Keeping Wild and Scenic via the River Democracy Act
I hope Oregonians will join the thousands of residents, hundreds of businesses, and dozens of breweries in advocating for passage for the River Democracy Act.
The outdoors is part of what makes Oregon so special to residents and visitors alike. Our mountains, rivers, forests, and deserts are amazing draws that keep us busy exploring and appreciating the outdoors. Those outdoor wonders also fuel local economies throughout the state.
Whether you’re a hunter, an angler, a hiker, photographer, or a paddler, there is widespread love for our natural wonders. That love creates a deep seeded desire amongst Oregonians, regardless of political affiliation, to ensure that our wild areas are protected and that our access to these wonders is preserved. By tapping into that love, we can make sure out outdoors remain a source of recreation, relaxation, and economic returns.
The other week, hundreds of businesses from every corner of the state channeled that love for the outdoors and its numerous benefits into a letter of support regarding Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley’s River Democracy Act (S.192). Outdoor recreation outfitters, farmers, restaurants, “mom and pop shops” and more all expressed their support for legislation that will protect roughly 4,700 miles of rivers as Wild and Scenic. You can read the letter here.
This letter was just one instance of Oregonians rallying behind this important legislation. From the outset, Oregonians have been involved in this monumental effort. The legislation was a direct result of a nomination process in which Oregonians, including hundreds of business owners, recommended their favorite rivers and streams for permanent protection. Senator Wyden’s office received more than 15,000 nominations for thousands of miles of rivers from residents across the state, showing both the key role these waters play in our communities and the strong local support for protecting them for the benefit of current and future generations. The roughly 200 businesses who signed the letter today come in addition to the over 50 breweries who sent a letter earlier this summer in support of the legislation.
The fact that so many businesses have added their voices to those thousands of nominations is a testament to the important role that outdoor recreation plays as an economic driver in our state. According to a recent study by Travel Oregon, 95 percent of Oregonians participate in outdoor recreation each year, and in 2019 alone, Oregonians and out-of-state travelers spent $15.6 billion on outdoor recreation and related expenses, supporting 224,000 jobs.
The River Democracy Act of 2021 is a testament to Oregonians’ commitment to conservation, healthy living, and outdoor recreation. In these hyper-partisan times, it is heartening to see widespread, bipartisan support for this sensible legislation. A recent poll found that 87% of likely voters in Oregon supported additional Wild and Scenic river designations, including 75% of Republican voters. Additionally, 80% said that they would “like to see their representatives in Congress take action to support relevant legislation that strengthens the defense of your state’s rivers and land areas from potentially harmful industrialization and pollution.”
Oregon’s rivers and streams are the heartbeat of that outdoor recreation sector but only two percent (2,173 miles) of the state’s 110,000 miles of rivers are protected as Wild and Scenic, and the River Democracy Act would increase that to just six percent. So, while this is a meaningful step forward, this coalition of Left and Right, private and public, urban and rural Oregonians should continue to use this template for outdoor protection and preservation. Where the process is inclusive and oriented toward shared goals, there is no limit to what we can do to continue to make Oregon so special.
For now, this Congress has an amazing chance to invest in our waterways, the economic engine of Oregon’s outdoor recreation sector, and I hope Oregonians will join the thousands of residents, hundreds of businesses, and dozens of breweries in advocating for passage for the River Democracy Act.
As Zac Kauffman of Sawyer Paddles & Oars in Gold Hill said:
Having healthy rivers is key to our fifty-five year old Oregon business. Now more than ever, people seek to visit the rivers, lakes, and streams of our region, and by protecting Southern Oregon’s rivers, Senators Wyden and Merkley are investing in the economic engine that makes our state run.
Executive Director, Oregon Outfitters & Guides Association
"Fall color at Bridge over Metolius River, Oregon" by Bonnie Moreland (free images) is marked with CC PDM 1.0
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