Oregon Wilderness Proposal Update
For Immediate Release
06-02-04
Contact: Jenn Dice, IMBA government affairs director
303-545-9011
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) has publicly proposed the designation of new Wilderness areas in the Mt. Hood National Forest. He is looking for comments from people like you before introducing a bill to formalize this proposal.
In addition, U.S. Reps Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Greg Walden (R-OR) are holding a meeting this coming Monday, June 7, at the Timberline Lodge. Titled "Mt. Hood Summit II: A Vision for the Future," the event will be an ideal opportunity to address the Wilderness issue. IMBA encourages mountain bikers to attend this meeting and to express their concerns about trail access and land preservation.
For many years, new Wilderness proposals have posed a thorny problem for mountain bikers and IMBA. On the one hand, most cyclists support protecting pristine public lands from commercial development. On the other hand, the Wilderness Act, as interpreted by the federal land agencies, categorically prohibits bicycling.
IMBA has developed a number of approaches to address new Wilderness proposals, and we are bringing these tools to the Oregon debate. Wilderness is important and IMBA supports some additional, new Wilderness areas. But Wilderness is not the only way to protect public lands. IMBA suggests a multi-pronged approach, including the creation of Protection Areas, improved National Conservation Areas, and non-Wilderness Trail Corridors plus boundary adjustments.
We have seen this approach work in Virginia and Colorado, and we think it can work in the Mt. Hood National Forest.
Already, IMBA and two Oregon mountain bike clubs, Portland United Mountain Pedalers (PUMP) and Columbia Area Mountain Bike Advocates (CAMBA, in Hood River) are beginning negotiations with the primary Wilderness group, the Oregon Natural Resources Council. We hope to craft a bill that all sides can support.
Mt. Hood Summit - You're Invited!
The Mt. Hood Summit is free and open to the public. It will occur on Monday, June 7 at Timberline Lodge, between 9am - 2:30pm.
Congressmen Blumenauer and Walden are inviting all who love and care about Mt. Hood to shape the future of the mountain by delving into critical transportation, recreational planning, environmental protection, forest health, community development and Tribal Trust issues.
Two panels will convene: The first on Forestry and Land Management and the second on Transportation and Recreation issues. There will be an opportunity at the end of each panel for questions, as well as an open-mike session to discuss additional issues. These sessions will be in the morning, followed by a working lunch where panel participants will join attendees to gather perspectives on the topics discussed.
This is an excellent opportunity to address the Wilderness proposals affecting Mt. Hood and preserve mountain biking access.
Box or buffet lunch will be available. To reserve your lunch, call Chandra Pommes at Timberline Lodge (503-622-0756, Thursday-Monday) no later than noon, June 6th. Or bring your own lunch and enjoy the scenery.
For additional information:
Cong. Earl Blumenauer
http://www.blumenauer.house.gov
503-231-2300
Cong. Greg Walden
http://www.walden.house.gov
800-533-3303
Actions You Can Take
A) Contact U.S. Senator Wyden and U.S. Senator Smith
B) Contact Your U.S. Rep
C) Learn About the Proposal and IMBA's Approach to Wilderness
D) Write a Letter to the Editor of Your Local Newspaper
Contact U.S. Senator Wyden and U.S. Senator Smith
IMBA does NOT recommend that you write letters opposing or attacking this proposal. This is a time for discussion and understanding. Senator Wyden has deliberately refrained from introducing the bill to facilitate this dialog.
Instead, please write Senator Wyden and Senator Smith expressing your concerns and interest regarding bicycling on the Mt. Hood National Forest, and about the environmental values at stake.
Senator Wyden
Web & Email: http://wyden.senate.gov/
Main District Office:
700 NE Multnomah, #450
Portland, OR 97232
Phone: (503) 326-7525
Fax: (503) 326-7528
Senator Smith
Web & Email: http://gsmith.senate.gov/
Main District Office:
121 SW Salmon St., #1250
Portland, OR 97204
Phone: (503) 326-3386
Fax: (503) 326-2900
Contact Your U.S. Rep:
Mr. David Wu
Mr. Greg Walden
Mr. Earl Blumenauer
Mr. Peter A. DeFazio
Ms. Darlene Hooley
To learn the name and address of your representative, visit the site of the U.S. House of Representatives: http://www.congress.org
