Crater Lake is one of Oregon's most prized natural treasures, and this week Senator Ron Wyden took an important step toward increasing protections for the park.

Unfortunately there is never a shortage of bad ideas to degrade our natural treasures, and Crater Lake is no exception. Senator Wyden has introduced an amendment that will help prevent helicopter flights from buzzing around the rim of Crater Lake.

You would think that when our public lands are protected as National Parks that they are sufficiently protected. As it stands right now the FAA and the National Park Service both have some say over whether helicopters and commercial air tours can buzz around our national parks. The amendment that Senator Wyden has introduced would change that dynamic by clarifying that the Park Service can stop this noise pollution if they determine it would degrade the visitors experience. This is an important step forward, but at the end of the day, only Wilderness protection will truly protect the experience at Crater Lake. Wilderness designation is the gold standard for our public lands.

Thank you Senator Wyden for taking this important first step toward protecting Crater Lake.