The Wild Rogue: A Treasure Worth Protecting

Legislation has been introduced in several consecutive congressional sessions to protect the stunning Wild Rogue River canyon as wilderness and as a National Recreation Area. But Congress has failed to act. We need congress to do its job and stop dragging their feet on this important river conservation effort – the Wild Rogue is a National Treasure, and it should not be left unprotected. 

The Wild Rogue is one of Oregon's most well known rivers with world-class whitewater, fishing, and scenery. The area is one of the state's premier recreational hot spots as well, attracting tens of thousands of visitors every year. The Wild Rogue also provides important salmon and steelhead spawning and rearing habitat, providing the backbone for one of Oregon's most important sport and commercial fisheries.

Most recently, the wild Rogue protections have been included in the Oregon Wildlands Act. The bill would expand the Wild Rogue Wilderness by 56,000 acres and create a 95,000-acre Rogue Canyon National Recreation Area in southwest Oregon.

The Oregon Wildlands Act would protect stands of ancient forests, some more than 200 years old, along with wild country home to bear, bald eagles, and unique plants and animals.

This is also good for business. Outdoor recreation in Oregon generates $12.8 billion in consumer spending, 141,000 jobs, $4 billion in wages and salaries, and $955 million in state and local tax revenue. River-based recreation on the Rogue River alone accounts for $30 million in total economic output. That is why over 100 local businesses have endorsed the effort to protect the Wild Rogue.