The River Democracy Act would protect these values, and more, for over 3200 miles of rivers across Oregon, including dozens within the McKenzie River basin. Read on to learn more about this key Oregon watershed and how the River Democracy Act would safeguard it and the communities that rely on it for generations to come.

Outdoor Recreation

Whether it’s rafting or fishing on the river itself, mountain biking the famous McKenzie River Trail, or enjoying the view of one of the river’s many waterfalls during a hike, there’s no shortage of outdoor adventure to be had here.

Recreation Spotlight: McKenzie River Trail

The McKenzie River Trail is a 24-mile-long trail that starts near the headwaters of the McKenzie River at Clear Lake and ends just upstream of the community of McKenzie Bridge. The trail is popular for both hiking and mountain biking. 

Mountain bikers will find technical riding over sharp lava rock, flowing downhill single track through old-growth Douglas fir forests, and dazzling views of waterfalls and the aquamarine waters of the McKenzie. Most of the trail is located within the current McKenzie River Wild & Scenic corridor, but the last 5 miles of the trail is unprotected. When passed, the River Democracy Act would add protections to these last 5 miles. 

Popular hikes include the 4-mile round-trip hike to Blue Pool/Tamolitch Falls and the 2.4-mile Sahalie and Koosah Falls loop.

Wildlife Habitat

The McKenzie River watershed is home to a wide variety of native species, including threatened and endangered species such as Chinook salmon and steelhead, northern spotted owls, and bulltrout.

Wildlife Spotlight: Bull Trout

Bull trout, like many other members of the salmonid family, begin their lives in cold, clear streams, feeding on small aquatic invertebrates. As these fish mature, they either migrate out of their home stream to larger streams and rivers or lakes and reservoirs, or remain in the stream where they hatched. The migratory bull trout tend to become much larger than their resident counterparts—sometimes growing as long as 40 inches and heavier than 30 pounds. Unlike Pacific salmon species that spawn once and die, bull trout will spawn multiple times in their lifetime. Migratory bull trout may migrate multiple times between spawning streams and their large river rearing habitats. Bull trout can be recognized by their particularly large, broad head and their dark olive or brown color with lighter yellowish spots. In Oregon, bull trout were historically found in streams in the Klamath basin, the Columbia and Snake Rivers and their major tributaries, and the Willamette River and its major tributaries on the west side of the Cascades.

This threatened fish has some very specific habitat requirements, and when they aren’t met, it can be disastrous for bull trout populations. Their physiology dictates that they need cold water (no higher than 60° F) to survive, as well as for the survival of their eggs. A river environment with low silt is equally important, with a gravelly bottom and plenty of protective habitat such as overhanging brush. Unfortunately, human activities such as logging have been steadily spoiling prime bull trout habitat. Logging and road building lead to siltation in rivers, lowering stream quality and raising water temperature, both of which lower the viability of eggs and hatchlings. Other threats, such as impassable dams, sometimes keep bull trout from spawning at all. Non-native brook trout also present a threat due to competition for food. In order to ensure the survival of this sensitive fish, it’s necessary that roadless areas be maintained and the fight for clean water continues.

Drinking Water

Over 200,000 people living in the Eugene-Springfield area rely on the McKenzie watershed for clean drinking water. 

Intact, forested watersheds, especially those flowing through public lands, play a critical role in ensuring the quality and quantity of our water sources. These natural ecosystems act as invaluable sponges, absorbing, filtering, and gradually releasing water, contributing to the consistent flow of clean water to downstream communities.

The McKenzie River watershed is an excellent example of this natural phenomenon in action. At its headwaters, snowmelt, glacial thaw, and underground springs merge to form the mountain streams that feed the McKenzie. These streams flow through designated Wilderness areas, Roadless Areas, and mature and old-growth forests, depositing consistent, cold, clean water into the mainstem McKenzie River.

On the other hand, researchers have documented a direct correlation between industrial logging and increased flooding and peak flows.  Without a healthy forest ecosystem in place to absorb and slow the release of water, rain and melting snow tend to run off of heavily logged forests much faster. That run-off causes erosion, carrying with it large quantities of sediment and debris that reduce water quality and can cause problems for water filtration systems and fish habitat further downstream. 

The quick run-off during winter and spring storms also means there is less water available during the dry summer months when water demand is higher and supplies are lower. Oregon State University scientists have found that clear-cut plantation forestry can reduce water levels during summer months by 50% when compared to adjacent, unlogged old-growth watersheds.

Threats to this watershed

Despite the importance of intact, mature and old-growth forests for outdoor recreation, wildlife habitat, and clean drinking water, much of the forests in the McKenzie River watershed have been heavily logged and remain open to logging.

Aggressive commercial logging projects, such as the planned (and withdrawn) Flat Country timber sale, pose a significant threat to the mature forests and headwater streams of this area and all the important values they provide. 

The Flat Country sale was withdrawn due to widespread public opposition and potential devastating environmental impacts. This project would have logged 1,000 acres of trees between 98-170 years old within the vicinity of important McKenzie watershed headwater streams such as Anderson Creek and Olallie Creek. Without permanent protections, these forests and streams remain at risk. 

The Trump Administration has also recently announced that it aims to roll back the 2001 Roadless Rule, jeopardizing 58 million acres of intact, backcountry National Forest lands. In Oregon, the rule protects nearly 2 million acres of Oregon’s forests from destructive logging, road building, and development. In the McKenzie watershed, this includes thousands of acres of wild, old-growth forest surrounding the river’s headwaters.

The River Democracy Act

The River Democracy Act, co-sponsored by Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, would designate dozens of miles of the McKenzie River and other important tributaries in the watershed as Wild & Scenic Rivers, providing additional safeguards for water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and backcountry recreation opportunities. 

