Oregonians from across the state thank Sens. Wyden and Merkley for their leadership and urge Congress to pass the bill 

Portland, OR (June 23, 2021) – A statewide coalition of Oregon small business leaders,  anglers, breweries, clean water advocates, veterans, local elected officials, and other community members are applauding the hearing in the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks on the River Democracy Act (S.192). The legislation, introduced earlier this year by Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, would designate rivers across the state as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

The legislation is a direct result of a nomination process where Oregonians recommended their favorite rivers for permanent protection. Senator Wyden’s office received over 15,000 nominations for thousands of miles of rivers from residents across the state and has continued to hear further support from Oregonians during his various town halls across the state. 

Currently, only two percent (2,173 miles) of the state’s 110,000 miles of rivers are protected as Wild and Scenic. The River Democracy Act of 2021 is a testament to Oregonians’ commitment to conservation, healthy living, and outdoor recreation. Some of Oregon’s most iconic rivers have been proposed for designation. Visitors come from near and far to go whitewater rafting, enjoy scenic drives, fishing, hunting, hiking, or trail running along these rivers. Their tributary streams gush cold, clean water that is essential for salmon and their habitat.  

A recent poll found that 87% of likely voters in Oregon supported the expansion of designated Wild and Scenic Rivers, including 75 percent of Republican voters. Additionally, 80 percent said that they would “like to see their representatives in Congress take action to support relevant legislation that strengthens the defense of your state’s rivers and land areas from potentially harmful industrialization and pollution.”

The River Democracy Act of 2021 comes at a critical time during the COVID-19 pandemic as Oregonians have turned to public lands and rivers for their physical, emotional, and mental health. The Senators’ legislation is a recognition of the restorative value of nature, especially during an unprecedented health crisis. In addition, millions of Oregon residents rely on Oregon’s rivers and streams for clean drinking water for their families, farms, and businesses. 

The bill is also a recognition of the role that outdoor recreation, tourism, and other businesses supported by rivers will play in getting local, rural economies back on their feet. Wild and Scenic River designations will protect these waters, while allowing traditional activities like grazing, ranching, hunting, and fishing to continue. Outdoor recreation in the state supports 224,000 jobs, generates $15.6 billion in consumer spending, and contributes $13 billion to the GDP.  

Oregonians thank Senators Wyden and Merkley for their leadership and urge Congress to move this bill forward. 

Regional Background Information and Support for the River Democracy Act 

Central Oregon
In Central Oregon, the Act would protect beloved streams like Tumalo Creek, Whychus Creek, and tributaries of the Crooked River, all of which have benefited from extensive community investments in habitat restoration for native trout, steelhead and salmon.

“As a fishing guide and owner of the Fly Fisher’s Place in Sisters, my livelihood depends on Wild and Scenic Rivers like the Deschutes, Crooked and Metolius. These are challenging times for small business owners, and having access to protected wild rivers is more essential than ever. I applaud Sen. Wyden’s efforts to protect more of our wild waterways, including tributaries of the Deschutes and Metolius Rivers, so that businesses like mine can continue to thrive.
– Jeff Perin, owner of the Flyfishers Place in Sisters.

“Central Oregon is home to several world-class rivers that contribute to our high quality of life. Clean surface and groundwater are fundamentally vital to the health and well being of our community. I support the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and am keen to protect and restore these natural assets for current and future generations, especially in the face of climate change and environmental degradation.”
– Sally Russell, Mayor of Bend 

Northeast Oregon
The River Democracy Act would preserve tributaries of the Snake, Grande Ronde, John Day, and other important waterways in Northeast Oregon. These rivers and streams are a source of clean drinking water for the residents of Baker City, La Grande, and Pendleton. 

Additionally, the Snake River provides tremendous outdoor recreation opportunities from rafting and boating to fishing, hiking, and hunting as it flows through Hells Canyon — North America’s deepest river gorge. The river and its tributaries also provide irrigation water, fish and wildlife habitat, and flow through some of the wildest landscapes in the country.

“There is nothing more rare and wonderful than free-flowing streams and rivers in natural watersheds. I would not live where they are gone. I have been to many states and to many countries on many continents — those natural waters are nearly always gone. Therefore I live and will die in northeast Oregon.”
– Charlie Jones, a retired teacher and Navy Commander in La Grande

Oregon Coast
From meandering streams through quiet old-growth forests like Drift Creek to short, but incredibly scenic streams sheltered by Sitka spruce trees that see thousands of visitors each year like those in the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, the proposed rivers on the Central Oregon Coast offer important scenic, recreational, fisheries, wildlife, and ecological values.  

