Wild About the Rogue: Please Ask Congress to Move on Wild Rogue Agreement

Rafting season on Oregon's famed Rogue River began earlier this month. Those lucky enough to float the river will encounter beautiful forested canyons, crystal-clear tributary creeks, diverse wildlife, and challenging whitewater.

For years, KS Wild and our allies have been fighting to stop logging in the unprotected forests that surround the Rogue as it meanders through the Zane Grey roadless area. The path to securing Wilderness and Wild and Scenic designations has been a lot like rafting the river itself. We've had to navigate tough rapids and giant boulders.

Now, we're nearly through the toughest waters. All that's left is for Oregon's Congressional delegation to take us through the D.C. rapids that lie ahead.

Write to Sen. Ron Wyden, Sen. Jeff Merkley, and Rep. Peter DeFazio today and urge them to pass the Wild Rogue Wilderness this year!

Legislation to protect the Wild Rogue was introduced in Congress in 2008 and 2009, but stalled each time. However, recently, logging industry representatives (AFRC, a national timber lobby group) agreed not to oppose a 58,000-acre Wilderness bill for the area. Timber industry opposition was the biggest hurdle standing in the way of protecting the Rogue.

Click here to read the Mail Tribune's coverage of this historic agreement: Wilderness designation clears key opposition.

Click here to read the Oregonian's June 1 editorial: Wild about the Rogue: With broad support, Congress should expand wilderness protections along Oregon's Rogue River.

To put it in rafting terms, we've made it through the toughest rapid on the Rogue, Class IV Blossom Bar, and we've only got smaller rapids ahead. We need Oregon's elected leaders to grab the oars and take us the rest of the way there.

TAKE ACTION: Click here to email your elected leaders today and ask them to take advantage of this opportunity to protect Oregon's most renowned river.