I wonder how much of this discussion is really about habitat
issues and how much of it is about human access. About loss
of a walkway and access to shrubby habitat versus loss of shrubby
because of its intrinsic value for birds....

Maybe if the breaching could be accomplished with raised walkways
added. I suspect that if access were not lost many who are currently
skeptical about this effort might be pleasantly surprised by
an increase in avian diversity.

This has been shown to be the case elsewhere...


As to the role of salmon in PNW ecosystems, I recommend getting
hold of:
Cederholm, C.J., D.H. Johnson, R.E. Bilby, L.G. Dominguez,
A.M. Garrett, W.H. Graeber, E.L. Greda, M.D. Kunze, B.G. Marcot,
J.F. Palmisano, R.W. Plotnikoff, W.G. Pearcy, C.A. Simenstad,
and P.C. Trotter. 2000. Pacific Salmon and Wildlife - Ecological
Contexts, Relationships, and Implications for Management. Special
Edition Technical Report, Prepared for D.H. Johnson and T.A.
O'Neil (Manag. Dirs.), Wildlife-Habitat Relationships in Oregon
and Washington. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife,
Olympia.


--
Mike Patterson
Astoria, OR
celata at pacifier.com

I do not know which to prefer,
The beauty of inflections
Or the beauty of innuendoes,
The blackbird whistling
Or just after.

- Wallace Stevens

http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters/bird/bird.html