Document text
--> --> Wilderness is not renewable As a coalition of environmental groups makes a pitch to expand Oregon's wilderness, it is important to note that once wilderness is abandoned - and development ensues - there is no going back. Whatever amount of erosion and degradation of the environment that falls under the developer's shovel, it erodes and degrades from that moment on. Oregon has a reputation for its wild and woolly backcountry, but the amazing truth is that Washington and California far outstrip Oregon in terms of wilderness areas - both in total acreage and percentage of available acreage. California proudly preserves 13 percent of its land as wilderness. Washington isn't far behind - 10 percent. Oregon brings up the rear with 3.6 percent of its land mass designated as wilderness. The Oregon Wilderness Coalition is pushing a proposal to tack on 400,000 acres to the state's 2.3 million acres of wilderness. The coalition has pulled back its original request considerably - down from 1.2 million acres - no doubt aware of the present atmosphere that exists in the Bush administration and more specifically the Department of Interior. The proposal - although polls show Oregonians strongly in favor it - will not curry much favor in Congress. Quite simply, there are bigger fish to fry. Let's hope Oregon has enough fish left for the skillet. Much of the 400,000 acres being proposed rests in Southern Oregon. A portion of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, parts of the Rogue River National Forest including the Rough and Ready Creek area next to the Kalmiopsis Wilderness, and the Zane Grey Roadless Area that borders the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue River are all included, and are critical, tender areas that require wilderness designation. The proposal is not a bad thing for hunters, anglers and campers. To the contrary, the habitats they use will be protected, and they will be allowed continued usage of the areas. What won't be allowed is logging, road building, mining and mountain bikes. There have been no new wilderness designations since 1984. In that Oregon Wilderness Act, 930,000 acres were protected and it happened under the watch of a conservative president, and during a recession. We hope that's an omen. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing