[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 24 (Thursday, February 14, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S780-S782]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. WYDEN (for himself and Mr. Merkley):
  S. 352. A bill to provide for the designation of the Devil's 
Staircase Wilderness Area in the State of Oregon, to designate segments 
of Wasson and Franklin Creeks in the State of Oregon as wild rivers, 
and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources.
  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, today I rise to re-introduce three bills 
that will better protect unique and important areas in the beautiful 
state of Oregon. Two of these passed out of the Senate Energy and 
Natural Resources Committee the last two Congresses. I am pleased to 
again be joined on these bills with my colleague from Oregon, Senator 
MerklEy. I look forward to working with Senator Merkley, other 
colleagues and other supporters of the bills to keep up the fight for 
these special places in Oregon.
  The first bill I am introducing--the Oregon Caves Revitalization Act 
of 2013--will enhance the existing Oregon Caves National Monument to 
protect this majestic site for future generations. The bill expands the 
boundary of the National Park Service land to create the Oregon Caves 
National Monument and Preserve.
  A Presidential Proclamation in 1909 established 480 acres of natural 
wonder as the Oregon Caves National Monument in the botanically-rich 
Siskiyou Mountains. At the time, the focus was on the unique subsurface 
resources, and the small, rectangular boundary was thought to be 
adequate to protect the cave. However, scientific research has since 
provided much greater insight into the cave's ecology and its 
hydrological processes, for which 480 acres is inadequate. The National 
Park Service formally proposed boundary modification numerous times--in 
1939, 1949, and 2000.
  My bill expands protections in and around the Oregon Caves National 
Monument. The entirety of the Cave Creek Watershed would be included in 
the park site, transferring management of 4,070 acres of United States 
Forest Service land to the National Park Service. Hunters will still 
have recreational access to this land since it will be designated a 
Preserve.
  And the expansion of the Monument's boundary would be incomplete

[[Page S781]]

without protecting the water that enters the cave so as to preserve the 
cave's resources. My legislation would designate at least 9.6 miles of 
rivers and tributaries as Wild, Scenic, or Recreational, under the 
federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act--including the first Wild and Scenic 
subterranean river, the ``River Styx.'' A perennial stream, the River 
Styx--an underground portion of Cave Creek--flows through part of the 
cave and is one of the dynamic natural forces at work in the National 
Monument. In addition, this bill would authorize the retirement of 
existing grazing allotments. The current grazing permitee, Phil 
Krouse's family, has had the Big Grayback Grazing Allotment, 19,703 
acres, since 1937. Mr. Krouse has publicly stated that he would look 
favorably upon retirement with private compensation for his allotment, 
which my legislation will allow to proceed.
  The Oregon Caves National Monument offers important contributions to 
Southern Oregon and the nation. The cave ecosystem provides habitat for 
one of the highest concentrations of biological diversity anywhere. And 
as the longest marble cave open to the public west of the Continental 
Divide, the Monument receives over 80,000 visitors annually. A larger 
Monument boundary will help showcase more fully the recreational 
opportunities on the above-ground lands within the proposed Monument 
boundary.
  I want to express my thanks to the conservation and business 
communities of southern Oregon, who have worked diligently to protect 
these lands and waters.
  My second bill is the Devil's Staircase Wilderness Act of 2013. Under 
this bill, approximately 30,500 acres of rugged, wild, pristine, and 
remote land surrounding the Wasson Creek area will be designated 
wilderness. In fact the area is so rugged that federal land managers 
have withdrawn this landslide-prone forest from all timber activity 
numerous times. At the heart of this coastal rainforest lies Devil's 
Staircase, a crystal clear waterfall that cascades over slab after slab 
of sandstone. The Devil's Staircase proposal typifies what Wilderness 
in Oregon is all about.
  The proposed Devil's Staircase Wilderness is the finest old-growth 
forest remaining in Oregon's Coast Range, boasting huge Douglas-fir, 
cedar and hemlock. The ecological significance of this treasure is as 
clear as the water running through Devil's Staircase. The land is 
protected as a Late-Successional Reserve by the Northwest Forest Plan, 
as critical habitat for the northern spotted owl and marbled murrelet, 
and as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern by the Bureau of Land 
Management. Preserving these majestic forests as Wilderness for their 
wildlife and spectacular scenery not only matches the goals of the 
existing land management plans but also permanently protects this 
natural gem for future generations. The wilderness designation is 
needed to protect these areas permanently.
  My bill would not only protect the forests surrounding Wasson Creek 
but would also designate approximately 4.5 miles of Franklin Creek and 
approximately 10.1 miles of Wasson Creek as Wild and Scenic Rivers. 
Franklin Creek, a critically important tributary to the Umpqua River, 
is one of the best examples of pristine salmon habitat left in Oregon. 
Together with Wasson Creek, these two streams in the Devil's Staircase 
area deserve Wild and Scenic River designation by Congress.
