Congressmen Earl Blumenauer and Greg Walden have invited the public to help shape the future of two of Oregon's most beloved icons-Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge-including some of the region's finest wild rivers many of which are enjoyed by paddlers. The Congressmen are sponsoring a third Mount Hood Summit, and asking Oregonians to come tell them what they think about protecting the wild land and rivers surrounding the mountain and in the Columbia Gorge. More than 100 miles of ivers that could be protected through this effort include sections of the Hood, Sandy, Clackamas River systems.

The US Forest has found 12 rivers on Mt. Hood to be suitable for Wild and Scenic protection and paddlers should encourage the Congressmen to protect all these river segments. They have made a good first step by committing to some river protection, but their initial proposal does not yet include most of the eligible river segments. It will take additional public input to secure protection for all these rivers which have been determined to be eligible. Comments that specifically state why these rivers are important to you are particularly useful. Be sure to point out the importance of these rivers for the many things services they provide: clean water, high quality habitat for species that thrive in Cascade mountain streams, a place for recreation and adventure, and a natural and geologic legacy for future generations.

Eligible River Segements

• East Fork Hood River (14.9 miles)
• Middle Fork Hood River (4.7)
• Fifteenmile Creek (9.7)
• Zigzag River (9.0)
• Eagle Creek (8.3)
• North Fork Breitenbush River (4.1)
• North Fork Clackamas River (14.0)
• South Fork Clackamas River (4.3)
• Oak Grove Fork Clackamas River (10.1)
• Fish Creek (13.6)
• Collawash River (20.3)
• South Fork Roaring River (4.7)

Take Action

There are two primary opportunities to become more involved and make a difference.

1. Volunteers: We are seeking volunteers who have an interest in helping build support among the river community, and particularly those who have connections in the boating community and are willing to help recruit partners interested in signing on to this effort.

2. Make Your Voice Heard: The Congressmen have scheduled two meetings to hear directly from the public.

Hood River Summit: Saturday, December 3, 9:00~11:00 AM
Best Western Hood River Inn, 1108 E Marina Way, Hood River (From I-84 take Exit 64) 

Portland Summit: Saturday, December 3, 1:30~3:30 PM
Portland State University, Hoffman Hall, 724 SW Harrison Street, Portland 

If you are not able to attend these meetings, please write to them and provide your personal perspective on why Wild and Scenic protection of these rivers is important to you. You may find it helpful to refer to the American Rivers Wild Rivers Toolkit.

Write to:
Congressman Earl Blumenauer
2446 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
A Legacy for Mount Hood

Congressman Greg Walden
1210 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

AW is working closely with American Rivers in this effort. For more information or if you would like to become more involved please contact David Moryc at American Rivers: email <dmoryc@americanrivers.org> or by phone at (503) 827-8648.

Map of Proposed Wild and Scenic Rivers