Additionally, the North Fork of the Siletz River boasts rapids that attract whitewater kayakers from near and far. Its watershed contains the Valley of the Giants, a BLM-designated outstanding natural area with ancient Douglas fir and western hemlock trees, many over 400 years old and over 200 feet tall. 

Millions of Oregon residents rely on Oregon’s rivers and streams for clean drinking water for their families, farms, and businesses. This includes tributaries to the Nestucca River, vital to salmon and other native fish production for the region.   

“I’ve spent my career navigating these unique rivers, helping Oregonians and visitors experience the thrill of catching a wild salmon or steelhead. I strongly support Senator Wyden’s leadership to expand Wild & Scenic River designations along the coast to protect and recover our pristine rivers and preserve access for future generations.”
– Bob Rees, a professional fishing guide of 25 years on the Oregon coast

Southwest Oregon
Southwest Oregon is home to some of the most unique rivers in the state. Anchored by the Rogue, one of the first rivers ever designated as Wild and Scenic, this region also includes gems such as the Umpqua, Illinois, and Chetco. These outstanding rivers and their tributaries support fine runs of Coho and Chinook salmon, steelhead, cutthroat trout, and lamprey, and flow through a biologically diverse landscape hosting botanical hotspots with unique wetlands and rare plants that are found nowhere else on Earth. Flowing to the Pacific, the wild rivers of southwestern Oregon give the region its identity as the “Wild Rivers Coast” and offer outstanding recreation opportunities, ranging from family-friendly fishing, swimming, and camping to adventuring in some of the most remote and untamed creeks in the Lower 48 states. Additionally, residents in the Rogue Valley as well as in Brookings Harbor rely on the exceptionally clear and clean Chetco for their drinking water.

“We are blessed to have these Rivers here in Oregon and all that they do for us. Let us not take them for granted. We are also blessed to have Senator Ron Wyden with his wisdom to stand up for our rivers. I support his effort to add rivers to be included as Wild and Scenic Rivers in Oregon. The river is part of me and I am part of the river.” 
– WWII Veteran and founder of Steamboat Inn, Frank Moore and his wife Jeanne

“South Coast Tours and its guides support the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and all the conservation minded visitors that those designations bring to the south coast of Oregon.  We value our wild rivers so much that we call the southern Oregon coast ‘The Wild Rivers Coast’ where there are more Wild and Scenic Rivers concentrated than anywhere else in the lower 48. Thank you Senator Wyden – we support further designations and rely on those wild river experiences to make us competitive in the tourism industry.”
– Dave Lacey, owner of South Coast Tours in Gold Beach

Umpqua Basin
The Umpqua basin hosts numerous beautiful streams, including the iconic North Umpqua River. This exemplary river and its tributaries are home to some of Oregon’s best runs of Chinook and Coho Salmon, steelhead, cutthroat trout, and lamprey. The Umpqua watershed offers outstanding recreation opportunities, ranging from family-friendly fishing, swimming and camping to adventuring in some of the most remote and untamed creeks in the Lower 48 states. New stream designations will help to protect these cherished values for future generations of anglers and fish. Additionally, the residents in the Umpqua Valley rely on the exceptionally clear and clean drinking water for their families.

“One of the primary reasons I have chosen to live and practice my profession here in southwest Oregon is the incredible diversity and productivity of Oregon’s many rivers and streams.  Designation as a federal Wild and Scenic River will further conserve, protect, and restore the many outstanding values that they feature.  I strongly support Senator Wyden’s proposal to greatly increase the number of designated rivers.”
– Jeffrey J. Dose, Fisheries Biologist, Douglas County resident

Willamette Valley
From pristine spring-fed streams fresh out of the Cascade Mountain wilderness to major rivers that provide the scenic backdrop to major highways and access to some of our favorite playgrounds like the North and South Santiam and Middle Fork Willamette, the proposed rivers that flow into the Willamette Valley offer important scenic, recreational, fisheries, wildlife, and ecological values. 

Additionally, the North Fork Santiam and Breitenbush Rivers are major sources of clean drinking water for Salem and other nearby communities. The McKenzie River and many of its tributaries are the drinking water source for the cities of Springfield, Eugene and other nearby communities. Protecting rivers as Wild and Scenic will ensure that these rivers continue to provide clean drinking water to these communities as well as others throughout the state. 

“Oregon’s storybook rivers draw people from across the world for all of the recreation opportunities they offer. The protection of these rivers and their stream-side environments ensure certainty into the future for river-dependent businesses like The Caddis Fly Angling Shop, and that is why we commend Senator Wyden for introducing legislation to create safeguards for our outstanding, yet unprotected, rivers and streams across the state.”
– Chris Daughters, owner of the Caddis Fly Angling Shop in Eugene

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