  The third bill I am introducing is the Oregon Treasures Act of 2013. 
This bill seeks to provide protections for five significant areas in 
Oregon. They are the Chetco River, the Molalla River, the Rogue River, 
and Horse Heaven and Cathedral Rock. Each of these parts of the bill 
aim to protect natural treasures in Oregon, preserve them for use and 
enjoyment for generations to come, and build upon the economic 
opportunities they provide for their local communities.
  The Oregon Treasures Act of 2013 includes a provision to protect two 
of Oregon's natural treasures, Cathedral Rock and Horse Heaven. This 
wilderness designation has been introduced in the two most recent 
Congresses. The Cathedral Rock and Horse Heaven wilderness proposal 
will do more than simply protect these areas. It will also help 
Oregon's economy, because visitors from all over the world come to my 
state to experience firsthand the unique scenic beauty of place like 
the lands preserved by this bill.
  This legislation will consolidate what is currently a splintered 
ownership of land in this area and protect 17,340 acres of new 
Wilderness along the Lower John Day River. The fractured land ownership 
in this area makes it difficult for visitors to fully appreciate these 
areas when they hike, fish or hunt there because of the scattered and 
misunderstood lines of private and public ownership. This bill will 
solve that problem and make these lands more inviting to visitors while 
giving the landowners more contiguous property to call home.
  The area in question is stunning. The Cathedral Rock and Horse Heaven 
Wilderness proposals encompass dramatic basalt cliffs and rolling hills 
of juniper, sagebrush and native grasses. These new areas build on the 
desert Spring Basin Wilderness that was established in 2009 as a result 
of legislation I introduced, and are located directly across the John 
Day River from Spring Basin.
  With 500 miles of undammed waters, the John Day River is the second-
longest free-flowing river in the continental United States and is a 
place that is cherished by Oregonians. The Lower John Day Wild and 
Scenic River offers world-class opportunities for outdoor recreation as 
well as crucial wildlife habitat for elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep and 
native fish such as salmon and steelhead trout. Through land 
consolidation between public and private landowners, this legislation 
will allow for better management and easier public access for this 
important natural treasure. With the current fragmentation of public 
and private land ownership in the area, river campsites are limited. 
Many federal lands among them can't be reached by the hikers, campers 
and other outdoors recreationists who could most appreciate them. With 
the equal-value land exchanges included in this bill, public lands 
would be consolidated into two new Wilderness areas. This would enhance 
public safety, improve land management, and increase public access and 
recreational opportunities. I want to recognize that some have raised 
concerns about the lack of roaded access to Cathedral Rock. I have 
engaged the private landowners on this issue to seek a solution. 
Whatever the outcome, I do know that the Cathedral Rock and Horse 
Heaven proposal will create an incredible, new heritage for public 
lands recreationists who are an important factor in keeping Oregon's 
economy healthy and thriving.
  Rafters of the John Day River can attest to the need for more 
campsites and public access to the Cathedral Rock area. Backcountry 
hunters will be able to scan the hillsides for elk, deer and game-birds 
without having to worry about accidentally trespassing on someone's 
private land. Anglers will be able to access nearly 5 miles of the John 
Day River that today are only reachable from privately owned lands. 
Likewise, such a solution ensures that local landowners can manage 
their lands effectively without running across unwitting trespassers.
  One good example of the value of these land swaps is Young Life's 
Washington Family Ranch. This Ranch is home to a Christian youth camp 
that welcomes over 20,000 kids to the lower John Day area each year. 
This bill sets out private and public land boundaries that can be 
clearly seen on the ground and these boundaries create a safer area for 
campers on the Ranch; this serves the children who visit the area well 
and ensures the continued viability of the Ranch, which, in turn, 
provides big economic dividends to the local community.
  The Cathedral Rock and Horse Heaven Wilderness proposal is described 
as ``win-win-win'' by many stakeholders--nearly five miles of new river 
access for the public and protected land for outdoor enthusiasts; 
better management for private landowners and public agencies; and 
important habitat protections for sensitive and endangered species. 
This proposal is an example of the positive solutions that can result 
when varied, bipartisan interests in a community come together to craft 
solutions that will work for everyone. I especially want to thank the 
Oregon Natural Desert Association, Young Life, and Matt Smith for their 
role in developing this collaborative solution

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that will benefit all Oregonians. The Cathedral Rock and Horse Heaven 
Wilderness areas will help make sure that this rural area will enjoy 
the benefits that permanently connecting these disparate pieces of 
natural landscape will bring for generations to come.

  Additionally the Oregon Treasures Act protects the Chetco River. For 
over a decade, I've advocated for protections for the Chetco and other 
threatened waterways in Southwest Oregon. Part of the Oregon Treasures 
Act of 2013 would withdraw about three miles of the Chetco River from 
mineral entry, while upgrading the designations for some portions.
