Rogue River in Oregon needs more protection

Oregon’s Senators hope to add 59,000 acres to wilderness area that includes Rogue River

Bureau of Land Management | Public Domain
Noah Fritzhand

Federal Public Lands Policy Intern

Designated as a “Wilderness Area” by Congress in 1978, the Wild Rogue Wilderness Area, which surrounds Oregon’s Rogue River, comprises 35,806 acres of land known for its steep terrain, razor-sharp ridges, and complex system of canyons.

Hiking one of the many trails in the area you may stumble upon mining relics such as cabin ruins or cemeteries left behind from early gold rush settlers. Additionally, you might spot deer, otters and magnificent old growth trees. The Rogue River that cuts through the wilderness area serves as one of the state’s premier recreational destinations, attracting tens of thousands of visitors, who raft down the river and take advantage of unique opportunities for fishing both Chinook salmon and steelhead. Because there is a healthy fish population, the river also supports predator species including mink, osprey and bald eagles. Walking through the forest you are likely to see towering Douglas firs 100 years and older, ponderosa pine, hardwoods like madrone and oaks, as well as Oregon ash and white alder.

Photo by U.S. Forest Service – Pacific Northwest Region | Public Domain

Although the wilderness designation provides permanent protection for part of the area, the forests in the region have frequently been threatened by logging. The proposed Kelsey-Whisky timber sale of the early 2000s is an example of one such threat. The plan for this sale was to cut down more than 500 acres of old growth trees that were habitat for the critically threatened spotted owl habitat. The plans for logging were only suspended after years of sustained opposition from conservationist organizations.

Photo by Credit: John and Karen Hollingsworth/USFWS; California spotted owl, Credit: Rick Kuyper/USFWS; Mexican spotted owl, Credit: Shaula Hedwall/USFW | Public Domain

In a world where we are increasingly learning of the widespread nature of PFAS pollution, also known as “forever chemicals”, Oregon’s Rogue River brings good news. In a 2022 effort where 113 waterkeeper organizations in 34 states tested their waterways for PFAS chemicals, it was found that the “downstream” sample from the Rogue River didn’t contain detectable PFAS and the “upstream” sample contained “a very small detection of one single PFAS” chemical. Keeping these important waterways and adjacent forest ecosystems free of PFAS and other harmful pollution is essential for building a sustainable future and requires immediate action by Congress.

Senator Wyden reintroduced the Oregon Recreation Enhancement Act in February. The bill expands the wilderness area by approximately 59,512 acres, including the land in the Zane Grey Roadless Area. This would permanently remove this land from threats from mining drilling, logging, motorized vehicles and road construction.

We need to stand up to protect our nation’s forests from logging, mining, manufacturing, and other damaging processes. One way to do that is to support the Oregon Recreation Enhancement Act. Let’s fight to add more wild to the Wild Rogue Wilderness.

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Authors

Ellen Montgomery

Director, Public Lands Campaign, Environment America

Ellen runs campaigns to protect America's beautiful places, from local beachfronts to remote mountain peaks. She sits on the Steering Committee of the Arctic Defense Campaign and co-coordinates the Climate Forests Campaign. Ellen previously worked as the organizing director for Environment America’s Climate Defenders campaign and managed grassroots campaign offices across the country. Ellen lives in Denver, where she likes to hike in Colorado's mountains.

Noah Fritzhand

Federal Public Lands Policy Intern