July 30, 2007

U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Gordon Smith, R-Ore., have gained unanimous approval for more Wilderness protection on Mount Hood from the Energy and Natural Resource Committee.

“It’s a new day for Wilderness and we are now poised to pass the protection that Mount Hood deserves,” said Wyden.

On Wednesday, the Lewis and Clark Mount Hood Wilderness Act of 2007, co-authored by the two senators, moved another step closer to passage. Wyden and Smith have been working for several years with U.S. Reps. Greg Walden, R-Ore., and Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., to gain federal approval for a master plan of mountain uses.

The senators, both members of the committee, called its vote a “victory for Oregonians.”

“A successful climb is measured by a successful return,” said Smith. “The Oregon delegation has worked together to meet the goal of preserving the lands and waters of Mount Hood. Let’s keep forging ahead to the summit and bring this effort home together.”

The committee-passed legislation increases existing Wilderness protections by almost 125,000 acres. It also grants Wild and Scenic River protection to an additional 80 miles of rivers and sets aside another 34,000 acres for a National Recreation Area.

Wyden and Smith have identified passage of the Wilderness Act as a top agenda priority for the 110th Congress.

Portland conservation and outdoor recreation groups celebrated this week. These organizations are now lobbying for an affirmative vote by the full Senate.

“We still have some distance to travel, but the summit is in sight,” said Erik Fernandez, Wilderness coordinator for Oregon Wild, formerly the Oregon Natural Resources Council.

“All Oregonians who value wildlands, wildlife and clean water should celebrate this milestone. By protecting some of our last pristine places around Mount Hood and in the Gorge, our elected leaders are helping to preserve the values that make Oregon a special place to live, work, and raise a family.”

The senators’ believe the proposed Wilderness areas they selected reduce potential conflicts with other recreational uses. These areas include: Hunchback Mountain, Clackamas Canyon, Memaloose Lake, Mirror Lake, Richard. L. Kohnstamm Memorial Area, Sand Canyon, Sandy Additions, Inch Creek, Lower White River, Larch Mountain, South Fork Clackamas, Twin Lakes, Barlow Butte, Bonney Butte, White River, Badger Creek Additions, Salmon River Meadows, Sisi Butte, Upper Big Bottom, Bull of the Woods, Roaring River, Eagle Creek, Cloud Cap, Alder Creek, Elk Cove/Mazama, Big Bottom, Gorge Face, Bull of the Woods and Tilly Jane.

Among the rivers proposed for further protection – a 47 percent increase - are the East Fork of the Hood River and over 17 miles of salmon and steelhead habitat on the Collowash River. Also included are the Middle Fork Hood River, Zig Zag River, Eagle Creek, Fifteen Mile Creek, South Fork Roaring River, South Fork Clackamas River, Collowash River and Fish Creek.

The Hood River Valley Residents Committee praised the latest legislative step in a press release submitted Thursday.

“The trade would resolve a 30 years of dispute between the Meadows and HRVRC by permanently protecting the North Side,” stated the release.