Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolution

Floor Speech

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Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, today I am introducing the River Democracy Act of 2021, to add 4,702 miles of rivers and streams in Oregon to the national Wild and Scenic Rivers system to protect the recreational opportunities, clean drinking water, fish, and wildlife habitat that they provide from harmful activities.

Oregon's 110,994 miles of rivers and streams are an invaluable part of Oregon's livability and an irreplaceable resource that must remain intact for future generations. Currently, Oregon has only protected 2% (2,173 miles) of rivers and streams under the national Wild and Scenic Rivers system--including gems like the Rogue and Deschutes Rivers and many other iconic salmon and steelhead streams.

Our rivers and streams are Oregon's lifeblood--they provide clean drinking water to millions of Oregonians, sustain our thriving outdoor recreation economy, nurture the salmon and steelhead that fuel our important commercial and recreational fishing industries, and help maintain the quality of life that brings new investments, businesses, and jobs to our state. Oregon's outdoor recreation industry is an economic engine in Oregon. According to the Outdoor Recreation Industry, it supports 224,000 jobs and generates $15.6 billion in economic activity. Healthy rivers are the foundation for Oregon's outdoor recreation economy.

With the climate crisis worsening, access to clean and safe drinking water has perhaps never been more important. America's Wild and Scenic Rivers Act aims to protect and preserve the character of our nation's most important rivers while balancing recreation, multiple use, habitat, and conservation. It encourages public participation in developing goals for river protection, and helps safeguard important waterways as a legacy for future generations.

While I am proud that Oregon has 2,173 miles of protected Wild and Scenic Rivers, it is still a small fraction of Oregon's total river mileage.

On October 2, 2019, I began a public process to solicit recommendations from Oregonians on rivers and streams that deserve protection under the national Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. I held several open-to-all public meetings specifically to hear from Oregonians and gather feedback. The topic has also come up at most townhalls I've since held. Since then, nearly 2,500 Oregonians submitted over 15,000 nominations.

I called on Oregonians to help me develop new legislation to protect Oregon's rivers and they, clearly and loudly, responded. Whether they were a whitewater rafter, a brewer, an elementary school science student, an angler or simply an Oregonian who believes strongly in protecting rivers or streams that provide safe drinking water to their community, they had the chance to speak up for their favorite rivers and highlight the outstanding values that make each river worthy of protection.

Today, I am continuing the effort to protect rivers and streams, drinking water, recreation opportunities, and fish and wildlife habitat. The River Democracy Act represents the best of the Oregon Way--when every Oregonian had the chance to nominate their favorite river or stream worthy of protection under America's Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Ultimately, this is the starting point for future conversations about river conservation in Oregon.

Based on the suggestions of Oregonians, the River Democracy Act would add 4,702 miles of rivers and streams in Oregon to the national Wild and Scenic Rivers system with the goals of creating a flexible land management tool that expands recreation access, protects drinking water, reduces wildfire threats, maintains cultural and historic land management practices, and sustains endangered fish and wildlife species.

The bill requires federal land managers to assess wildfire risks in Wild and Scenic River corridors, implement a plan to reduce wildfire risks to homes and businesses near Wild and Scenic Rivers, assist local governments to mitigate wildfire risks, and restore water quality should a fire strike near a Wild and Scenic River.

The River Democracy Act encourages Federal land managers to develop river management plans in collaboration with Native American tribes, and ensures Tribes have a say in how rivers are managed.

The bill ensures that only Federal lands are affected by Wild and Scenic designations, while protecting private property rights, water rights, and existing permits and rights of way on Federal lands.

It is important to note that each river segment in this bill was selected for specific outstanding remarkable values. A chart that shows the specific outstanding remarkable values for each one can be found at https://www.wyden.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/ORVs%20chart%202-2-2l.pdf.

Oregonians know their rivers provide more than just electricity. They are the spawning grounds for some of the nation's richest runs of salmon and steelhead. They provide extraordinary trout fishing and unparalleled recreation. They are the source of safe, clean and delicious drinking water. Oregon's rivers are, most of all, an important part of our very special quality of life that needs to be preserved for future generations of Oregonians.

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