Paddlesports, Outdoors and Wildlife

Tags

Access, Canoeing, Government, Kayaking, Legislation, Outdoors, Paddling, Parks, Wildlife

HB 2320 and HB 2321 Died In Committee 
Both the controversial bill to charge all boaters wishing to navigate Oregon waters, HB 2320, and the less contested legislation aimed at extending PFD and invasive species permit requirements, HB 2321, languished in the Ways and Means Committee when the legislature reached adjournment. This is likely not the last we will see of such proposals, and we, as a community, should be prepared to address the issues raised when that happens. If the OSMB continues to pursue the agency’s interests ahead of the public’s, we should be prepared not only to address that concern, but to offer better solutions, as well.

The Oregonian’s Favorite Portland Kayaking Venues 
The Oregonian has compiled a short list of waterways, in and around Portland, which are favorable to paddlesport. For the most part they are well-known, but still worth keeping in mind: http://www.oregonlive.com/travel/index.ssf/2017/07/best_places_to_kayak_in_portla.html#incart_river_index

 

Nature and the Environment

Tags

Conservation, Environment, Nature

Plastic Bottles – “As dangerous as climate change”? 
The world is awash in plastic, yet more is added every day. The numbers are staggering: A million plastic bottles change hands every minute. In 2016 480,000,000,000 plastic drinking bottles alone were sold. The Guardian explores the issue, here: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/28/a-million-a-minute-worlds-plastic-bottle-binge-as-dangerous-as-climate-change

Solar Panel Waste a Serious Concern 
While in operation, solar panels are known for being light on environmental impact. Unfortunately, at the end of its life, a solar panel represents a tortuous mess of toxic substances. Furthermore, efforts to recycle the materials are met with a host of difficulties in finding a practical solution. The National Review delves into the conundrum: http://www.nationalreview.com/article/449026/solar-panel-waste-environmental-threat-clean-energy

The Environmental Dangers Lurking in Laundry 
With concentrations of plastics, perfluorinated chemicals, and other man-made substances in our fabrics, doing laundry has a big environmental footprint. As the BBC explains, researchers are only beginning to understand the toxic stew that comes out with the wash: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-40498292

North Fork Smith River Gets Protection 
The Oregon Environmental Quality Commission has designated the North Fork of the Smith River as Outstanding Resource Waters. The protection is likely to stymie efforts to locate mining projects in the watershed. The Statesman Journal elaborates: http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2017/07/15/north-fork-smith-river-oregon-mining-red-flat-nickel/480775001/

 

Health, Fitness and Safety

Tags

Fitness, Health, Medicine

Sponges Still Septic After Microwave/Dishwasher 
Kitchen sponges are the perfect breeding ground for all kinds of microorganisms, including pathogens. Now we learn that two popular ways which have developed to disinfect sponges just plain don’t work; microwaving them or putting them through the dishwasher leaves loads of viable microbes intact. Curiously, the study that found these results didn’t appear to assess disinfecting solutions, such as bleach, the standard approach in food service. At any rate, Ars Technica has the story: https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/07/kitchen-sponges-are-festering-germ-dens-and-sanitizing-them-doesnt-help/

Drug Expiration Dates Described as “Myth” 
Most drugs have rather short assigned shelf lives. Characteristically, once past their expiration date, such drugs are discarded, at significant financial and environmental cost. This leaves researchers with few samples of aged drugs to test for potency, so you can imagine the excitement some felt to discover a cache of forgotten prescription drugs dating to the 1960s. The results of testing those pharmaceuticals were eye opening. The great majority of the drugs had maintained potency at or near original levels. ProPublica reports: https://www.propublica.org/article/the-myth-of-drug-expiration-dates

Acetaminophen Found to Inhibit Empathy 
It looks like you may have to add acetaminophen to the list of mood-altering drugs, and not for the better. A couple recent experiments suggest the drug reduces a person’s ability to feel empathetic. The Washington Post has an account of the news: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/05/12/this-popular-painkiller-also-kills-kindness/?utm_term=.1b7f175174c8

Area of the Brain Promotes Physical Youth 
Evidence is growing that the hypothalamus plays a key role in aging. Recent research with mice found that neural stem cells in that part of the brain seemed key to the rate of aging. Ars Technica has more: https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/07/neural-stem-cells-linked-to-maintenance-of-youth/

 

Travel and Photography

Tags

Animals, Environment, Outdoors, Photography, Videos

Panda Cub Climbing Antics 
The Smithsonian National Zoo’s charismatic, young panda, Bei Bei, clearly knows how to have fun climbing up and falling from trees. The video evidence can be found here: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/video-panda-cubs-favorite-game-belly-flopping-out-trees-180963988/

A Gallery of Hells Canyon Views by the  Oregonian 
This OregonLive article provides directions to several Hells Canyon viewpoints, along with samples of the sights: http://www.oregonlive.com/travel/index.ssf/2017/07/3_great_viewpoints_of_hells_ca.html#incart_2box_travel

 

August Excursions

Tags

Canoeing, Kayaking, Outdoors, Paddling

TERMS, CONDITIONS, DISCLAIMERS AND WAIVERS CAN BE FOUND ON THE “ABOUT” PAGE.

August 13
Luckiamute River, Luckiamute Landing to Buena Vista – Class A – length 3± miles
The mud has abated the most it will. Explore the Luckiamute while you can keep your sandals! It’s a short, but slow trip, so bring adequate resources.
Jim Bradley
jim.cascadepaddlers@gmail.com

August 27
North Santiam, Greens Bridge to Jefferson – Class 1 Whitewater – length 3.5 ± miles
Time to enjoy this run, before the corps starts draining Detroit; last chance to get in on the lower, warmer water. Bring provisions and be prepared for a leisurely pace.
Jim Bradley
jim.cascadepaddlers@gmail.com