Mt. Hood, Oregon
Background:
To date, nearly 30 wilderness bills have been introduced in the 110th Congress. It is hoped that a large number of these pending wilderness bills will finish making their way through the legislative process and to the President’s desk for his signature before the end of this year. It is estimated that the 110th Congress could designate wilderness in as many as 10 states adding between one and two million acres to the National Wilderness Preservation System.
Update:
On Thursday, September 11, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands held a hearing on nine bills. Two of these bills would designate new Wilderness areas in California and Oregon. More specifically, the Subcommittee chaired by Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), heard testimony on:
H.R. 6156 - the Eastern Sierra and Northern San Gabriel Wild Heritage Act is sponsored by Representatives Buck McKeon (R-CA),Howard Berman (D-CA), and Brad Sherman (D-CA). From the White Mountains, America's highest desert mountain range, to the Amargosa River in Death Valley, this bill would conserve some of the region's most treasured natural wonders. These include the proposed Owens River Headwaters Wilderness and Wild & Scenic River which would protect the headwaters of the Eastern Sierra's most important river system, the proposed White Mountains Wilderness and the specially-designated Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, which contains the world's oldest living trees. The proposed legislation preserves over 470,000 acres of spectacular lands as wilderness, adds 52 miles to the National Wild and Scenic River System, and creates a winter recreation area outside Bridgeport in Mono County. In addition to preserving wilderness areas and wild rivers, the bill will enhance other recreational opportunities and serve as a boost to the region's tourism-based economy. Leading conservation groups joined business owners, sportsmen and community leaders in their support of McKeon's legislation.
H.R. 6290 - the Lewis and Clark Mount Hood Wilderness Act of 2008 is sponsored by Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Darlene Hooley (D-OR), and David Wu (D-OR). Mount Hood and the Columbia Gorge symbolize the natural beauty of Oregon. The proposed legislation would give wilderness protection to over 130,000 acres and designate approximately 79 miles of rivers around Mount Hood and in the Columbia Gorge as Wild and Scenic Rivers. Some of the areas included in the Mount Hood bill are recreation favorites like Mirror Lake and Columbia River Gorge. Additional protections would also be extended to prime elk habitat found in the Big Bottom area of the Clackamas River watershed. The new designations would also protect the cleanest sources of drinking water for many communities such as Oregon City, West Linn, and Lake Oswego. The bill is supported by a broad coalition of local organizations including the Oregon Nordic Club, the Friends of Tilly Jane (historic preservation group), local jurisdictions and residents, and environmental groups (e.g Portland Audubon, Oregon Wild and the Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club).
Representatives Buck McKeon (R-CA) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) testified in support of their respective bills.
Testifying on behalf of the Bush Administration were Daniel Wenk, Deputy Director National Park Service and Joel Holtrop, Deputy Chief of the Forest Service. Deputy Director Wenk expressed support for H.R. 6156 and said the agency would like the opportunity to work with the bill’s sponsor and the Committee on possible minor boundary adjustments to ensure efficient manageability.
Deputy Chief Holtrop stated, “The Department supports the many aspects of H.R. 6156 that are consistent with relevant Forest Plans. We would like to work with the subcommittee and the bill’s sponsors on our many specific concerns.” In addition, Deputy Chief Holtrop spoke about H.R. 6290. He stated, “the Department has significant concerns with H.R. 6290 as presently written. We believe we can accomplish the bill’s objectives using existing authorities as well as some of the provisions outlined in the bill. We strongly support negotiated agreements on land management and we are committed to continuing to work on the sections where we have concerns.”
While written testimony was submitted on behalf of both wilderness bills, there was only one non governmental witness who testified at the hearing. Mr. Ralph Bloemers, representing the Hood River Valley Residents’ Committee, testified in support of H.R. 6290. He stated, “HR 6290 offers the promise of a visionary solution to community concerns by creating Wilderness and Wild & Scenic River protection, supporting the thriving agricultural and recreational economies of Oregon.”
Read the witness testimony.
Contacts:
Sally Miller, The Wilderness Society: California Office, 415.398.1111, sally_miller@tws.org Bob Freimark, The Wilderness Society: Pacific Northwest Office, 206.624.6430, bob_freimark@tws.org
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