Leaf Litter

Raking in Notes From All Over

March, 2000

© 2000 Streamline Publications

A Military Flanking Maneuver

Gamble Creek in Poulsbo, Washington is a waterway that is used by salmon to reach gravel bed spawning grounds. Reed canary grass had clogged the stream channel forcing the water flow to spread out and become too shallow for the fish to pass. The Bangor Naval Submarine Base provided a demolition crew and the Washington Conservation Corps contributed a cleanup team. Using dynamite, the navy group blasted a new channel that will allow the fish to bypass the weed-choked area.

Just Can't Win

In still another example of nature's perversity, a recent study by the National Center for Atmospheric Research suggests that the country's success in cleaning the air could contribute to global warming. According to the EPA, sulfur dioxide emissions—responsible for acid rain and health problems—have dropped by 12 percent between 1988 and 1997. As the atmosphere becomes cleaner its ability to filter out sunlight diminishes, creating increased warming. A number of computer forecasts suggest cleaner air will add one degree to global warming estimates over the next 100 years.

Note to Uncle Ben

In a possible answer to the problem of vitamin A deficiency in developing countries, Swiss researchers have developed a genetically-modified rice. Lack of vitamin A causes blindness and other childhood illness. Beta carotene is a source of vitamin A. The new crop—known as golden rice for its yellow color—has three additional genes to raise its beta carotene level. Research continues to determine whether nutritional value of the rice is affected.

Run For the Hills

Under the newly instituted Flood Mitigation and Riverine Restoration Program, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will study environmental solutions to deal with flooding. Known primarily for its decades-long lust for dam building, the Corps will test the efficacy of moving entire flood-prone communities to higher ground and restoring river ecology. Costs of the program would be split, with participating communities.

Sheepless

All Santa Cruz Island sheep have reportedly been removed (LEAF-let, Jan/Feb 97 & 98). Recent efforts to restore the island to a pristine condition involved eliminating 3,000 sheep from its eastern tip. The move is to promote native plant restoration. A decade ago 6,000 sheep were removed from the islands western section where now sweet fennel—an invasive exotic—flourishes. The weed was previously kept under control by the sheep.

Endangered Species Relay

The proposed Lang Ranch dam in Thousand Oaks, CA (LEAF-let, Sep/Oct 99) continues to generate controversy. An anti-dam city councilwoman recently discovered an endangered plant—Brauntons milkvetch—in the affected area. The find was confirmed by the biologist who performed the site environmental impact survey in 1995. At that time the plant was not listed as endangered.

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