UPDATE: 3.30.09 - At 12:00 pm PST, President Barack Obama signed the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act (HR 146) into law, marking the final step for expanded Wilderness protections in Oregon. The legislation protects Wilderness for Mount Hood, Copper Salmon, Soda Mountain, Spring Basin and Badlands.

3.25.09 - The Omnibus Public Lands Management Act (HR 146) cleared its final congressional hurdle today, with an overwhelming 285-140 vote. The measure now heads to the President's desk for his signature.

3.19.09 - The US Senate voted today 77 - 20 in favor of protecting Wilderness in Oregon. The bill will likely be voted on and finalized by the House next week. The legislation will protect Wilderness for Mount Hood, Copper Salmon, Soda Mountain, Spring Basin and Badlands.

3.11.09 - The US House of Representatives voted today 282 - 144 in favor of protecting Wilderness in Oregon(all of Oregon's members voted in support). Unfortunately that was 2 votes short of the required 2/3rd's majority under procedural hurdles. The bill will likely be voted on again next week. The legislation would protect Wilderness for Mount Hood, Copper Salmon, Soda Mountain, Spring Basin and Badlands.

2.19.09 - Last month the US Senate passed Wilderness protections for Oregon and the US House of Representatives will likely vote to finalize those protections soon. The legislation would protect Wilderness for Mount Hood, Copper Salmon, Soda Mountain, Spring Basin and Badlands.

UPDATE 2.9.09 - Last month the US Senate passed Wilderness protections for Oregon and on Wednesday(2.11.09, 9am PST)) the US House of Representatives will vote to finalize those protections.  The legislation would protect 127,000 acres of Wilderness around Mount Hood and in the Columbia Gorge.  Mount Hood proposal map(pdf).

UPDATE: 1.15.09 - The US Senate passed new Wilderness protections for Oregon today with overwhelming support 73-21.  The legislation would protect Wilderness for Mount Hood, Copper Salmon, Soda Mountain, Spring Basin and Badlands. The bill now goes to the House.

1.11.09 - The US Senate voted on Sunday to end the filibuster attempt by Senator Coburn of Oklahoma and to move forward with Wilderness protection for Oregon. The next step will be one final vote in the senate and then it needs to pass the House which should be a smoother process. The legislation would protect Wilderness for Mount Hood, Copper Salmon, Soda Mountain, Spring Basin and Badlands.

(Jan. 7, 2009) - The US Senate reintroduced legislation that would protect Wilderness for Mount Hood, Copper Salmon, Soda Mountain, Spring Basin and Badlands. The Senate has also scheduled a final vote for Jan. 11. The bill would then need to be passed by the US House and signed by the President, both of which are expected to be fairly smooth.

11.20.2008 Congress has adjourned until 2009. The Senate has stated it will take up the national public lands bill in the first weeks of congress next year. Protections for Mount Hood, Copper Salmon, Soda Mountain, Spring Basin and Badlands is included in the national bill.

10.3.2008 - Congress has adjourned until after the elections. The Senate has stated it will come back for a lame-duck session Nov. 17th, but there are no guarantees. Mount Hood, Copper Salmon, Soda Mountain, Spring Basin and Badlands are on a very short list of bills that would be dealt with in the lame duck.

9.11.2008 - Oregon's congressional delegation moves bill to protect over 200 sq miles around Mount Hood and the Columbia Gorge. See Oregon Wild press release. Mount Hood proposal map(pdf), proposal outline.  Previous updates.

6.18.2008: Oregon's congressional delegation introduce bill to protect the Rogue River, Oregon Caves National Monument and Mount Hood. See Oregon Wild press release here.

4.1.2008: Congressmen Peter DeFazio and Earl Blumenauer announced plans to protect several "Oregon treasures" including Mount Hood, the Wild Rogue and the Oregon Caves. Mount Hood proposal map(pdf), proposal outline.  Previous updates.

3.20.2008: Oregon Wild was joined by businesses and elected officials in inviting Senator Coburn to tour Mount Hood. Letter, press release.

Feb 28, 2008: Senator's Wyden and Smith brought the Mount Hood bill to the floor of the senate in an attempt to have the senate vote on the plan. Unfortunately Senator Coburn (R, Oklahoma) put a "hold" on the bill and stopped them in their tracks. Wyden and Smith have stated they will attempt a full vote asap to pass the bill and get around the hold. Oregonian editorial, Oregonian story. Map, bill (pdf)

February 24, 2008: Governor Kulongoski announces statewide vision for Wilderness (Opinion piece, details). 

Jan 1, 2008: The Lewis and Clark Mount Hood Wilderness Act of 2007 (new bill # SB 2180) has been combined with a number of other bills and is awaiting a final vote on the senate floor. Press Release, map, bill (pdf).

July 25, 2007: The Lewis and Clark Mount Hood Wilderness Act of 2007 passed out of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources today. Press Release. This clears the way for passage out of the Senate this summer.

May 3, 2007: The Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests held a hearing on the Lewis and Clark Mount Hood Wilderness Act of 2007 S. 647 (145k pdf). Press Release.

April 20, 2007: The Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests will hold a hearing on the "Lewis and Clark Mount Hood Wilderness Act of 2007" S. 647 (145k pdf) on May 3rd at 2:30 PM EST.

February 15, 2007: Senator Wyden and Smith introduced the "Lewis and Clark Mount Hood Wilderness Act of 2007" S. 647 (145k pdf). Click to see Oregon Wild's press release, Oregonian story, proposal map, detailed maps.

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