View the Future fully supports Oregon Senator Ron Wyden’s River Democracy Act of 2021.
The River Democracy Act (S.192; co-sponsored by Senator Jeff Merkley) would amend the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and add approximately 4,700 additional river and stream miles in Oregon to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers system, including a 4-mile segment of the upper Yachats River.
Click to view map of affected rivers
The National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was established by Congress to enhance and protect community drinking water, recreational opportunities, and wildlife habitat associated with our nation’s rivers and streams. Of Oregon’s 110,994 miles of rivers and streams, only 2,173 miles are currently designated Wild and Scenic. Among several other coastal rivers to be added, the Yachats River headwaters play a critical role in sustaining the City’s drinking water supply and quality as well as supporting migratory fish and providing recreational opportunities.
Unique to Wyden’s proposal is how Oregon rivers and streams were identified. In 2019, the Senator asked his constituents to identify their treasured watercourses. In roughly 90 days’ time, around 2,200 Oregon residents submitted over 15,000 nominations, including the Yachats River. The 4-mile scenic river segment included in the Act falls within the Siuslaw National Forest generally between the (upper) Tami Wagner State Wildlife Area and Klickitat Mountain.
View the Future is proud to join over 50 national and state organizations that love Oregon’s rivers in urging Congress to pass the River Democracy Act of 2021 prior to its recess this January. Additional information on the Act can be obtained by contacting Kelly Fuller, Western Oregon Field Coordinator for OregonWild, or by contacting Senator Wyden’s Eugene office.
