Domestic Geographic Name Report - Oregon ...
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Date submitted: March 26, 2021
Domestic Geographic Name Report
Action Requested: Proposed New Name
Recommended Name: Lark Island
State: Oregon
Administrative Area: Clatsop County
Specific Area Covered : Island in the Columbia River:
Center at N 46° 12’ 32.3” W 123° 26’ 4.2”
Township and Range: T8N R6W Willamette Meridian
Elevation 0 to 40 Feet
Type of Feature: Uninhabited Island
Is the feature identified (including other names) in the Geographic Names Information
System (GNIS)?: No
Description of Feature: Lark Island is a 113-acre island separated from Tenasillahe Island by a
navigable, unnamed slough on the west side and bordering the main channel of the Columbia
on the east side, across from Puget Island, Washington. It is approximately .9 mile long and .3
mile wide for much of its length, narrowing toward the northern end so that the island is roughly
horn-shaped. The NOAA chart still shows much of the island in green, or subject to be
inundated by highest tides, but this is no longer true - the Army Corps of Engineers uses the
island for depositing dredge material so that the majority of the island is currently at 40 feet
elevation.
Name Information (such as origin, meaning of the recommended name, historical
significance, biographical data (if commemorative), nature of usage or application, or any
other pertinent information):
Lark Island is one of the few remaining nesting areas for a rare subspecies of Horned Lark. The
Streaked Horned Lark, Eremophila alpestris strigata, is the most colorful of the Horned Lark
subspecies. They once occupied open country from southern British Columbia through the
Rogue and Umpqua valleys in Oregon. They have now been extirpated from most of their
former range and number somewhere between 1170-1610 individuals (Altman, 2011). Among
the last strongholds of the larks are the dredge material islands of the Columbia River. Since the
bird was listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2013, the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers has managed the timing and placement of dredge material to benefit the larks,
which thrive in the sparse prairies which emerge two to three years after the deposit of sandy
dredge material. Unlike some other endangered species, the presence of Streaked Horned
Larks has not been controversial, since they thrive on this disturbance from the primary
economic activity on the islands. More information on the Streaked Horned Lark may be found
here: https://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/articles.cfm?id=149489450
Reference: Altman, B. 2011. Historical and Current Distribution and populations of Bird Species in
Prairie-Oak Habitats in the Pacific Northwest. Northwest Science, 85(2):194-222.
Maps and Other Sources Using Recommended Name: The Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership’s map of the Lower Columbia River Water Trail lists Lark Island as a designated camping area: https://www.estuarypartnership.org/water-trails/columbia-river The page specific to Lark Island is here: https://www.estuarypartnership.org/locations/campsite/lark-island-eastern-tip-of-tenasillahe-or This is significant, for the only other name to which the island is referred is Tenasillahe, the adjacent, larger island. Lark Island, however, is a separate island under different management. Tenasillahe Island is part of the Julia Butler Hansen National Wildlife Refuge for the Columbian White-tailed Deer, which expressly prohibits camping. Lark Island is managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, and camping is permitted. A 2005 Washington State Department of Natural Resources publication on Streaked Horned Lark nesting success (see page 14): https://cascadiaprairieoak.org/documents/Finalreport2005.pdf This document notes that “Lark Island” is an unofficial name for the unnamed island. eBird, the largest international database documenting bird distribution, abundance, habitat use, and trends, lists Lark Island as a hotspot - a public area that is a good place to find birds: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L6655727 Notably, Tenasillahe Island is listed as a separate hotspot. Is the recommended name in local usage? Yes, for over 20 years Is there local opposition to, or conflict, with the recommended name (as located)? No, though a large number of local people simply call the island “Tenasillahe”, the name of the larger, nearby island. Other Names (variants) Tenasillahe Maps and Other Sources Using Other Names or Applications: This U.S. Army Corps of Engineers report “Maximizing Streaked Horned Lark Success Using Strategic Placement of Dredged Material in the Columbia River”, by Kristine Lightner, October 24, 2018, refers to the island as “Tenasillahe” on a photo of the island and on their map of Columbia River dredge material locations. This is available as a pdf file on line. For proposed new name, please provide evidence that feature is unnamed: NOAA chart 18523 shows the island just SE of Tenasillahe Island as unnamed: https://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/18523.shtml Additional information: The reasons for officially naming the island “Lark” are two-fold. The first is simply to avoid confusion. The only other name for the island in use is “Tenasillahe”, but Tenasillahe is a separate island under completely different management. Tenasillahe is 2200
