Conservationists across Oregon held their breath at the close of 2018, as the Senate nearly passed a public lands package that would have created the 30,000 acre Devil’s Staircase Wilderness, designated over 250 river miles under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, protected the Chetco River from in-stream mining, and established a 100,000 acre Wild Steelhead Special Management Area on the North Umpqua in the name of renowned conservationists Frank and Jeanne Moore. If you didn’t catch the drama as it unfolded on the Senate floor, Zach Urness at the Statesman Journal has a good summary here.
With Senate leadership promising to bring the public lands package back for a vote in January, the need remains for passionate anglers, hunters, hikers, and outdoorspeople of all stripes to keep the pressure on our elected officials. Please take a few minutes to call or email Senator Wyden and Representative DeFazio’s offices to thank them for their leadership and let them know how critical these public lands protections are for all Oregonians!
Just emailed both. Took less than 5 minutes. Thanks for bringing this to my attention