Wilderness protection for Oregon's Yellowstone

Wilderness Coordinator Erik Fernandez makes the argument for protecting the threatened lands of the Siskiyou Wild Rivers.

The Siskiyou Wild Rivers area in southwest Oregon is one of the most important and unique natural areas in the state. Sadly, as The Oregonian editorial board recently pointed out it's also one of the most threatened.

As the largest, most intact and most biologically diverse wild area in the state, the Siskiyous are Oregon's very own Yellowstone. Known historically for healthy salmon runs, the region is gaining an unfortunate reputation of late for anything-goes mining. Congress and the Obama administration need to act to ensure that this natural treasure receives the protection it deserves.

Southwest Oregon has a history of mineral extraction, but we need to ask ourselves if harmful mining should take place in one of the most sensitive natural areas in Oregon. Should diesel-powered suction dredges be set loose to excavate critical spawning habitat for steelhead and chinook and coho salmon?

This isn't the first time this corner of our state faced threats from harmful extractive industries. And those who care about clean water, wildlife and quiet recreation haven't always been able to beat back misguided schemes.

In 1994 Congress green-lighted logging without laws with the infamous "salvage rider." When President Bill Clinton signed the salvage rider, many acres of ancient forest in the Siskiyou Wild Rivers were toppled by chainsaws. After the Biscuit Fire of 2002, the Bush administration proposed the single largest logging project in Forest Service history.

Today, the area faces threats both new and old. No doubt, until Oregon'sYellowstone is permanently protected, private special interests will always work to reap a profit from these public lands. That's why Congress should pass Wilderness and Wild & Scenic Rivers legislation for the Siskiyou Wild Rivers. Wilderness designation remains the surest and most lasting way to ensure no further harm comes to this internationally significant landscape.

While Oregon has a green reputation, we don't always live up to it. Nowhere is that more true than when it comes to protecting our natural legacy. Sadly, only 4 percent of the entire state has been permanently protected as wilderness, compared to 10 percent in Washington, 15 percent in California and 8 percent in conservative Idaho.

Protecting Oregon's Yellowstone as wilderness would safeguard amazing salmon runs in the Chetco River, the unparalleled wildflower diversity of Rough and Ready Creek, and the only redwoods in Oregon that grow to a massive 15 feet in diameter.

Luckily, momentum is already building. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with Rep. Peter DeFazio and Gov. Ted Kulongoski have all called for increased protections for this area. In the short term, the Siskiyou Wild Rivers need an immediate timeout on mining so that Congress can address the broader need for wilderness protections. The Obama administration could easily and quickly enforce a mining timeout through an administrative withdrawal for the threatened wilderness areas.

While a timeout on destructive plans for this unique region is certainly necessary, it is but a short-term fix. For the salmon that swim its wild rivers, the rare flowers that bloom only from its unique soils and the many thousands who camp, fish and hike along its trails, wilderness is the long-term solution for the Siskiyou Wild Rivers.

Erik Fernandez is the wilderness coordinator for Oregon Wild.