Fans and supporters in Gold Beach Oregon welcome and appreciate Senator Wyden and Congresswoman Hoyle on July 29 for their work to protect the rivers of America’s Wild Rivers Coast.

We’re pleased to report progress in 2023 for the two pieces of legislation which provide protections for the North Fork Smith and other Kalmiopsis wild rivers: the Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act and the Southwestern Oregon Watershed and Salmon Protection Act (SOWSPA). 

Both pieces of legislation had been previously introduced and the Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act was passed out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resource Committee on a bipartisan vote in January.

Follow this link for the press release and some of the many letters of support:
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-introduce-legislation-to-include-oregon-in-smith-river-national-recreation-area

Hunter Creek is of one of the important salmon stronghold streams that will be protected with the passage of the Southwestern Oregon Watershed and Salmon Protection Act (SOWSPA). Photograph by Ken Morrish..

 SOWSPA is critically important because it will protect the headwaters of a cluster of “salmon stronghold” rivers from the devastating impacts of strip mining. The rivers are the North Fork Smith, Hunter Creek, Pistol River and Rough and Ready Creek. SOWSPA was reintroduced in the House in July 2023 by Congresswoman Hoyle. Please follow this link for Congresswoman Hoyle’s press release:https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-hoyle-introduces-bill-protect-southwestern-oregon-rivers-mining-pollution