Waldo Lake: for all and for the future

Former Congressman Jim Weaver speaks out for the protection of Waldo Lake.

A  little over a year ago I was given the great honor of standing alongside family and friends as the U.S. Forest Service officially renamed the Waldo Lake Trail the Jim Weaver Loop Trail. A former aide of mine -- a guy by the name of Peter DeFazio -- helped Congress bestow this tribute.

There aren't a lot of places in our great state that I would be more proud to have my name associated with. Waldo Lake is a true gem. Surrounded by native old-growth forests and volcanic Cascade peaks, the Waldo Lake area is a perfect back-country getaway. Generations of Oregonians have enjoyed the serene beauty of the lake and the opportunity to escape to a landscape frozen in time.

The lake itself is clear, blue and beautiful. Scientists have determined that it is among the most pure lakes in the entire world -- more pristine than its famous southerly cousin, Crater Lake. On a nice day, a kayaker on the lake can see more than 100 feet down into the water. 

The crystal clear waters, the stunning scenery, and the absolute solitude have drawn outdoor recreation enthusiasts of all stripes. Waldo is one of the few lakes in the Cascades where quiet recreation -- canoeing, hiking, swimming, camping -- is the absolute norm.

Back in 1984, citizens from across the state (but especially in the Eugene area) worked to build momentum for a wilderness designation for the forests that surround this high Cascades lake. I helped lead the charge in Congress that year to protect 37,000 acres of forest around Waldo as wilderness -- the highest level of protection for public land.

Unfortunately, left outside the wilderness boundary was the lake itself.

For more than two decades the Forest Service has been working to decide how best to protect the pristine character of the lake's water and maintain the outdoor experience for lake visitors. After years of discussion and public input, Willamette National Forest officials decided to designate the lake and surrounding campground as semi-primitive and to begin phasing out motors on and around Waldo Lake. For the last two years, the gas motor regulation has been tied up in the courts over questions about whether Waldo is "owned" by the state of Oregon or the federal government.

Luckily, in the past few months, the state and federal governments have worked together toward a mutual accord, and the Oregon State Marine Board has proposed new rules to allow Forest Service plans to be implemented. This proposed rule will prohibit motorboats and float planes on the lake and gas generators on the lakeshore. It will also allow for emergency landings or watercraft used for official purposes such as search and rescue, law enforcement and fire suppression.

Waldo Lake deserves nothing less than the protections this rule would afford.

With hundreds of nearby lakes open to gas motor use, keeping Waldo quiet and clean is a common-sense step. A recent survey found that less than 5 percent of lake users operate gas motors when they visit.

The marine board will hear testimony and collect public comment over the next few weeks and Oregonians -- those who worked to protect Waldo a generation ago and those who have come to know and love the lake since – will need to stand up and support this Oregon treasure. Just as with the 1984 wilderness legislation, overwhelming public support should carry the day.

Having the Waldo Lake Trail rededicated in my honor was a humbling and touching gesture. I feel immense gratitude that I served our state at a time when large tracts of Oregon were protected for future generations. However, as always, there is more work to be done. We can pay tribute to those who came before us and those yet to come by keeping Waldo clean and pristine.

Jim Weaver, of Eugene, represented Oregon's 4th Congressional District from 1975 to 1987.