[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 26 (Thursday, February 17, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S906-S907]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. WYDEN (for himself and Mr. Merkley):
  S. 403. 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 designate 
segments of Oregon's Molalla River as Wild and Scenic. I am pleased to 
be joined in the Senate in introducing this legislation with my 
colleague from Oregon, Senator Merkley. This legislation is also being 
introduced today by Representative Schrader in the House of 
Representatives. He has been a champion for protecting the river. My 
colleagues previously joined me in the effort to protect this Oregon 
gem by introducing this bill in the last Congress. The Molalla River 
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act will amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act 
and 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.

[[Page S907]]

  The Molalla River Wild and Scenic Rivers Act would protect a popular 
Oregon destination that provides abundant recreational activities that 
help fuel the recreation economy that is so important to the 
communities along the river. 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, 
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 would like to reiterate my continued appreciation for the Molalla 
River Alliance--a coalition of more than 45 organizations that 
recognize that this river is a jewel and have set out to protect it. 
Michael Moody, the President of this Alliance, made sure that 
irrigators, city councilors, the mayor, businesses and 
environmentalists all came together on this. These are the kind of 
collaborative home grown solutions that Oregonians are best at. I look 
forward to working with Senator Merkley, Representative Schrader, and 
the bill's supporters to advance this legislation to the President's 
desk.
                                 ______