FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Oregon Wilderness Plan Sails Through Senate

Senators again overwhelmingly approve protection for five Wilderness areas in Oregon, including Mount Hood.

Senate passes Oregon Wilderness legislation for Mount Hood, Soda Mountain, Copper Salmon, Spring Basin and the Badlands.

The US Senate today again voted overwhelmingly in favor of new Wilderness protections for Mount Hood and the Columbia Gorge, and a large package of new Wilderness across the nation.  The vote on the Public Lands Omnibus Bill was 77 to 20.

“After years of work, the summit is in sight,” said Erik Fernandez, Wilderness Coordinator for the conservation group Oregon Wild. “With yet another overwhelming showing of bipartisan support in the Senate, and strong support in the House, legislation protecting more of Mount Hood and the Columbia Gorge could arrive on President Obama’s desk within a week.”

The Senate vote comes after a recent Wilderness vote in the House that also garnered overwhelming support – 282 votes – but fell just 2 votes shy of the 2/3rds majority needed under special procedural rules.  The entire Oregon House delegation voted for the measure.  The Senate vote today kicks off a 2nd process, allowing the House to use a simpler procedure where it can pass the bill with a straight majority vote.

“Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley deserve the thanks of all Oregonians who value wildlands, wildlife, and clean water,” noted Oregon Wild Conservation Director Steve Pedery. “By again voting to protect more of the pristine lands around Mount Hood and the Columbia Gorge, they are helping to protect the treasures that make Oregon such a great place to live, work, and raise a family.”  

The Public Lands Omnibus Bill would also protect critical wildlife habitat in the Soda Mountain Wilderness in Southern Oregon, as well as the old-growth forests of the Copper Salmon Wilderness, and the rugged desert landscapes of the Spring Basin Wilderness and Badlands Wilderness. The bill now moves on to the House of Representatives where its passage is expected next week.  Wilderness designation is the strongest level of protection that can be given to public lands in America.  

The legislation passed 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 email ef@oregonwild.org.

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