acres, most of it diked forest and pasture, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a part of the Julia Butler Hansen National Wildlife Refuge for the Columbia White-tailed Deer. Lark Island is 113 acres mostly consisting of sandy dredge material, with some wetlands and cottonwood forest along the slough that separates it from Tenasillahe Island. It is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is a popular local fishing spot, and allows camping (Tenasillahe does not). The second reason for calling the island “Lark” is that the Streaked Horned Larks that nest there are a large part of what make the island special. Their colorful plumage, bubbling song, and dramatic breeding display are gone from most of their former range, yet they are thriving under the Corps of Engineers’ management in this unlikely place. The hope of those who support this name proposal is that highlighting the presence of this endangered bird will encourage people, especially visitors to the island, to appreciate and protect it for future generations. Submitted By: Andrew Emlen 140 Oatfield Road Skamokawa, WA 98647 360-795-8009 emlenandrew@gmail.com March 24, 2021 Authorities for Recommended Name: George Exum and Carol Carver Retired: engineer and director of St. James Family Center, respectively 541 West Birnie Slough Road Cathlamet, WA 98612 360-849-4324 carver.exum@gmail.com The Carver-Exums have lived on the western tip of Puget Island since 1979, directly across the shipping channel from Lark Island. This makes them among the closest residents to Lark Island. They have visited Lark Island many times. Chris Hathaway Community Programs Director, Columbia River Partnership 811 SW Naito Parkway, Suite 410 Portland, OR 97204 503-226-1565 x. 228 CHathaway@columbiariverpartnership.org Chris started promoting the Columbia River Water Trail in 2001. Kyleen Austin Owner/guide, Columbia River Kayaking 422 East Birnie Slough Road Cathlamet, WA 98612
360-849-9091 kyleenaustin@gmail.com Kyleen first came to Puget Island in 2012. As an owner/ guide for Columbia River Kayaking, she is one of the most frequent visitors to Lark Island.
Lark Island proposal 2021
Tenasillahe Island WA
Lark Island
OR
Puget Island
Tenasillahe Island
WA
Lark Island
OR
Puget Island
1971 NOAA Navigation Chart 1948 Chart 6152 NOAA Navigation Chart 1971 Chart 6152
z
Tenasillahe Island with new detached island.
Tenasallahe Island and Puget BarPuget Bar is listed in GNIS as a ‘Bar’ not an island.
Bruce Fisher Fwd: [EXTERNAL] Proposed geographic name "Lark Island" Mark Flannery Tue, Jun 22, 2021 at 8:08 PM To: Bruce Fisher , Champ Vaughan Here's a supportive response on Lark Island from Jackie Ferrier, of the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Complex (USF&W). They manage the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge, adjacent to Lark Island. Mark ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Ferrier, Jackie Date: Tue, Jun 22, 2021 at 8:58 AM Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Proposed geographic name "Lark Island" To: irenalfo@gmail.com Cc: Bonello, Jake E Hi Mark, We support the proposal to name the island adjacent to Tenasillahe Island within the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-tailed Deer, Lark Island. Thanks, Jackie ~~~~~~~~~~ NOTE NEW ADDRESS & PHONE NUMBER: Jackie Ferrier Project Leader Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Complex 7112 67th Place Long Beach, WA 98631 360-642-3860 From: Willapa, willapa@fws.gov Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2021 7:55 AM
Bruce Fisher Naming of an island in the Columbia River WALKER Vicki * DSL Wed, Jul 21, 2021 at 6:41 PM To: Bruce Fisher Hi, Bruce. We've determined the Dept of State Lands has ownership of the island. We do not oppose the proposed name of Lark Island and think the name is most appropriate. Thanks for your inquiry. Vicki Vicki L. Walker, Director Oregon Dept of State Lands (503) 986-5237 (w) (503) 798-2019 (c) Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone Get Outlook for Android From: Bruce Fisher Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2021 1:34:57 PM To: WALKER Vicki Subject: Naming of an island in the Columbia River [Quoted text hidden]
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