Streams in the watershed proposed for protection include the 15 miles of the mainstem McKenzie River, the South Fork McKenzie River, Blue River, Horse Creek, Lost Creek, Deer Creek, Olallie Creek, and Anderson Creek. 

Destructive activities like mining and dam building are prohibited in and along Wild & Scenic Rivers, and other projects like commercial logging and road-building that negatively impact the landscape are tightly regulated so as to not degrade the river and river values. The River Democracy Act extends these safeguards a half-mile from each river bank, offering enhanced protections for critical waterways.

Take Action

The River Democracy Act is currently making its way through Congress, but it needs your help getting across the finish line! Take action today and help protect the McKenzie River watershed and hundreds of other Oregon waterways by signing on as a Citizen Co-sponsor and urging your members of Congress to pass the River Democracy Act!

The post River Democracy Act Highlights: McKenzie River Watershed appeared first on Oregon Wild.

PORTLAND, OR — A budget reconciliation proposal introduced by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), Chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, to sell off millions of acres of public lands across the West, including in Oregon, was removed. Oregon Wild released the following statement:

The news that Senator Mike Lee’s proposal to sell off America’s public lands has been removed from the Senate reconciliation bill is a major victory for the American people and the millions across the country who stood up in defense of our shared natural heritage.

This win belongs to the public. Hunters, anglers, hikers, tribal communities, rural residents, conservation advocates, and many more joined together to send a clear message: our public lands are not for sale.

But let’s be clear: Senator Lee’s statement makes it evident that he’s not done trying to sell our public lands. However, he has unintentionally helped build a stronger, more unified movement to defend public lands. We’ll be ready when he tries again.

While this development is worth celebrating, the broader reconciliation bill still poses serious threats to our environment, to vulnerable communities, and to the future of public lands. It remains a massive transfer of wealth from everyday Americans to billionaires and should be rejected.

We urge everyone who spoke out to stop this land sell-off to keep going. Call your Representative and tell them to vote down this harmful bill.

The post Public Lands Sell-Off Proposal Pulled from Reconciliation Bill appeared first on Oregon Wild.

A biological wonder

Rough and Ready Creek is one of the most extraordinary watersheds in Oregon. It is a biodiversity hotspot for rare and endemic plants found nowhere else on earth. In fact the area has more plant diversity than anywhere else in Oregon. The waters here run crystal clear, even during winter storms and high flows. 

This impressive botanical biodiversity and water quality are thanks to the area’s unique geology and hydrology. When you first lay eyes on the Rough and Ready floodplain, you will find it almost desert-like with shrubs, bunchgrasses, a variety of wildflowers, and a few sparse pine trees scattered about. You may be surprised to learn that this area often receives over 100 inches of annual rainfall! Moist Douglas fir forests can be found just a few hundred yards away.

The floodplain is characterized by serpentine soils, which quickly drain (leaving the soil very dry relative to the amount of rainfall it receives) and contain heavy metals and low nutrient availability. As a result, highly specialized plant species have adapted to survive here, including many that are not found anywhere else in the world. This geology, combined with the area’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean, has resulted in an exceptional diversity of one-of-a-kind landscapes, ancient wetlands, and some of the last native grasslands on the West Coast.

In addition to rare and endemic plant species, fish and wildlife also thrive here. Native chinook salmon, steelhead, and cutthroat trout have adapted to the creek’s naturally high summer water temperatures, and rare yellow-legged frogs flourish in this pristine habitat.

Siskiyou Mat, Azure Penstemon, and Scytheleaf Onion are among the unique plant species that have specialized to thrive in the serpentine soils of Rough and Ready Creek in southern Oregon.

Threats to this watershed

However, the watershed’s unique geology has also made it a target for the mining industry, threatening its water quality and ecological integrity. The soils here contain low-grade nickel laterite, which, if mined, would result in irreparable harm from smelter construction and operation, water pollution, road building, and surface and strip mining. It would devastate the many values of this watershed and impact nearby communities downstream along the Illinois River.

Rough and Ready Creek could also be degraded by the invasive Port Orford Cedar root disease if roads and mining are allowed. Rough and Ready Creek is one of the few watersheds in southern Oregon that is not yet infested with this disease, and its high botanical diversity values remain intact.

Proposals to protect Rough and Ready Creek

The River Democracy Act, co-sponsored by Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, would designate 13 miles of streams in the Rough and Ready watershed as National Wild & Scenic Rivers, protecting important values such as biological diversity, fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, and outdoor recreation opportunities. 

The Oregon Recreation Enhancement (ORE) Act, also co-sponsored by Senators Wyden and Merkley, is another bill that would protect Rough and Ready Creek and other nearby watersheds from new destructive mining claims. The bill would also expand the Wild Rogue Wilderness. 

Both of these bills are making their way through Congress and need your help to get across the finish line! Take action for Rough and Ready Creek and other watersheds across Oregon by signing on as a Citizen Co-sponsor of the River Democracy and urging your members of Congress to pass the ORE Act.

If you visit

The easiest way to visit Rough and Ready Creek and experience its unique wonders is to walk the short trail at the Rough and Ready Botanical Wayside, located off the Redwoods Highway a few miles south of Cave Junction. Here, you will find many of the rare and endemic plants the area is known for. This is a great spot to stop for a short walk on your way to visiting the Redwoods in California.

Rough and Ready Creek is also a popular whitewater kayaking stream for experienced paddlers during high flows in the winter and early spring.

In addition to the Redwoods, other nearby attractions include the Oregon Caves National Monument, Smith River National Recreation Area, the Kalmiopsis Wilderness, and the Wild & Scenic Illinois River.

The post River Democracy Act Highlights: Rough and Ready Creek appeared first on Oregon Wild.

