Oregon Recreation Enhancement Act
Sponsored By: Senator Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced
Summary
Would protect and expand public recreation and wilderness lands in southwest Oregon. The bill would designate two large recreation areas, add about 59,512 acres to the Wild Rogue Wilderness, and withdraw specified Federal land from mining and leasing to prioritize conservation and public safety.
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- Designates the Rogue Canyon Recreation Area (~98,150 acres) and the Molalla Recreation Area (~29,884 acres) to be managed for recreation, with maps and legal descriptions given the force of law and public availability through the Bureau of Land Management.
- Requires a wildfire risk assessment within 280 days and a wildfire mitigation plan within one year that includes hazardous-fuel reduction projects, vegetation management, and evacuation routes developed with State and local fire agencies.
- Withdraws eligible Federal lands in Curry and Josephine Counties from entry, disposal, mining, and mineral and geothermal leasing, while leaving valid existing rights in place and preserving tribal treaty rights.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Wildfire assessment and mitigation plan
If enacted, the bill would require a wildfire risk assessment within 280 days covering the new recreation areas, the Wild Rogue Wilderness, and nearby Federal lands. Within one year after that assessment the Secretary would make a wildfire mitigation plan. The plan must list and prioritize treatments like vegetation work and hazardous-fuels reduction and set evacuation routes with State and local fire agencies. It would also require ways to tell the public about evacuation plans and routes.
New recreation and wilderness protections
If enacted, the bill would set aside about 98,150 acres as the Rogue Canyon Recreation Area and about 29,884 acres as the Molalla Recreation Area. It would add about 59,512 acres to the Wild Rogue Wilderness. Maps and legal descriptions would be prepared and made public, and they would have the same force as if printed in the bill. Subject to valid existing rights, new mining, mineral leasing, geothermal leasing, and new land disposals would be blocked on those designated and withdrawn lands. The bill would also ban most new permanent or temporary roads inside the recreation areas, while allowing repair, safety work, and certain wildfire-related temporary roads; Molalla Forest Road would keep current management rules.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
OR • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 3/6/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov