Locals Say 'Come See Mt. Hood, Sen. Coburn'

Several local businesses and a conservation group have invited an Oklahoma Senator to visit Mt. Hood with the hope that he’ll change his mind about blocking an expanded wilderness area there. Pete Springer reports.

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Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn is blocking an expansion of the Mt. Hood Wilderness by using a senate rule that allows a single senator to hold up legislation.

The bill has the support of Oregon’s entire congressional delegation and was co-sponsored by Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith.

Eric Fernandez is the wilderness coordinator with Oregon Wild.  He says his group hopes that if Senator Coburn sees Oregon’s tallest mountain in person he'll change his mind.

Eric Fernandez: “There are a couple places on the road heading up or a couple places on the trail where you turn the corner and boom!  There is the mountain.  And it stops you in your tracks and you understand why we need to protect this mountain.”

A spokesman for Senator Coburn says he hasn’t seen the invitation yet, but says the senator is concerned about some of the other legislative packages included in the bill.