  This river is under persistent threat from out-of-state suction 
dredge miners. In 2010, the group American Rivers listed the Chetco as 
the seventh most endangered river in the country because of those 
threats. Withdrawing these portions of the river from future mineral 
entry will prevent future harmful mining claims and make sure that 
those claims that already exist are valid.
  The Chetco is also hugely important for salmon habitat and local 
sport fishing. The passage of this legislation would mean protecting 
that habitat, and promoting the continued success of the fishing 
industry throughout the West Coast. I am pleased the Obama 
administration has taken some steps to protect this area, but the 
passage of this legislation is needed to ensure long-term protection 
for this important river.
  Next, the Oregon Treasures Act of 2013 would add 60,000 acres of new 
wilderness to the existing Wild Rogue Wilderness. The Wild Rogue 
Wilderness expansion would protect habitat for bald eagles, osprey, 
spotted owls, bear, elk, cougar, wild coho, wild Chinook, wild 
steelhead, green sturgeon, and many others. The Wild Rogue Wilderness 
and the Rogue River that runs through it embody one of the nation's 
premier recreation destinations, famous for the free flowing waters 
which provide numerous rafting and fishing opportunities.
  The headwaters of the Rogue River start in one of Oregon's other 
great gems--Crater Lake National Park--and the river ultimately empties 
into the Pacific Ocean, near Gold Beach on Oregon's southwest coast. 
Along that stretch, the Rogue River flows through one of the most 
spectacular canyons and diverse natural areas in the United States. The 
Rogue River is a world class rafting river, offering everything from 
one day trips to week long trips through deep forested canyons. On the 
land, the Rogue River trail is also one of Oregon's most renowned 
backpacking routes.
  The legislation would also protect an additional 143 miles of 
tributaries that feed the Rogue River with cold clean water. Of that 
number, 93 miles would be designated Wild and Scenic Rivers and an 
additional 50 miles would be protected from mining. The areas receiving 
protection include Galice Creek, Little Windy Creek, Jenny Creek, Long 
Gulch and 36 other tributaries of the Rogue. The Rogue River is one of 
Oregon's most iconic and beloved rivers. It is a river that teems with 
salmon leaping up rapids to spawn, and finds rafters down those very 
same rapids at other times of the year.
  I previously introduced legislation to protect the Rogue River 
tributaries in the last three Congresses. Since it was first 
introduced, I have worked with the timber industry and conservationists 
to find a compromise that protects one of America's treasures with 
additional wilderness designations and more targeted protections for 
the Rogue's tributaries. I am pleased that 95 local businesses--and 
over 120 organizations and business in total--support protecting the 
Wild Rogue, and that support grows every day. Many of those businesses 
directly benefit from the Wild Rogue and the Rogue River. As I often 
say, protecting these gems is not just good for the environment, but 
also good for the economy. These protected landscapes are powerhouses 
of the recreation economy that draws visitors from around the world to 
this region and the Rogue River is one of Oregon's most important sport 
and commercial fisheries. The Wild Rogue is the second largest salmon 
fishery in Oregon behind the Columbia. The Wild Rogue provides the 
quality of life and recreational opportunities that create an economic 
engine that attracts businesses and brings in tourists from around the 
world. The Rogue River supports more than 400 local jobs in nearby 
communities like Grants Pass.
  By protecting the Wild Rogue landscape and the tributaries that feed 
the mighty Rogue River, Congress will ensure that future generations 
can raft, fish, hike and enjoy the Wild Rogue as it is enjoyed today 
and that the recreational economy of this region remains strong.
  Lastly, there is another provision in the bill to designate segments 
of Oregon's Molalla River as Wild and Scenic. An approximately 15.1-
mile segment of the Molalla River and an approximately 6.2-mile segment 
of Table Rock Fork Molalla River would be designated as a recreational 
river under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
  Including these river segments 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. This legislation 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 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.
  I would like to reiterate my continued appreciation for the Molalla 
River Alliance--a coalition of more than 48 member-organizations that 
recognize that this river is a jewel and have set out to protect it. 
This Alliance made sure that irrigators, city councilors, the mayor, 
businesses and environmentalists all came together on this.
  Oregon's wildlands play an increasingly important role in the 
economic development of our state, especially in traditionally rural 
areas east of the Cascades. Visitors come from thousands of miles away 
to hike, fish, raft and hunt in Oregon's desert Wilderness. Beyond 
tourism, the rich quality of life and the diverse natural amenities 
that we enjoy as Oregonians are key to attracting new businesses to 
Oregon. And with all these bills, I express my gratitude for the many 
groups and individuals who have worked diligently to protect these 
special places. I look forward to working with Senator Merkley, 
Representative DeFazio, Representative Schrader and other colleagues 
and the bill's other supporters to keep up the fight for these unique 
places in Oregon and get these pieces of legislation to the President's 
desk for his signature.
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