The clear case for the River Democracy Act
Our rivers and wild places are vital resources for reviving our local economy, maintaining the wellbeing of residents and tourists alike, and tempering the impacts of climate change.
State Senator Jeff Golden represents District 3—Medford, Phoenix, Talent, Ashland, Jacksonville, Ruch, the Greensprings and the Applegate Valley—in the Oregon Legislature.
It’s often and accurately said that the framing of “Environment versus Economy” is a false choice. It accommodates political posturing more than it does sound policy-making. That’s been clear to me since my days as a whitewater guide, when the chance to float the Rogue, Umpqua, and Illinois Rivers began bringing thousands of visitors and their pocketbooks to Southern Oregon.
Today, representing this region in the State Senate, I continue to see environmental and economic values working together. Our rivers and wild places are vital resources for reviving our local economy, maintaining the wellbeing of residents and tourists alike, and tempering the impacts of climate change.
That’s why U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley deserve our thanks for introducing the River Democracy Act, which would preserve some of Oregon’s rivers for future generations to enjoy. The legislation was shaped by Oregonians from across the state who submitted over 15,000 suggestions, including my nomination of undesignated waters in the Rogue and Klamath River systems for protection.
Part of the Rogue River was on the short list originally protected by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in 1968. Since then we’ve seen firsthand the benefits this designation brings to surrounding communities. Visitors from across the country and the world who come here to enjoy the rafting, hiking, fishing, and camping tend to linger to enjoy our mild climate, pristine waters, and lush forests.
The business activity they bring sustains a broad array of Southern Oregon enterprises: hotels/motels, restaurants, cultural offerings, and locally-owned shops of all kinds. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, outdoor recreation in the state supports 88,331 jobs and adds $7.2 billion to our economy. Additionally, the research firm ECONorthwest found that river-based recreation on the Rogue River alone accounts for more than $30 million in anual economic output. We have a responsibility to stay focused on ensuring this distinctive economic vitality for future generations to enjoy.
In addition to boosting local economies and nourishing residents, the protection Oregon’s rivers helps our region mitigate the impacts of climate change. Like forests, wetlands serve as a sink for the greenhouse gasses trap heat in our atmosphere. Our rivers are the arterial system of wetlands and forests that sustain the plants and wildlife that balance these ecosystems.
This legislation offers our region these benefits without hampering responsible forest management, still a vital sector of Oregon’s economy. It has no impact on state or privately-owned forests, and limits added protection to carefully-mapped areas that directly affect habitat and water quality in carefully-designated wild and scenic river corridors. While there may still may be instances where short-term job generation conflicts with longer-term environmental goals, a quick assessment of the provisions of this act and Oregon’s economic trends make clear that this isn’t one of them.
This legislation shouldn’t divide us. Our rivers drive an increasingly prosperous sector of Oregon’s economy, provide clean drinking water and the lifeblood for a globally-significant mechanism for greenhouse gas reduction, and ensure a sustainable home for salmon, steelhead and countless species surrounding them. Thank you, Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, for putting forward this historic legislation.
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Connect with Sen. Golden:
@SenatorGolden