In a rare public statement opposing dams, the Washington State Beaver Federation has sided with advocates for the removal of the Snake River dams. Federation spokesperson Theodore Beaver observed, “Concrete and rebar is for pretenders. Real dams are constructed strictly from sticks and mud. We only recognize this time-tested technique as the correct method to actively change an ecosystem by blocking rivers and streams.” When questioned about concern for salmon and steelhead, he added, “These fish co-evolved over millions of years with us. Ask any resident trout, but we taught the salmon and steelhead how to jump, and young fish depend on the cool, stable pools, and gravel spawning beds we create.” Before any further questions could be answered, Theodore ended the interview with “sorry, gotta go .. I’m really kind of busy..!”
Very “kind of busy” in Scotland at the moment – the newly re-introduced European beavers (on one of my old rivers in Wales, a notable beaver haunt recorded by the travelling monk Gerald of Wales in 1188 and one of its southern British last, they had been trapped out by the 14th Century; the Scots beavers lasted a little longer) are extremely busy – dodging failing salmon river owners’ 12-gauge shot and bullets. This said, when I think of what I saw your, released from failed fur farms, North American Beavers do to the (a better introduction) trout rivers and slow-growing Antarctic beech forests of Argentine and Chilean Tierra del Fuego, I feel my Inner Later Years Gun-Gripping Charlton Heston coming on….
Following day follow-up
My word, these European beavers must have a great PR & Marketing Department. A mention here yesterday, now this today:
Britain – We’re Back!
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/12/record-number-of-beavers-to-be-released-in-britain-this-year
A great Welsh sea-trout river, the Dyfi / Dovey, is getting them in its lower reaches, I see. I hope it all works out.