FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mount Hood Wilderness Protection among first bills to pass new Senate

Legislation to protect the Mount Hood Wilderness passes biggest hurdle, moves to the House

Senate overwhelmingly approves large public lands bill that includes five Wilderness areas in Oregon.

The US Senate approved the highest possible protections today for areas surrounding Mount Hood, passing a package of Wilderness bills by a vote of 73 to 21. Senator Ron Wyden and Senator Jeff Merkley ushered in the 111th Congress by bringing home protection for two state icons, Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge. The Public Lands Omnibus Bill (S.22) would also protect critical wildlife habitat in the Soda Mountain Wilderness, Copper Salmon Wilderness, Spring Basin Wilderness and Badlands Wilderness. The bill now moves on to the House of Representatives where its passage is expected.

“The new congress is already living up to the hopes of the American people by protecting our natural legacy,” said Erik Fernandez, Wilderness Coordinator for the conservation group Oregon Wild. “It took a while to get through the senate, but in the end the vote count shows that there is overwhelming support for protecting Wilderness.” 

“Senator’s Wyden and Merkley deserve praise for protecting two of Oregon’s icons, Mount Hood and the Columbia Gorge,” noted Oregon Wild Conservation Director Steve Pedery. “They understand the importance of protecting the treasures that make Oregon a great place to live, work, and raise a family.”  

Wilderness protections are the most effective way to protect Oregon’s heritage landscape. Wilderness provides clean drinking water, habitat for animals, recreational opportunities, and stores vast amounts of carbon that helps curb global warming.

“Wilderness protection is good news for Oregonians who like clean drinking water and clean air,” noted Erik Fernandez.

The legislation introduced today would protect 202,000 acres in Oregon as Wilderness. Currently only 3.7% of Oregon is protected as Wilderness compared to 14% in California, 11% in Washington and 7.5% in Idaho. New Wilderness designations around Mount Hood and in the Columbia Gorge would safeguard some of the region’s last old-growth forests and pristine watersheds from logging and development, while also ensuring future generations can continue to enjoy these areas through activities like hiking, camping, fishing, and boating.  

Additional information, maps and photos of the proposed Wilderness areas mentioned above are available from Oregon Wild -- contact Erik Fernandez at (503) 283-6343 x202 or e-mail ef@oregonwild.org.

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