BEND, OR — As the busy summer season kicks off over Memorial Day weekend, outdoor recreation businesses, guides, nonprofits, and industry leaders across Oregon have come together in a unified show of support for the River Democracy Act, legislation that would add over 3,200 miles of Oregon rivers and streams to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

According to a recent poll, 71% of Oregonians support additional Wild & Scenic River designations like those proposed in the River Democracy Act. 

In a letter sent today to Oregon’s congressional delegation—Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Cliff Bentz, Maxine Dexter, Val Hoyle, Janelle Bynum, and Andrea Salinas—these businesses and organizations highlighted the critical importance of Oregon’s rivers to the state’s economy, culture, and environment.

“Outdoor recreation is one of Oregon’s premier economic drivers,” the signers wrote. “In 2022 alone, spending on outdoor recreation in Oregon exceeded $16 billion and supported 192,000 jobs. Many of these jobs exist in rural communities where iconic rivers like the Rogue, Deschutes, and McKenzie attract visitors from around the world.”

The River Democracy Act, championed by Senators Wyden and Merkley, seeks to safeguard thousands of miles of river segments across the state by granting them Wild and Scenic designation—offering permanent protections against damming, pollution, and development. 82% of Oregonians think Wild & Scenic designations are very important or somewhat important for protecting community drinking water.

The proposal comes at a time of increasing threats to public lands and water resources, both from climate impacts and shifting federal priorities.

“Our way of life in Oregon is deeply connected to our rivers and public lands,” the letter states. “Whether we’re fishing, guiding, paddling, or simply enjoying the natural beauty, these rivers power both our economy and our identity as Oregonians.”

The signatories—from fly fishing guides in Madras to eco-tour companies in Gold Beach—are calling on Congress to pass the legislation and provide adequate resources to the federal agencies charged with protecting these waters, such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“Even as we work to enact strong, permanent protections for these rivers, it’s vital that we support the people on the ground—the federal land managers who safeguard these places every day,” the letter notes.

The coalition praised the efforts of Senators Wyden and Merkley in advancing the legislation and urged the full Oregon delegation to prioritize passage of the River Democracy Act as a critical investment in the state’s recreation economy and natural legacy.

Signatories include:

• Fishing and hunting groups like Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and Trout Unlimited Chapters across Oregon
  
• River guides and outfitters from Bend, Eugene, Roseburg, La Grande, and more
  
• Lodges, tour companies, outdoor brands, recreation organizations, and trail alliances from across the state
  

Full list of signatories:

The post Oregon Outdoor Businesses and Recreation Leaders Rally Behind River Democracy Act appeared first on Oregon Wild.

Key findings include:

• 76% of Oregonians—including 61% of rural residents—oppose selling off public lands to finance tax cuts. This comes as House Republicans recently advanced a proposal to sell hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands in Utah and Nevada. Oregon Representatives Maxine Dexter and Val Hoyle voted against the amendment in the House Natural Resources Committee, with Cliff Bentz voting for it.
  
  
• 74% believe the federal government should focus forest management on thinning small trees near homes and emergency services, rather than large-scale commercial logging. Both state and federal policy heavily subsidize logging lucrative large trees in the backcountry in the name of ‘fire preparedness’ over more effective ways to safeguard lives and communities.
  
  
• 72% support more protections for mature and old-growth forests. Over 1 million public comments were submitted nationally in favor of stronger safeguards during the Biden administration, but efforts have been stalled by U.S. Forest Service leadership.
  
  
• 67% opposed changing Endangered Species Act protections to remove habitat destruction from the definition of “harm” to wildlife. Right now, the law recognizes that “harm” includes not just directly killing or capturing wildlife—but also habitat destruction that makes it impossible for a species to feed, breed, or shelter.
  
  
• 67% oppose logging projects up to 10,000 acres in size without environmental review or public input—a controversial provision in the Fix Our Forests Act, which passed the U.S. House earlier this year and faces a Senate hearing soon.
  
  Senator Ron Wyden has notably commented that the Fix Our Forests Act  “…undermines bedrock environmental laws, and would allow poorly designed, large commercial projects that threaten community drinking water, wildlife and recreation opportunities to proceed with inadequate environmental review.”
  
  
• 65% oppose layoffs of public lands agency employees. The Trump administration has threatened additional “reduction in force” orders that put our public lands and communities at risk.

These views stand in stark contrast to the environmental policies promoted under President Trump and some Oregon lawmakers, including executive orders that placed logging above conservation.

“This poll affirms, once again, that Oregonians overwhelmingly favor policies that protect clean water, wildlife, and public lands for current and future generations—and reject partisan efforts to gut environmental safeguards,” said Oregon Wild spokesperson Arran Robertson.

The post Poll: Oregonians Oppose Trump’s Plans for Public Lands and the Environment appeared first on Oregon Wild.

Of course, there are many more rivers and streams in Oregon that are deserving of Wild & Scenic River protection. The River Democracy Act, one of Oregon Wild’s priority campaigns, would protect an additional 3,215 miles of Wild & Scenic Rivers across the state. Developed with an extensive public process, Senator Ron Wyden first introduced the bill in Congress in 2021. Under the Act, each Wild & Scenic River segment would gain a protected buffer of ½ mile on each side – enhancing the recreation experience, as well as safeguarding fish and wildlife habitat, clean drinking water, and preventing reckless and exploitative development like logging and mining. 

At a time when we are seeing unprecedented attacks on public lands and waters, protections for Oregon’s rivers and streams are more important than ever.

Let’s get hiking!

Many of the waterways proposed as Wild & Scenic Rivers in the River Democracy Act feature trails that wind through the wild forests and meadows along their shores. Want to experience some of these places for yourself? We’ve developed a trail guide to 20 streamside hikes (plus suggestions for 16 more) to help you explore, enjoy, – and most importantly – advocate for these special places all across the state. 

