September 10, 2007

Portland - One of the healthiest salmon and steelhead runs in the continental United States is closer to permanent protection today after U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and U.S. Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) introduced legislation to designate the Copper Salmon region of Southern Oregon as Wilderness.

The Copper Salmon Wilderness Act would set aside 13,700 acres of pristine old-growth forest that cradle the headwaters of the Elk River.  Located in the Siskiyou National Forest, Copper Salmon features giant Douglas fir trees 300 feet tall, endangered Port-Orford cedar and wildlife such as elk, mountain lions and black bears.

The Copper Salmon proposal enjoys tremendous local support on the Southern Oregon Coast due to the economic benefit recreational fishing provides the region’s economy. In the years leading up to this legislative milestone, there has been no real opposition to protecting this special place as a legacy for future generations.

“Protecting Copper Salmon Wilderness and the salmon runs of the Elk River is a win for fish and wildlife, and a win for the local fishing economy,” said Erik Fernandez of the conservation group Oregon Wild which has been involved in the campaign to protect Copper Salmon for over a decade.

The permanent protection of Copper Salmon as wilderness will guard against logging and development that could harm the health of the Elk River and it’s world-renowned runs of salmon, steelhead, and cutthroat trout. Wilderness protection for this scenic area could provide a boost to the local economy through increased tourism and outdoor recreation.

Senator Gordon Smith, who supported Copper Salmon Wilderness in 2006, is not a co-sponsor of the 2007 legislation.


For more information on the Copper Salmon Wilderness proposal, visit: http://www.oregonwild.org/wilderness/copper_salmon_wilderness/


Addendum: As of September 20, 2007, Senator Gordon Smith has announced his support of the Copper Salmon Wilderness proposal.