[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 97 (Thursday, June 25, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7086-S7087]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. WYDEN (for himself and Mr. Merkley):
  S. 1369. A bill to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate 
segments of the Molalla River in the State of Oregon, as components of 
the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes; to 
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, today I am introducing a bill to amend the 
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the Molalla River 
as Wild and Scenic. I am pleased to be introducing this legislation 
with my colleague from Oregon, Senator Merkley. This legislation has 
already been introduced by Representative Schrader in the House, who is 
a champion for protecting the river. The Molalla River Wild and Scenic 
Rivers Act of 2009 will designate an approximately 15.1-mile segment of 
the Molalla River, and an approximately 6.2-mile segment of Table Rock 
Fork Molalla River as a recreational river under the Wild and Scenic 
Rivers Act.
  The Molalla River Wild and Scenic Rivers Act protects a popular 
Oregon destination that provides abundant recreational activities all 
of which take place among the abundant wildlife that call this area 
home. The scenic beauty of the Molalla River provides a backdrop for 
hiking, mountain biking, camping, and horseback riding, while the 
waters of the river are a popular destination for fishing, kayaking, 
and whitewater rafting enthusiasts. My bill would not only preserve 
this area as a recreation destination, but would also protect the river 
habitat of the Chinook salmon and Steelhead trout,

[[Page S7087]]

along with the wildlife habitat surrounding the river, home to the 
northern spotted owl, the pileated woodpecker, golden and bald eagles, 
deer, elk, the pacific giant salamander, and many others.
  The Molalla River is not only an important habitat for wildlife and a 
popular northwest recreation destination, but it is also the source of 
clean drinking water for the towns of Molalla and Canby, Oregon. 
Protecting the approximately 21.3 miles of the Molalla River will 
provide the residents of these Oregon towns with the assurance that 
they will continue to receive clean drinking water, and will provide 
all the people of the Pacific Northwest and beyond the knowledge that 
this important natural resource will be preserved for continued 
enjoyment for years to come.
  I want to express my thanks to the Molalla River Alliance--a 
coalition of more than 45 organizations that recognize that this river 
is a jewel. Michael Moody, the President of this Alliance, made sure 
that irrigators, city councilors, the mayor, businesses and 
environmentalists all came together on this. I look forward to working 
with Senator Merkley, Representative Schrader, and the bill's 
supporters to advance this legislation to the President's desk.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 1369

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Molalla River Wild and 
     Scenic Rivers Act''.

     SEC. 2. DESIGNATION OF WILD AND SCENIC RIVER SEGMENTS, 
                   MOLALLA RIVER, OREGON.

       Section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 
     1274(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(208) Molalla river, oregon.--
       ``(A) In general.--The following segments in the State of 
     Oregon, to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior 
     as a recreational river:
       ``(i) Molalla river.--The approximately 15.1-mile segment 
     from the southern boundary line of T. 7 S., R. 4 E., sec. 19, 
     downstream to the edge of the Bureau of Land Management 
     boundary in T. 6 S., R. 3 E., sec. 7.
       ``(ii) Table rock fork molalla river.--The approximately 
     6.2-mile segment from the easternmost Bureau of Land 
     Management boundary line in the NE\1/4\ sec. 4, T. 7 S., R. 4 
     E., downstream to the confluence with the Molalla River.
       ``(B) Withdrawal.--Subject to valid existing rights, the 
     Federal land within the boundaries of the river segments 
     designated by subparagraph (A) is withdrawn from all forms 
     of--
       ``(i) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public 
     land laws;
       ``(ii) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; 
     and
       ``(iii) disposition under all laws relating to mineral and 
     geothermal leasing or mineral materials.
       ``(C) Effect of designation.--
       ``(i) In general.--The designation of the river segments 
     under this paragraph shall not affect valid existing rights 
     (including rights-of-way and easements) in, through,  and to 
     the land designated as part of the Wild and Scenic River 
     System under this paragraph.
       ``(ii) Private land.--  Nothing in this paragraph requires 
     management of private land within the basins of the river 
     segments designated under this paragraph in a manner  
     different than  that required  under State law, including 
     Chapter 527 of the Oregon Revised Statutes.''.
                                 ______