Download the RDA hiking guide here!

Before you head out on a hike, be sure to download a good map, and be well prepared. Check out Oregon Wild’s resource library for what you need to know!

Oregon Wild staff also lead guided hikes throughout the year, including some in this guide. Check here for upcoming guided hikes.

Learn more and take action

• Learn more about the River Democracy Act here.
• Read our report on how the River Democracy Act protects drinking water sources in Oregon.
• Want to do more? Become a citizen co-sponsor of the River Democracy Act and contact your Congressional representatives about supporting the Act.

The post Explore and Speak Up for Oregon’s Rivers With Our New Hiking Guide! appeared first on Oregon Wild.

My favorite thing to do on a Saturday morning is connect with nature. Recently, I joined an Oregon Wild hike to the Fall River. The Fall River is a spring-fed stream that flows near Sunriver in Central Oregon. The trail is a 4.4-mile loop filled with old-growth trees, clear streams, beautiful wildflowers, and a lovely waterfall. Oregon rivers, like the Fall River, are essential for fish habitat, clean drinking water, and outdoor recreation activities.

When we entered the forest, we were greeted by giant Ponderosa pine trees and various trails to choose from. Once we got a little deeper into the forest, our senses became alert to the sights of the crystal-clear Fall River framed by trees and wildflowers. The water was cold and refreshing. We saw several fly fishermen casting their lines and catching rainbow trout, enjoying the solitude the forest and river can provide. The sound of birds were out singing to one another while the fish were jumping and eating flies. We even saw signs of beavers chewing on the trees along the streambank! My favorite outdoor activity is hiking through the Oregon wilderness. These are the places I go to find calmness and relaxation in nature.

The Fall River is a key tributary of the Deschutes River and provides clean, cold water for fish and downstream communities. The ecosystem here appears healthy and strong. It is important to protect places like this so that we can continue to have natural spaces to enjoy. And it’s important to protect not just for ourselves, but for all of the wildlife that also depends on them, like the rainbow trout and beavers at the Fall River.

Right now, there are two big opportunities where you can help protect many rivers all across Oregon, including the Fall River: The River Democracy Act and the National Old Growth Amendments.

The River Democracy Act

The Fall River, and 3,200 miles of other Oregon rivers, are included in Senator Ron Wyden’s River Democracy Act. All of these rivers would be designated as Wild & Scenic Rivers, which would protect fish and wildlife habitat, clean drinking water for over 1.3 million Oregonians, and outdoor recreation activities like hiking, fishing, and camping. The best way to advocate for the Fall River and these other rivers is to contact our members of Congress through email, phone, sending postcards, and writing letters to the editor. You can also show your support for the River Democracy Act by becoming a Citizen Co-sponsor and sending a message to Senators Wyden and Merkley telling them to pass the bill. If we all take action, we can make a difference and protect these treasured rivers.

National Old Growth Amendments

There is also a current opportunity for all us to tell the Forest Service to protect mature and old-growth forests all across the U.S., including the old-growth Ponderosa pine forest around the Fall River. These were some of the biggest trees I have ever seen and they are extremely important because they are naturally fire resistant, provide habitat for many animals and other wildlife, and one of our best tools to fight climate change. The last day to send a comment letter to the Forest Service is September 20, 2024. If enough of us send comments, we can make sure the protections in the Amendments are as strong as possible. Send your letter to the Forest Service here.

Speaking Up for Oregon’s Rivers and Forests

It was mid-afternoon when we stopped for lunch. I sat my pack down and explored around. I saw so many wildflowers lining the little islands on the fallen logs in the river. I could see little birds flying all around. My hands touched the water and it was so cold and refreshing. I saw lots of fly fishermen casting towards fish somewhere below the water. Just watching their motion was like looking at art, so calming and peaceful. I saw fish jumping and biting their flies and the smiles on their faces made me think of my father. My Father was a big fisherman. He was a strong believer that fishing and being out in nature can fix any problem. It was his way of connecting with nature and also being able to provide for his family. I never got to fish with him because of his old age but he still taught me everything I needed to know. Whenever I feel a part missing of him I go by a river and cast or watch people cast. Human beings have many different ways we show our love for nature, this way is my way.

Now we can help protect these amazing places in nature. Help be the difference. Your voice and actions are how we can make change.  Help us protect these areas because wildlife habits, forests, our atmosphere, and human beings depend on it. I hope the River Democracy Act can be passed and strong forest protections are made so that people can continue to enjoy the future with nature in it.

Sara Pipinich is a Junior at Caldera High School in Bend, Oregon. She spent the summer interning with the Oregon Wild Bend office. Sara’s favorite wild place in Oregon is the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness.

The post Hiking and Advocacy at Central Oregon’s Fall River appeared first on Oregon Wild.

Also a part of this series:
Lookout Mountain: Roadless Beacon of the Ochocos
Beloved Metolius River
Every Wild Place Has a Story

Even a lover of ancient forests likes being on top of the world. Lingering on Mount June, I watch turkey vultures tipping wings at eye-level. The month of June is prime time for wildflowers, warblers, and verdant beauty in every shade of green. Oregon Wild’s Chandra LeGue and I bask in the Hardesty Mountain Roadless Area, the largest wild place within an hour of Eugene and Springfield at about 8,000 acres.

This rare gem of lowland Cascade forests is shaped by ancient forces, from wildfire to wind and flood.  Many of the conifers are mature forests of 150-year-old hemlocks that grew after a major fire. Throughout are much older Douglas-firs and cedars. Elevations range from 900 feet to Mount June’s summit at 4,618 feet. To the northeast and below us, a sea of downy clouds crest upon Sawtooth Ridge leading to the wooded Hardesty Mountain (4,266 feet). On the far eastern horizon, Mount Bachelor and the Three Sisters shine in icy snow. At my feet, a penstemon blooms a startling magenta among traces of an old fire lookout.

