFS is responsible for protecting endangered species on land they manage, but they weren’t finding the marbled murrelets FOER knew were in the Elk River watershed. To make certain the USFS had accurate data, FOER members were certified to survey for marbled murrelets. In several seasons, they discovered over 40 nesting sites throughout the watershed.
	1995		FOER discovered marbled murrelets nesting in Father Oak Timber Sale and reduced the sale area by half.
	1995		With the federal Salvage Rider legislation threatening fisheries, American Rivers placed Elk River on their Ten Most Endangered Rivers list.
	1996		Rather than dispute each individual timber sale, FOER initiated a campaign to create the Copper Salmon Wilderness to permanently protect 12,000 acres along headwaters of the Elk River, Sixes River and South Fork Coquille River.
	1997		FOER discovered marbled murrelets nesting throughout the B’Berry Timber sale leading to massive reductions in sale and letter of reprimand from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to the USFS "suggesting" the USFS follow FOER survey methods.
	1998		FOER members were certified to survey for rare terrestrial mollusks and amphibians. They began leading volunteers into timber sale areas to locate these species, helping to ensure their habitat protection.
	1999		FOER and the Copper Salmon Wilderness gained support from the local Curry County Board of Commissioners, City of Port Orford, and Port Orford Watershed Council.
	2000		Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber asked Congress to designate the Copper Salmon Wilderness. FOER volunteers reopened Barklow Mountain trail, a long-unused route once traveled by Native Americans. From the top of Barklow Mountain you can gaze across the Grassy Knob Wilderness Area, the mountainsides of the proposed Copper Salmon Wilderness and all the way to the Pacific Ocean 15 miles away.
	2002		Friends of Elk River volunteers went deep into the forest to create nesting dens for rare, elusive Pacific Fishers. To nest, these shy solitary mammals need cavities in large trees.
	2004		To help safeguard our world-class salmon runs and the economy of North Curry County, the Port Orford/North Curry Chamber of Commerce voted to endorse the Copper Salmon Wilderness Proposal. The Port Orford City Council voted to re-affirm their support for Copper Salmon.