2009-2010 Case Studies

Note: Reading materials for the 2008-2009 case studies will be available to registered participants in our Case Study Library. Please contact Christine Jacobs for the password.

Salmon Hatchery Reform in the Columbia River Basin

Dates: October 26-30, 2009

Locations: Various Sites in Oregon and Washington

For nearly a hundred years, hatcheries have been viewed as the solution to dwindling Northwest salmon runs depleted by over harvest, habitat destruction and dams. More recently, hatcheries have been criticized as a significant contributor to salmon declines because hatchery raised fish compete with native stocks. Congress commissioned a blue ribbon science team who, in collaboration with hatchery managers, tribes and other interested parties, developed a comprehensive plan to “reform” salmon hatcheries in the Columbia River Basin to make them more compatible with salmon recovery yet meet state and tribal harvest goals. The plan, released in early 2009, was praised by nearly all the stakeholders, which is a remarkable accomplishment for an issue as contentious as salmon management. This case study will focus on the political support, agency leadership and the scientific framework that had to operate in concert to achieve this level of acceptance, and the role hatcheries can play in meeting regional and tribal goals for the harvest, recovery and restoration of Columbia River salmon runs.

Tillamook River Estuary Flood Control and Restoration

Dates: February 22-26, 2010

Location: Tillamook, Oregon

Periodically over the years, the city of Tillamook and surrounding farm lands have experienced severe flooding. After each flood event, the local community has demanded action from federal, state and local governments, usually in the form of dredging one or more of the five rivers flowing into the Tillamook Estuary. Because of environmental concerns, state and federal agencies have resisted approving the necessary permits needed for dredging. In 2007, the Governor Kulongoski designated the Tillamook flooding issue as an Oregon Solutions Project, which seeks to find collaborative and community based approaches to such problems. As a result of this collaborative effort, a comprehensive plan has been agreed upon that does not list dredging as a primary solution and a number of projects have been completed that alleviated the impacts of recent flooding. This case study will examine how a successful collaborative process actually happens.

Wild Horse Management on Public Lands

Dates: April 26-30, 2010

Location: Burns and French Glen, Oregon

In 1971, the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act was passed in response to public outcry over the treatment of wild horses on federal lands. Since then, thousands of horses have been successfully gathered and adopted. In recent years, adoption rates have fallen dramatically and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has been forced to feed over thirty thousand un-adopted wild horses in corrals and private pasture lands, or delay horse gatherings which often results in natural resource damage and completion for forage with livestock. A recent GAO report called for significant changes to wild horse management, and BLM is currently considering numerous policy changes including sterilization and if necessary, euthanasia. These proposals have raised alarm and passionate protests from wild horse advocates. This case study will examine the unique challenges faced by federal land agencies (BLM, USFS, USFWS) managing wild horse populations in a manner that controls program costs, protects natural resources and meets public expectations for these icons of the American West.

Program Year Wrap-Up

Dates: June 3-4, 2010

Location: Portland State University Campus

An Executive Seminar program tradition, the Program Year Wrap-Up session enables participants to synthesize and reflect on the lessons learned from the year’s case studies. Participants are asked to come prepared to discuss an issue from their own work experience and apply principles learned during the year to the issue. The ESP Advisory Board and additional PSU faculty participate in the session. Beyond providing a cap on the learning experience, this session provides an opportunity to say farewell to friendship formed over the program year and meet participants from earlier cohorts.