Chandra, senior conservation advocate, has chalked up more than two decades of expertise working for Oregon Wild out of the Eugene office. Reading the landscape of nature and threat with equal acuity, she’s the author of Oregon’s Ancient Forests, a Hiking Guide. Multiple treks in the book lead into roadless areas that lack Wilderness protection. It’s a book that inspires you to roll up your sleeves and do your part to help save every ancient forest remaining in Oregon.

Hardesty Mountain Study Group – Wilderness Campaign

In fact, it was a 63-page booklet called Hiking the Hardesty Mountain Wilderness, published in 1981 by the Eugene-based Hardesty Mountain Study Group (founded by Gail Gredler in 1978) that helped launch a wilderness campaign. As more people explored the 20 miles of the nine trails, they grew intimate with mossy glens, trickling streams, edible mushrooms, and sunlight filtering through tree canopies. Some would become ardent advocates.

A near final version of the 1984 Oregon Wilderness bill included Hardesty—a triumph to add old-growth forests coveted by the timber industry. In a political maneuver, Senator Mark Hatfield told Representative Jim Weaver to choose which area to retain —Waldo Lake or Hardesty. He picked Waldo as the larger of the two at 39,000 acres. 

Since 2001, the roadless rule (protecting Forest Service inventoried areas of at least 5,000 acres) applies to 6,340 acres. However, the citizen inventoried roadless acreage (of 1,000 acres and more) tallies 8,078 acres. That puts some of Hardesty’s wilds at risk.

My connection to Hardesty Mountain dates to 1980 on a rainy University of Oregon field trip for an Oregon Wildlands class. I remember us gathered in a semi-circle around Ken Morton of the Hardesty Mountain Study Group. He stood in front of an immense Douglas-fir that shielded us from the downpour. There, he shared his knowledge, passion, and the dangers the wild forests faced from logging and roads. We returned ready to write personal letters to Congress asking for Wilderness with the big “W.”

Hiking Mount June – Vista Reminders of a Close Call 

Chandra and I began our hike from the Mount June trailhead, ascending a mile and a half through a rain-imbued forest swathed in ferns, wood sorrels, trilliums, bleeding hearts, and fawn lilies. Hermit and Townsend’s warblers—birds that thrive in older, multi-storied forests—serenaded us from high among western hemlocks quilling the mist. Pacific wren song bubbled like a hidden spring within leafy vine maples and hemlock saplings.

Leading the way, Chandra alerted me to every banana slug and yellow-spotted millipede on the trail. Like I try to do, she walks with care and exclaims over small miracles, from Calypso orchids to slime molds. At one point, we kneeled by a bone-filled animal scat that seemed too big for a coyote. All wild places are corridors and havens for rare wildlife. We wondered…

Now above the clouds on Mount June, we breathe in this sanctuary among visible logging scars, including one fresh clearcut gash on distant private land. As we ate our lunch, Chandra pointed southwest to intact forests flowing like a tumbling green river off a ridge into a cradled valley above Cottage Grove. That’s the direction where Hardesty almost lost the integrity of 1,000 roadless acres in 1997. It’s hard to fathom road gashes, huge stumps, and clearcuts like ripped away skin. The years 1995-97 were brutal for Pacific Northwest ancient forests.  A timber sale aimed at some of Hardesty’s oldest and biggest trees slipped through the cracks in late December of 1996, only eight days before the expiration of the “salvage rider,” a clearcutting binge targeting old-growth trees on national forests. Exempted from most environmental laws, sales were churning out fast and furious. Oregon Wild’s Conservation and Restoration Coordinator Doug Heiken was then in the thick of the onslaught. When I asked him about the Judie timber sale, he credited Francis Eatherington and urged me to contact her for the story.

Enter Francis Eatherington – Judie Timber Sale of 1997

Sold to the Seneca Jones Sawmill in December 1996, the Judie timber sale barreled onward until Francis took notice. By then it was summer of 1997. New road construction heading into the roadless area had begun and failed, causing landslides, and threatening the purity of Cottage Grove’s drinking water.

Some might have despaired. Francis instead set off an alarm that would ring all the way to the halls of Congress when at the last-minute Representative Peter DeFazio stepped in and finessed a buy back of the timber sale. Today, there’s a harsh reminder of the Judie timber sale. The road building obliterated a mile of the Old Hardesty Way Trail at the lower end.

Francis began her stellar environmental career as a volunteer in 1996 for the newly formed Umpqua Watersheds. Soon, she was conservation director and in 2010 took on the same position for Cascadia Wildlands. In 2015, she shifted to parttime advisor focusing on the Elliott State Forest. Francis lives west of Roseburg on a land collective, her home for the last 50 years. She’s still defending the Umpqua’s forests, and reaching out to children with environmental education, too.

When we spoke on the phone, Francis was prepared with 207 emails related to Hardesty right at her fingertips. Archival record keeping is second nature to her and invaluable to the environmental movement. We learn from past tactics and take heart from courageous actions. While modest on our call, I am still learning of her awesomeness. Here’s what Cascadia Wildlands director Josh McLaughlin wrote in 2015, a tribute called “Marching in Francis’ Army”:

“I remember first meeting Francis Eatherington the day she rolled into an Earth First! road blockade high up on the Umpqua National Forest on her motorcycle. She was wearing a leather biking jacket, had a stack of timber sale maps under her arm, a compass dangling from her neck and a ruffled brow, shaking her finger in the air, furious that the Forest Service was intent on punching roads and logging units into the adjacent Mt. Bailey roadless area.”

