[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 17 (Thursday, February 24, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 OPAL CREEK FOREST PRESERVE ACT OF 1994

                                 ______


                        HON. MICHAEL J. KOPETSKI

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 24, 1994

  Mr. KOPETSKI. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to 
establish the Opal Creek Forest Preserve in the Detroit Ranger District 
of the Willamette National Forest, OR.
  Mr. Speaker, Opal Creek is, plain and simple, among the crown jewels 
of Northwest old-growth forests. Old-growth forests are unique 
ecosystems serving as critical wildlife habitat for hundreds of 
vertebrate and invertebrate animals, plants, and fungi. Old-growth 
forests provide clean and plentiful water. This is the water which 
supports the streams where wild runs of salmon and other anadromous and 
resident cold water fish are wholly dependent on high quantity and high 
quality water for migration, spawning, and rearing.
  Old-growth forests also provide unique and outstanding opportunities 
for educational study, scientific research, and recreation. The 
establishment of an old-growth preserve at Opal Creek will contribute 
significantly to the quality of life for the residents of Oregon and my 
great State's many visitors.
  The area containing what is known as the Opal Creek forest is one of 
the largest remaining intact low elevation old-growth forest ecosystems 
in the Western Oregon Cascades. Opal Creek forest contains outstanding 
geological and botanical features, including trees up to 1,000 years of 
age, and is significant to the aboriginal and early mining history of 
Oregon. The Opal Creek forest area includes four lakes, 45 miles of 
free-flowing streams, 50 waterfalls, and according to the most recent 
figures provides recreational opportunities for more than 12,000 
visitors annually. Opal Creek forest's recreational use is increasing 
at a rate in excess of 50 percent per year.
  Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, Opal Creek forest continue to be 
threatened by additional logging, which will cause irreparable harm to 
the outstanding ecological, scientific, educational, and recreational 
values of the area. for too long, this area has been left in limbo, 
with the continual threat of logging hanging like a storm cloud on the 
horizon of this gift of nature. Planning for educational and 
recreational use of the area does not go forward as long as timber 
harvests remain a possibility.
  The battle over Opal Creek has divided the community: it is time to 
end this war. Environmentalists want Opal Creek preserved. Many in the 
timber industry recognize that if the Forest Service offered a sale of 
Opal Creek forest timber, it would be challenged immediately in court, 
and never be consummated. I have taken great pains to work with the 
U.S. Forest Service, representatives for the environmental community, 
members of the timber community, as well as a mining interest whose 
operations within the preserve area are approved. This legislation 
makes certain the interests of all are protected, and I would like to 
emphasize that the mining operation provides 80 quality jobs for the 
people in the region. My office has spent considerable energy ensuring 
that this venture will go forward in a manner consistent with this 
legislation's primary objective.
  In this legislation I have tried to address all facets of Opal Creek, 
in order to ensure a pristine area safe in perpetuity. The area will be 
protected so that the residents of Oregon's 5th district, OR, and the 
rest of the Nation will have an opportunity to learn about, and 
experience first-hand, the ecological significance of virgin, 
coniferous forests. In short, Mr. Speaker, this legislation represents 
a balanced approach to ensure that a unique, pristine area is forever 
protected from logging activity.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I urge the expeditious consideration of this 
important measure.

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