You know as well as I do that I don’t drag our the old Star Wars ceremony for just any beaver achievement. Only the finest accomplishments of the highest honors earn that special award,. Like the one that happened Monday in Oregon thanks to committee Climate, Energy, and Environment Chair Pam Marsh.

HB 4014 Beaver bill (part II)

1. The Act allows agencies to award moneys under a grant program related to living with beavers on private land. The Act directs an agency and a committee to report on the grant program.The Act gives moneys to the agency for the grant program. The Act goes into effect on the 91st dayafter the 2024 session ends

(i) Tree protection tools;(ii) Flood prevention devices;

(iii) Culvert and infrastructure protection systems;

(iv) Crop protection strategies;

(v) Landowner education and outreach; and

(vi) Training related to mitigating the effects of beavers;

(B) Providing statewide technical assistance to develop and expand skills and strategies

for coexisting with beavers; and

(C) Authorizing and administering the expenditures described in this paragraph; and

[(e)] (f) Other conservation, management, research, habitat improvement, enforcement, outdoor recreation or education activities.

Did you just read that? The legislation makes a pilot project of funds available to help land owners co-exist with beavers on their land. I spent an hour on the phone yesterday with Suzanne Fouty who testified on its behalf.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Pam MarshWhereas a warming climate is increasing the frequency of droughts and wildfires; and Whereas beavers have a significant role in increasing the quantity and quality of water on a landscape and decreasing the risks of wildfire, and therefore act as a buffer against climate extremes; and

Whereas the beaver is a keystone species that serves as nature’s engineer and the beavers’ habitat has the ability to provide refugia, stimulate the recovery of other species and foster resilience on landscapes impacted by climate change; and

Whereas private landowners can have substantive positive impacts on beaver populations and the condition of beaver habitat in Oregon; now, therefore,

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

That is it. Apparently the odds of Part 2 passing are better than part 1. Which passed and changed beaver status from predator back to fur bearer. Now landowners can get funded for installing flow devices and monies can be invested for making more skilled beaver workers across the state.

This is the big one folks. California take note. I’m hoping you’re next, I highly recommend you check out the testimonies which are available here and where you can read the brilliant things many of our beaver buds said about them.

When you’re done with that, write your congressman.I did.