Defending Hardesty Mountain roadless area was one tiny piece in her decades-long advocacy for the forests of the entire Umpqua Basin, from Crater Lake headwaters all the way from the Cascades to the Coast Range and the Oregon Dunes.

“When the salvage logging rider was putting forward old timber sales, I knew how to find them,” she told me. “It was pretty bad, They wanted to liquidate the old growth.” 

She scrambled over mossy fallen trees through cathedral groves on the chopping block and far from public scrutiny—bringing them to light and helping to fuel public outrage over the desecration of national forests.

Francis was the ideal person to find and document spectacular groves people would never know otherwise. After working for the Hoedads (the legendary tree-planting collective that championed women in the forestry field) from 1979 to ’81, she started Three Sisters Forestry—climbing trees to pick cones and trekking through trail-less forests with map and compass in hand conducting timber stand exams.

She soon realized her mapping, forestry, and field skills were needed for Umpqua Watersheds to succeed in saving threatened forests. But she had to learn how to write appeals and apply the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). She made sure the Umpqua National Forest sent her notice of every planned timber sale.

How then could she have missed the Judie timber sale? In fact, the staff told her they forgot to send her the Environmental Assessment (EA). When she finally got her hands on the EA, there was not even a map. Clearly, the sale violated the salvage rider’s stipulation to avoid timber sales in inventoried roadless areas. Delving in more, she found the agency had arbitrarily moved the roadless area boundary on the Umpqua National Forest a few years earlier, cutting out half of the 2,500 acres on the forest. (The remaining roadless acres are on the Willamette National Forest with a small piece overseen by the Bureau of Land Management).

To top it off, the sale was smack dab in the Layng Creek municipal watershed for the city of Cottage Grove, where strict regulations prohibited people from swimming or overnight camping. Notice to the city was bypassed as well.

By August of 1997, Francis was sending out alerts to environmentalists and contacting reporters. In one activist email she described the 400-acre Judie timber sale as “punching 2.2 miles of new roads into the Hardesty Mountain roadless area…What the new roads can’t get to, helicopter logging will clearcut from deeper within the roadless area.”

She pointed out that the Forest Service was trading public old-growth for new logging roads by offering the timber company $254,000 in purchaser credits. When the  road collapsed and sediment entered Layng Creek upstream from the intake valve for the city’s water, the timber company got an additional $495,300 to fix it. Geologists had warned of the unstable soils, but they were ignored.

The travesties kept coming. The Umpqua National Forest sold 23 percent more timber than they’d analyzed, offering 7.4 million board feet or 1,490 log trucks slated to be “rolling over the new roads, hauling away centuries-old forests from the municipal watershed,” as Francis wrote.

Those logs would have originated in the upper reaches of Herman Creek, harboring the oldest and biggest trees in the Layng Creek watershed –ranging in ages from 600 to 400, 250, and 100-years old. Multiple ages are signs of what make a wildfire-evolved ancient forest  complex and dynamic. A that time, at least 18 pairs of northern spotted owls lived among the multi-layered forests featuring plentiful snags.

With time running out, the alarm Francis raised now rang through all the area’s environmental groups.  By the fall of 1997, Representative DeFazio promised to do his best to save the roadless area. In December, he prevailed.

One lesson of the Judie timber sale is that it’s never too late to act and “make a ruckus” as Braiding Sweetgrass author Robin Wall Kimmerer recently advocated at an event in Bend I attended. The other? I’d say map and field skills. The work today of youthful activists ground-truthing timber sales is exciting in the resulting victories for our still threatened older forests. Before our call ended, I asked Francis how she might describe herself as a forest activist.

“I would tell people I was a typist and a professional complainer,” she said. “I enjoyed complaining about these timber sales. I was driven. That might be a better word for me.”

Francis joins a long line of advocates for Hardesty, like the Sierra Club Many Rivers Group that led a wilderness campaign from 2010 to 2015.

John’s Last Stand Timber Sale – Close Call of 2015-16

On our way back, Chandra and I add an extra three miles out Sawtooth Ridge toward Hardesty Mountain. Along that ridge with the map of John’s Last Stand timber sale in hand, Chandra identifies the steep slope right below us that came perilously close to being clearcut in 2016. The trail follows the divide between the Umpqua National Forest to the south and Bureau of Land Management to the north. The 2001 roadless rule does not apply to the BLM, which puts this piece of Hardesty at high risk. Chandra and other forest activists led field trips from the lower end of the sale. Environmental groups sprang into action.

 After Oregon Wild, Cascadia Wildlands, the Sierra Club, and others commented, filed protests, and appealed—denied at every step—the BLM finally dropped the timber sale. It’s a reminder that roadless areas cross boundaries and public pressure is powerful. As we paused there, a hermit warbler gave his spirited uplifting song from the forest saved from logging

Soothed in the thrum of centuries-old trees on our descent to the trailhead, I listen to Pacific wrens, warbling vireos, western flycatchers, and hermit warblers that know no boundaries. Here, wildfires have burned at different intensities and in mosaics. High winds may topple certain trees and create open sunny gaps. Everywhere are the signs of cyclical life and death. The death of an old cedar, fir, or hemlock only marks another phase of life—as a giver of food and shelter for woodpeckers, owls, chickadees, nuthatches, squirrels, and even bears denning in the hollow bases of great trunks. Fallen trees ease into their new roles as mossy nurse logs for saplings and havens for salamanders.

Come to Hardesty Mountain Roadless Area. Open your senses to complexity, intricacy, and a resilient ever-changing forest shaped over thousands of years. Whether hiking or mountain biking, take time for the small wonders. Watch your step. Help protect every roadless area of every size. Speak up for Wilderness. And stand up for all mature and ancient forests at this pivotal time in history.

