FEDERATION OF WESTERN OUTDOOR CLUBS

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SUPPORT FOR EXPANDING THE MT. HOOD WILDERNESS

Groups affiliated with the Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs, such as the Mazamas, have been an integral part of the Cooper Spur Free and Wild coalition that worked tirelessly to prevent the Cooper Spur area of Mt. Hood from being converted into luxury home lots and golf courses.

But the continuing threats to Mt. Hood are many.  Proposals from ski resort developers have the potential to destabilize the hydrology of the mountain and decrease air quality.  Misleading proposals for timber sales, pretending to be in the interests of healthy forests, have been chipping away at the last remaining stands of old growth in the Mt. Hood National Forest.  Currently there are more than 2500 clearcut timber lots in the Mt. Hood national forest, with more in the offing.  There are 4355 miles of roads constructed to harvest timber from clearcuts.  Clearcuts and logging roads destroy old growth, degrade water quality, fragment wildlife habitats and waste taxpayers dollars.

In the face of this onslaught on the mountain, Oregon's Senator Ron Wyden introduced a bill (S. 2723 in 2004: the Lewis and Clark Wilderness) to expand the Mt. Hood Wilderness and other nearby wildernesses.  The bill did not get the political support that it merits and went nowhere last year.  Senator Wyden is making an effort to reestablish momentum behind his bill.  Numerous conservation and outdoor organizations support this legislation, including the Mazamas, to provide further protection while allowing low-impact recreational opportunities.

The Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs reiterates its support for the expansion of the Mt. Hood Wilderness and other nearby wilderness areas and expresses its appreciation of the efforts of Senator Ron Wyden in that regard.  The language establishing the areas should be in accordance with the provisions of the Wilderness Act of 1964.

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