Clam digging to resume
LONG BEACH — Razor clam digging will be open Friday and Saturday at four Washington beaches.
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife has approved digging at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks after marine toxin tests showed the clams are safe to eat.
Digging is open from noon to midnight. Low tide is -0.5 feet at 4:28 p.m. on Friday and -0.8 feet at 5:17 p.m. on Saturday.
Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager, said most diggers begin about one to two hours before low tide.
The daily limit is the first 15 clams dug, Each digger’s limit must be kept in a separate container.
License options range from a three-day razor clam license at $6.60 to an annual combination fishing license costing $52.25.
Kalaloch Beach, in Olympic National Park, will be closed due to low numbers of clams. A dig at Kalaloch is scheduled April 7-9.
Oregon wildlife agency to move
SALEM — Oregon’s Fish and Wildlife Commission has approved purchase of a new headquarters building for the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The proposed new building is at 4030 Fairview Industrial Drive Southeast in Salem. The purchase will be financed by $16 million in bonds approved by the 2011 state Legislature.
The debt service on the bonds will be roughly equal to what ODFW pays to lease its current headquarters plus property tax on the leased space.
At the end of 25 years, the agency will own the property and have reduced operating expenses.
Money from hunting and fishing licenses and tag revenues will repay the bonds. The same money has been used for the current lease payments.
The lease expires on Aug. 31, 2013.
Bass club meets Jan. 26
PORTLAND — The Oregon Bass and Panfish Club will meet at 7 p.m. Jan. 26 at the East Portland Community Center, 740 S.E. 106th Ave.
Presentation of fishing awards to club members for catches in 2011 are planned.
The public is welcome. Winning anglers will tell the location and methods used in their catches.
Crest Trail group meets here Feb. 4
Photographer David Cobb, a veteran long-distance hiker, will be the guest speaker on Feb. 4 when the Mount Hood chapter of the Pacific Crest Trail Association meets in Vancouver.
The chapter’s annual meeting will begin at 1 p.m. at the Gifford Pinchot National Forest office, 100600 N.E. 51st Circle. Admission is free.
The Mount Hood chapter provides volunteer maintenance on the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail from Mount Jefferson Wilderness in Oregon to Mount Adams in Washington.
Cobb will discuss light, color, form and expression in outdoor photography.
For more information, email tturner@pcta.org or go online to www.longtrails.com/mthood.