Current efforts to increase protections for mature and old-growth forests for National Forests are vital for forests like those in this roadless area. Take action here!

Visit

• Oregon Wild’s Chandra LeGue will lead a Mount June Hike on Saturday, June 22. Register here.

• Goodman Creek Trail is featured in Oregon’s Ancient Forests, A Hiking Guide, for easy access to big trees year-round and right off Highway 58, on the edge of the Hardesty Mountain Roadless Area

The post Hardesty Mountain Roadless Area: Vigilance, Close Calls, & Heroes appeared first on Oregon Wild.

All the trails in this article follow streams that would be protected as Wild & Scenic under Senator Ron Wyden’s River Democracy Act. We may generally think of Wild & Scenic Rivers as summer destinations, but they can be just as–if not more–enchanting in the winter (with a fraction of the people!). These streams offer year-round recreation for Oregonians and visitors alike, and the River Democracy Act offers an incredible opportunity to protect these treasures for the invaluable benefits they provide to us and wildlife.

Tumalo Creek Falls

Located just outside of Bend, Tumalo Falls is one of central Oregon’s most visited destinations in the summer. In the winter, the out-and-back trail from Skyliner Sno-Park provides a perfect snowshoeing experience through a snow-laden forest alongside Tumalo Creek, with the reward of witnessing the majestic 97-foot waterfall framed by ice and snow. 

In addition to being home to one of the most scenic waterfalls in the area, the Tumalo Creek watershed also supplies clean drinking water to over 100,000 people in the city of Bend. The River Democracy Act would safeguard this local favorite for its water quality, scenic beauty, important wildlife habitat, and incredible recreation opportunities. 

• Distance: 6 miles roundtrip
• Difficulty: Moderate
• How to get there: From Bend, travel west about 10 miles until you reach Skyliner Sno-Park. Follow the Tumalo Creek Trail west for about 3 miles until you reach the Falls. Alternatively, you can make it a loop by hiking back along the snow-covered road on the north side of Tumalo Creek.
• Recreation passes/fees: Sno-Park pass

Salt Creek Falls

Situated just off State Highway 58 in the Willamette National Forest, Oregon’s second-highest waterfall–Salt Creek Falls– transforms into a mesmerizing icy spectacle during the winter months. The short Salt Creek Falls Trail offers stunning views of the 286-foot waterfall and includes observation areas at the top and bottom of the falls, providing ample photo opportunities along the way. 

For a longer loop hike, follow Salt Creek upstream until you reach the Diamond Creek Falls Trail, which takes snowshoers through a tranquil old-growth forest and provides viewpoints of Diamond Creek Falls and Salt Creek. Make sure to follow the trail markers (they look like blue diamonds), as route-finding can be more difficult when the trail is covered in snow. Read our blog post on snowshoeing at Salt Creek Falls and Diamond Creek Falls for more information about this snowshoe hike.

The River Democracy Act would protect over 14 miles of Salt Creek–including the falls–as Wild & Scenic, protecting the area for future generations to enjoy.

• Distance:  About 1-mile roundtrip to Salt Creek Falls; 4.5 miles for the Diamond Creek Falls loop
• Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
• How to get there: From Eugene, follow Highway 58 southeast through the town of Oakridge. Go another 23 miles, and about a mile past the tunnel, at mile post 57 and a sign for the Sno Park, turn right. Then turn left to cross a bridge and continue to the parking area, where you’ll find a vault toilet.
• Recreation passes/fees: Sno-Park pass

Lost Creek/Old Maid Flat (Mount Hood)

As one of the most iconic peaks in the Pacific Northwest, Mount Hood transforms into a snowy playground during the winter months. Numerous sno-parks and trails in the area cater to snowshoers of varying skill levels. The scenic beauty, combined with the thrill of exploring the snow-covered slopes, makes Mount Hood a prime destination for winter adventurers.

One of the more off-the-beaten-path snowshoeing destinations in the area is Old Maid Flat in the Wild & Scenic Sandy River drainage. Lost Creek, a tributary of the Sandy River, would be protected as part of the River Democracy Act. This trail offers scenic views of the creek at the beginning and spectacular views of Mt. Hood along the way as Oregon’s tallest peak towers over the surrounding forest. This relatively easy snowshoe trail eventually becomes steep and difficult, and a nice turnaround point is just below the switchback where the Horseshoe Trail turns uphill and east. Make sure to bring a map and GPS to guide you as the trails and roads here are not well marked when covered in snow. 

Lost Creek and nearby Clear Fork are both included in the River Democracy Act.

• Distance: About 3 miles roundtrip
• Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
• How to get there: From Highway 26 in Zigzag, turn north onto Lolo Pass Road and drive 4.5 miles to the sign for the Mt. Hood National Forest; turn right toward Ramona Falls and park where the plowing ends (this can vary sometimes depending on recent snowfall). Snowshoe on the snow-covered roads until you get to the Horseshoe Trailhead and head up the Horseshoe trail as far as you like. Lolo Pass road is not always plowed as quickly right after a storm, so you might want to give it a day or two before heading up after a big snow. 
• Recreation passes/fees: None

Paulina Creek Falls

Nestled in Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Paulina Falls is a captivating winter destination for snowshoe enthusiasts. The Paulina Creek Falls Trail takes you through a serene forest, offering glimpses of the icy Paulina Creek and leading to the breathtaking viewpoint of the falls. When the falls are frozen over after several days of cold temperatures, it also becomes a popular ice-climbing destination! 

Follow the trail a little further past the falls to reach the outlet of Paulina Lake and enjoy the scenic splendor of a volcanic caldera turned winter wonderland. On weekends in the winter, the Paulina Lake Lodge restaurant is open to thaw you out with a hot drink or warm meal. Be wary of nearby snowmobiles.

