Document text
June 21, 2004 - Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels April 6, 2004 Bipartisan support needed for Soda Mountain Recently, Representative Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon, was quoted in The Oregonian as saying that he believes that an aggressive approach to wilderness designations in the state -one of the most heavily forested in the country - is badly needed. Wilderness designations, under the Wilderness Act of 1964, are the best way to provide long-term protection and insurance for pristine forests, waterways and biologically diverse regions of our state. In light of the present administration's interest in rolling back environmental protections, an aggressive approach to wilderness designations seems critical. With Senator Ron Wyden floating a trial balloon asking for public input on the issue, the onus is on the residents of the state to take advantage of the request. Wyden wants to seek wilderness designation for 160,000 acres in the Mount Hood/Columbia River Gorge region. But if enough people offer support, 23,000 acres in nearby Soda Mountain wildlands could be included in the request. The time is right. Some may remember the historic push to establish the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument shortly before the end of the Clinton administration and think that was enough. But it wasn't. Congressional wilderness designation of much of southern portion of the monument will give better protection to the monument's vital backcountry, though the wilderness designation does nothing to remove the cattle grazing that exists on these public lands. However, wilderness designation is a relatively cost-free measure of insurance to ensure that the Soda Mountain area, with its important biological connectivity corridor between the Siskiyou and Klamath Mountain ranges, remains a safe haven for the animals and species that depend on it. Speaking of cattle, a second important step could be taken at this time. Rarely do cattlemen support a buyout of grazing rights. But in this instance, the time for a buyout may be welcomed. It's worth negotiating. The damage of rivers, meadows and other natural habitat by cattle is already under scientific scrutiny. With Wyden's backing - and support from Representative Greg Walden - a buyout could ease the tension between cattlemen and environmentalists in the area and greatly repair the entire monument. Anyone who enjoys the outdoors and wants to protect it can take part in by simply contacting Senator Wyden in support of designating a Soda Mountain wilderness area. We strongly encourage Wyden and Walden to work in bipartisan support to designate 23,000 acres of Soda Mountain backcountry for wilderness protection. We also encourage a buyout of public lands cattle grazing leases within the monument. These two steps will do much to ensure the quality of the Soda Mountain area for generations. DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams