Thanks to the leadership of elected officials in Oregon who understand the importance of wild places, and the value salmon and steelhead bring to our outdoor economy, there’s a decent chance that Oregon could end up with some new public lands protections in the next few days.
As we posted last week, the halls of Congress are a flurry of activity as congressional leaders work to advance a public lands package that would protect areas across the US for the benefit of sportsmen and women and outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes. Two bills in Oregon, in particular, would be a boon for salmon and steelhead habitat- the Frank and Jeanne Moore Wild Steelhead Special Management Area Designation Act, and the Oregon Wildlands Act.
The Frank and Jeanne Moore bill would protect over 100,000 acres of Steamboat Creek, a prime spawning tributary for summer steelhead on the North Umpqua River. The Oregon Wildlands Act would set aside 128,000 acres of national recreation areas, 256 miles of new Wild and Scenic Rivers designations, and 90,000 acres of wilderness across the infamous salmon and steelhead watersheds of the Rogue, Chetco, Molalla, and Nestucca.
Congress has a historic opportunity to pass a public lands package that includes numerous bipartisan bills that are priorities for hunters and anglers – we’re counting on Congress to deliver for America’s sportsmen and women. These bills would help ensure public lands that support over $16.4 billion dollars and 172,000 jobs that outdoor recreation brings to Oregon’s economy every year.
Please take some time to contact the below senators and representatives and urge your support for the Oregon Wildlands Act and the Frank and Jeanne Moore Wild Steelhead Special Management Area Designation Act.
Representative Peter DeFazio- 202-225-6416
Representative Suzanne Bonamici- 202-225-0855
Representative Earl Blumenauer- 202-225-4811
Representative Greg Walden- 202-225-6730
Senator Ron Wyden- 202-224-5244
Senator Maria Cantwell (Energy and Natural Resources Chairwoman) – 202-224-3441