Progress for Mt. Hood, Smith River, and Roadless Protections

In recent weeks, there has been a flurry of activity to move a collection of recreation and conservation bills through Congress before the midterms siphon away lawmakers’ attention.

The most recent was a hearing today in the House Natural Resources Committee on three bills that would make a big difference in protecting the outdoors. These bills—the Roadless Conservation Act (H.R.279), the Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act (H.R. 7329), and the Mt. Hood and Columbia River Gorge Recreation Enhancement and Conservation Act (H.R. 7665)—would all protect outstanding recreation opportunities on our public lands and waters. You can read our full testimony here.

Roadless Conservation Act

The Roadless Conservation Act would codify the Roadless Rule and permanently protect backcountry recreation on our National Forests. The Roadless Rule is a tool that protects many of our most valued backcountry recreation areas across the country, from Montana's Hyalite Canyon, climbing and backcountry skiing at the headwaters of Washington's Methow Valley, stretches of the Pacific Crest Trail in the Cascades and the Sierras, alpine summits like Wyoming's Franc's Peak, and mountain biking in West Virginia and North Dakota. You can check out a full map of roadless areas in the U.S. here—you may be surprised to find some of your favorite trails and recreation spots are protected by the Roadless Rule.

In recent years, there have been many proposals to weaken the rule in order to log, build roads, or develop on National Forest land. The Roadless Conservation Act would make this (very popular) rule into law, ensuring that these areas are conserved in the face of efforts to roll back these protections. Along with their many benefits for the outdoor recreation community and the outdoor economy, roadless forests also provide clean air, clean water, and mitigate the effects of climate change. Unlike protections like Wilderness, Roadless Areas allow for activities mountain biking and for flexibility needed for effective wildfire management, including fire mitigation actions like prescribed fire and removing smaller trees. Thomas O’Keefe, Northwest Stewardship Director for American Whitewater and one of the members of Outdoor Alliance’s Joint Policy Shop, also testified in support of the Roadless Conservation Act. You can read his testimony here.

Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act

The Smith River, which flows from Oregon into California, is legendary for its natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities, including fishing, hunting, whitewater paddling, cycling, hiking, backpacking, and surfing. The Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act would expand protections for the Oregon headwaters of the Smith River. First protected in 1990 through the Smith River National Recreation Area Act, the current legislation only protects the parts of the river in California. Although relatively small in area, the legislation would protect the remaining 58,000 acres of North Fork Smith watershed, including at least 40 miles of hiking trails, a portion of the Kalmiopsis Wilderness, and 75 miles of river and tributaries, which will be designated Wild and Scenic Rivers.  These extraordinary river segments include three premier wilderness whitewater paddling reaches totaling 35 miles of rugged, remote, beautiful water of the highest quality.

Mt. Hood and Columbia River Gorge Recreation Enhancement and Conservation Act

We have already shared our enthusiastic support for the Mt. Hood and Columbia River Gorge Recreation Enhancement and Conservation (REC) Act. The Mt. Hood National Forest is home to some of the most well-loved recreation resources in the country, with alpine climbs, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, mountain biking, hiking, camping, and more. As it becomes an even more popular destination for recreation, it needs protections and resources to improve sustainable recreation opportunities and ensure quality of life for surrounding communities.

The REC Act is a model for progressive land management: recognizing and supporting the primacy of Tribal treaty rights; planning and providing resources for thoughtful management of recreation and equitable access; addressing transportation issues; managing for an ecologically and socially sustainable fire regime; protecting rivers and public lands; and authorizing appropriations to help build towards a future where land managers have the resources they need to collaborate with local communities and provide the stewardship expected by the public.

These three bills—along with numerous others being considered by Congress—would improve outdoor experiences across the country; protect important landscapes threatened by logging, mining, or other development; and direct critically-needed resources to manage sustainable recreation.