The Agricultural Research Service and agricultural experiment stations in Oregon, Washington and Idaho developed the new variety coho, which takes its name from the red-skinned salmon that resides in the Northwest. Tulameen is the most common late-season variety of red raspberry. The new coho variety will extend the availability of red raspberries one week beyond the season for tulameens. Coho is expected to grow well in the Pacific Northwest and California, where 95 percent of the world's red raspberries are produced. Consumers can look for the coho variety as early as this summer.
Red raspberries are a good low-fat source of dietary fiber.
American Rivers reports that the Chugach Alaska Corporation is seeking permits to begin drilling for oil east of the Copper River. The permits would allow Cassandra Energy to drill on about 10,000 acres several miles from the Copper River Delta. Environmental groups oppose the drilling and want the delta designated as a wilderness area. In 2000, the Copper River Delta was listed as one of the nation's most endangered rivers as a result of CAC's proposal to build a road across the delta to enable logging in the region. The road threatens to cut off hundreds of streams that flow into the river, damaging critical salmon habitat and jeopardizing the subsistence and ecological value of the delta.