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PaulvanOrden's comments:
on Having Fun in the Forest
NOISE AND THE NEED FOR SCIENCE
As a leading Acoustical sciences and Noise Control professional for the last twenty years, I have have been studying the way government agencies around the world interface human made noise with wildlife. I am happy to see a few leading wildlife biologists in the BLM trying to make strides on studying the impact of ATV riding and yet the amount of money we have spent to study the issue using actual sound level measurement equipment with unbiased professionals is pathetically limited. Just like Earl and his spending on Bikes and no money to create QUiets Zones in urban areas. As long as NOISE is seen as a minor issue, there will be little change or bad decision making processes.
We should be asking the old guard of Federal elected officials such as Ron Wyden and Earl Blumenauer why they spend almost ZERO dollars studying the impact of Noise on wildlife in our state and in Mt Hood National Forest.
I am interested in studying the lack of muffer design focus from the primarily Japanese manufacturers of ATV's. I am not against OHV areas, but am generally supportive of more limits on ATV use and instead an expansion of off-roaders who camp and are stewards of outdors. I am an avid offroader, but drive a far quieter set of vehicles and am always surprised at just how impactful ATV's are with their current tire and muffler designs and lack of US made or engineers parts. ATV's---Bad for the environment, and sorry my Tea PArty friends,-- bad for the US economy.
State Forestry folks in particular have demonstrated no ability to protect sensitive Bald Eagle nesting by allowing loud engine noise in extremely close proximity to active nests.
I would suggest that our Federal elected folk put a body of experts from the Acoustical Sciences together to develop a good approach for resolving some of the tensions from ATV's in our NW forests.
Respectfully,
Paul van Orden
posted 2 years, 8 months ago
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on Urban Chickens
We have learned at Growing Gardens that education on food issues and nutrition goes a long way in our modern processed food culture. This has been a great conversation and very productive in my mind.
My applause to the Think Out Loud staff and especially Julie Sabatier for bring this discussion to the larger community.
Thanks again,
Paul van Orden
posted 3 years, 6 months ago
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on Urban Chickens
I typed my other comments very quickly and with several typos and just wanted to add a few notes grabbing a coffee on break:
When a small group of us founded the first Urban Chicken Coop tour in the United States over six years ago we never knew how far the Urban Chicken Movement would be only 6 or 7 years later. The event was started as a small education event for local non profit Growing Gardens. www.growing-gardens.org It has blossomed into a much larger event then any one of us have ever have imagined.
My involvement is uniquely broad including years volunteering on the Board at Growing Gardens and in my professional life where I have urban environmental enforcement duties that can sometime interface chickens. I have sat on the recent Multnomah County Animal Task Force.
As an environmental scientist and law enforcement professional of almost 20 years, I understand the reality that dogs and cats are a much more serious health vector for Oregon then chickens. None the less, I would encourage a reasonable amount of additional regulation to help monitor any potential future health issues. The more conservative perspectives about chickens being as bad vectors as rats may not be true , but after seeing a few rare situations of poorly kept chickens, I suggest that cities add education programs and a chicken registration program. If we had any issue ranging form a serious earthquake to a health epidemic, we would be rightfully prepared to be humane and healthy.
All that said, I have a County Specified Animal permit to have 12 birds. The chickens and Indian Runner ducks we keep have been a wonderful addition to our neighborhood (according to our neighbors!!!). I encourage new chicken and duck owners to first talk with your neighbors and educate them about backyard birds rather then just thrust them on your community.
HAPPY HEN RAISING!!!
Paul van Orden
posted 3 years, 6 months ago
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on Urban Chickens
PORTLAND A NATIONAL MODEL FOR URBAN CHICKENS
Over 6 years I worked with a group of folks and founded the countries first Urban Chicken Coop tour. The idea was meant to be educational about the value of living closer to your food sources and understanding life cycles that most urban kids never get a chance to see.
Growing up back in NEw Jersey I can remember the joy as a kid seeing the Spanish , Portuguese, Polish, Italian and other ethnic neighborhood where folks still raied chicks in real City environments.
I hope other neighboring Cities to Portland can see the value in permitting citizens to raise urban chicks. The paranoia about health issues is not logically based after hundreds of year of urban chicken husbandry.
Today many major cities across America have learned fromthe model we started her ein Portland. I hope Gresham changes its view in the future.
Respectfully,
Paul van Orden
posted 3 years, 6 months ago
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