CCP410 by C.M.I.

SERVING CURRY COUNTY SINCE 1946 www.currypilot.com

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2024

Brookings, Oregon

Port Commissioner seen ﬁring paintballs at sea lions private property, but only when used with non-toxic, watersoluble paint. This is a generally discouraged method, as there are more human and less pollutioninducing options. Fraser, however, was not on private property. This was done on the public dock of the Port of Brookings Harbor with no knowledge or permission from port staff, other commissioners, or any regulatory agencies. This caused an additional item to be placed on the agenda for the Port Commissioners regular meeting held on March 20. During which, Port Manager Travis Webster outlined how this is an unacceptable method of deterrence. The commissioners

BY NATE SCHWARTZ Country Media Inc.

Brookings, OR - On March 15, 2024, Port of Brookings Harbor Commissioner Daniel Fraser was seen on the public dock in the Port ﬁring paintballs at the sea lions who frequent the harbor at this time of year. This is a clear violation of state and federal law under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Mammal Protection Act. According to its guidelines on deterrence measures for ‘nuisance’ pinnipeds (i.e. seals, sea lions, etc.), NOAA does not outright disallow the use of paint ball guns as deterrence on

went on to discuss possible options for the future. “When it comes to paintballs, on public property, no public citizen can go out and shoot with paintballs, harass them, move them on. You can’t do that as a private citizen on public property. You can’t do that. There are very speciﬁc rules on when you can and can’t do that,” said Webster. The violation has been reported to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, with action or comment still pending. The commission has opted to wait on ofﬁcial measures for deterring the sea lions, as the period in which they are present in the port is

nearly at an end, though the commission wants to be clear that they are exploring every possible option. “Any boats that are on J dock or are in any type of jeopardy of being around the sea lions, and you don’t want your boat there, you come and talk to the Port and we will relocate your boat. Not a problem. The sea lions, historically, are here every year. They start coming in late February early March. First week of April, they’re typically always gone. So we’re talking about a relatively short window,” said Webster. The sea lions are drawn to the area due to the migration patterns of the herring that

are their main source of food. The number of pinnipeds is not insigniﬁcant, and the commission has serious concerns about public safety and property damage. They can often attract onlookers who want to take pictures and get a glimpse of the creatures. Sea lions, while cute aquatic mammals and emblematic of the Oregon Coast, are still dangerous wild animals. Like any such animal, you should not approach or antagonize them in any way. Feeding them should be avoided at all costs, as it can reinforce an association between people and food, creating further likelihood of incident or causing them to stay longer in the harbor.

Documentary shot from the depths of Loneliness and discussion Oregon wilderness screenings slated in April aging at Curry Public Megan Rangel-Lynch hoists a 60-pound backpack to her shoulders and tightly fastens the waist-strap to her torso, her eyes wince, and she cautiously begins the 10-mile journey into Oregon’s Wild & Scenic Chetco River canyon. The 22 year-old from Southern California breathes deep and offers a deep sigh: “Back again.” Megan’s story of backpacking and working 26 miles across the 180,000acre Kalmiopsis Wilderness Area is told through the 28-minute documentary “A Long Way to Nowhere,” directed by Siskiyou Mountain Club communications staff member Vince DiFrancesco. The nonprofit will host the domestic premiere the film on April 4 in Ashland, OR and then go on the road with community screenings up and down the Pacific Coast. “A Long Way to Nowhere” was featured in the Tatras International Film Festival and received an honorable mention for best environmental film. Watch previews, get tickets for the premiere and details for the free screenings at siskiyoumountainclub.org/nowhere. If you represent a venue interested in hosting a free screening or would like to review the film, reach out to the Club’s executive director at gabe@siskiyoumountainclub.org. Megan’s journey is intertwined with the story of her crew, a group of young Americans who find themselves in the middle of nowhere with no phones, no technology, and up against the biggest challenges of their lives. They face rough water crossings, hard labor in exposed areas recently burned by wildfire, and work days that start, and sometimes end, in the dark. The film includes interviews with Forest Service employees who provide context and history. “A Long Way to Nowhere” captures

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Please see DOCUMENTARY, Page 8

World Jet Boat Championships event comes to Gold Beach this May Chairs – check, coolers – check, snacks – check, binoculars – check - Spectators will soon be lining the Rogue River in anticipation of the roar of the engines and the insane speed of the boats for this upcoming international thrill seekers event. Southern Power Boat Association is proud to be hosting the 2024 USA UIM “Leo Wright Memorial” World Jet Boat Championships starting May 4th & ending May 11th in Gold Beach. The events kick off Friday, May 3rd with the Show & Shine at Jot’s Resort from 3-6 pm, where the public can get up-close to the boats, meet the racing teams, take pictures and get autographs. Event merchandise will be available for purchase, along with Milwaukee Tools special event tent. A ticketed Calcutta/ dinner will be held at the Event Center from 7-10pm. Time trials

Gold Beach, OR- Loneliness and isolation are common experiences for elderly people, especially for those who do not have nearby family members or who are not computer literate. What do you know about the elders in your life or in your neighborhood? Are they connected to their families in an enriching way? Do they belong to a caring community of some kind? This conversation is for elderly people and people who live near elders or have elderly people in their lives to explore questions, experiences, and obstacles to showing up for elderly people and to generate ideas for connection. This is the focus of Loneliness and Aging, a free conversation with Pamela Slaughter on Thursday, April 11 at 5:30pm. This event is hosted by Curry Public Library and sponsored by Oregon Humanities. If you are able, please RSVP on the library website. Pamela Slaughter is a lifelong Oregonian with varied interests. She retired from her career as an adult protective service investigator for Multnomah County, where she saw firsthand how devastating loneliness and isolation can be. Pamela is the founder and executive director of People of Color Outdoors, a nonprofit designed to help facilitate the reconnection of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to the outdoors. She is the author of the children’s book Hi! My Name is Robin!, published in 2020, which she hopes will encourage families to birdwatch together. Through the Conversation Project, Oregon Humanities offers free programs that engage community members in thoughtful and challenging conversations. Oregon Humanities (921 SW Washington, Suite 150; Portland, OR 97205) connects Oregonians to ideas that change lives and transform communities. More information about Oregon Humanities’ programs and publications, which include the Conversation Project, Consider This, Humanity in Perspective, Facilitation Training, Grants, and Oregon Humanities magazine, can be found at oregonhumanities. org. Oregon Humanities is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities and a partner of the Oregon Cultural Trust. For more information, or to register for the event, please visit www.currypubliclibrary.org.

Please see JET BOATS, Page 8

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Phone Number: 541-813-1717 • Address: 519 Chetco Avenue, Unit 7, Brookings, OR 97415 • Email: Circulation@CountryMedia.net

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