Over 8 miles of Paulina Creek, from its source at Paulina Lake to near its confluence with the Little Deschutes River, would be protected by the River Democracy Act. 

• Distance: About 7 miles roundtrip to Paulina Lake and back
• Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
• Parking: 10 mile Sno-Park
• Recreation passes/fees: Sno-Park pass

Hackleman Creek

For those seeking a quiet and secluded snowshoeing experience, Hackleman Creek offers a hidden gem in the Willamette National Forest. The Hackleman Old Growth Trail, accessible year-round, takes hikers through an enchanting old-growth forest of ancient Douglas fir giants and western red cedar. The peaceful ambiance, combined with the pristine beauty of the snow-covered landscape, creates a magical setting for winter exploration.

While this trail is right off the highway, use extra caution in route-finding as the trail and trail markers may be completely hidden under the snow. However, even while taking care to follow the trail, don’t forget to look at the expansive canopy of the forest above. 

The entire 7 miles of Hackleman Creek (and the surrounding old-growth forest) would be protected under the River Democracy Act. Despite its small size, the Hackleman drainage is home to an impressive array of biological diversity, including the Hackleman trout–a subspecies of cutthroat trout that only survives in this creek. Learn more about this unique and special watershed here.

• Distance: 1 mile
• Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
• How to get there: Park just off the highway at the Hackleman Old Growth Grove Trailhead, about 2.5 miles east of Tombstone Pass on Highway 20. 
• Recreation passes/fees: none

Snowshoeing is one of the easiest and safest ways to get out and enjoy Oregon’s public lands in winter. Even if you have hiked these areas in the summer, visiting in the winter can provide a whole new perspective! However, there are still hazards to watch out for while snowshoeing. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Winter weather can be unpredictable! Be sure to check weather and road conditions (tripcheck.com) before heading out, and be prepared with snow tires, chains, and emergency gear if necessary.
• Carry the 10 Essentials for Hiking (the winter version: add extra layers, hot cocoa, and extra warm gloves!)
• You may be surprised at how warm you get while snowshoeing, bring plenty of warm clothing, but layer accordingly so you can remove some when necessary. Try to avoid getting sweaty as wet clothing can lead to hypothermia.

The post Five River Democracy Act Streams to Snowshoe Along in Oregon appeared first on Oregon Wild.

However, Oregon’s surface waters are some of the most polluted in the nation, a result of widespread clearcut logging, agricultural runoff, mining, damming, and industrial development in watersheds. A 2022 report from the Environmental Integrity Project found that Oregon has the most miles of impaired rivers and streams in the nation. That means those rivers do not meet Clean Water Act standards for drinking water, recreation, or for aquatic life.

The River Democracy Act: A Beacon of Hope

We know that aggressive logging, mining, and dams can all pollute drinking water. But what can we do about it? 

Oregon Wild recently released a comprehensive report analyzing the significant positive impact the River Democracy Act would have on drinking water sources for communities across Oregon. This report highlights the potential role the River Democracy Act could play in safeguarding Oregon’s pristine rivers and watersheds, which are vital to the well-being of its residents and the state’s economy. We found that over 1.3 million Oregonians would receive increased protections to their drinking water under the River Democracy Act, including those who live in Eugene, Bend, Medford, much of Clackamas County, and many other communities all across the state. 

The River Democracy Act, introduced by Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, aims to designate 3,200 miles of Wild & Scenic Rivers across Oregon, increasing the percentage of Oregon’s waterways protected as Wild & Scenic from 2 to 5%. Protected watersheds are crucial to clean, safe drinking water, and many Oregonians–1,315,000 of them to be exact–will benefit from this important legislation.

By designating a buffer on each side of the river (either ¼ mile or ½ mile) Wild & Scenic River designations prevent new dam construction, new mining claims, clearcut logging, and other activities that would degrade the river’s water quality and natural values. Additionally, each Wild & Scenic river will have its own “Outstandingly Remarkable Values” (ORVs) identified. These values may include water quality (e.g. for clean drinking water), fish, wildlife, recreation, scenery, geology, cultural, wildness, or other values. Any activity that would degrade water quality or drinking water is prohibited in designated Wild & Scenic Rivers if “water quality” is listed as an ORV. 

Highlighted Drinking Watersheds in the Report

The River Democracy Act represents a critical step toward protecting Oregon’s clean drinking water. The report highlights a number of watersheds that would receive additional safeguards and the communities that would benefit from these increased protections, including but not limited to:

McKenzie River Watershed: 211,000 Oregonians

Tumalo Creek Watershed: 103,000 Oregonians

Rogue River Watershed: 140,000 Oregonians

Clackamas River Watershed: 317,000 Oregonians

Speak up for Oregon’s waters and communities

Healthy watersheds contribute significantly to Oregon’s rural and urban economies. Beyond providing safe, cost-effective drinking water, these waterways support local agriculture and Oregon’s thriving craft beer industry. The recreational opportunities along these waterways, from fishing to paddling, mountain biking to hiking, bolster Oregon’s outdoor recreation economy. The River Democracy Act doesn’t just protect water; it safeguards jobs, industries, and the well-being of our communities. Don’t just take our word for it, support for the bill includes over 50 local breweries, 250 additional Oregon businesses, 75 community organizations, 26 fisheries biologists, hunters and anglers, and thousands of Oregonians. 

While the River Democracy Act won’t solve all of our drinking water issues in Oregon, it is a bold step towards providing additional safeguards to drinking water for over a million people across the state.

The post Safeguarding Oregon’s Drinking Water: The Vital Role of the River Democracy Act appeared first on Oregon Wild.