To:

Senator Jeff Merkley
One World Trade Center, 121 SW Salmon Street, Suite 1250, Portland, OR 97204

Senator Ron Wyden
1220 SW 3rd Avenue, Suite 585, Portland, OR 97204

Representative Peter DeFazio (4th District)
405 East 8th Ave. #2030, Eugene, OR 97401

RE: Wild Rogue

Dear Congress Member,

I am writing in support of the roadless, old-growth forests in the Lower Rogue River watershed northwest of Grants Pass.  I want to thank Senator Wyden and Representative DeFazio for their excellent leadership by introducing companion legislation that will add 143 miles of Rogue tributaries to the Wild and Scenic Rivers system. This action demonstrates visionary leadership in protecting our natural resources to recover salmon, protect our quality of life, and mitigate climate change.

I am disappointed that Senator Smith did not support this effort in 2008. I am happy to now have Senator Merkley representing Oregon and I look forward to our new Senator working with our state's delegation to secure these protections for the Rogue.

The value of protecting these wildlands is clearly a benefit to Oregon. The roadless region and nearby Rogue River exemplify the grandeur of Oregon’s natural heritage. Every year, thousands of people from around the world travel to this area to float the river and enjoy and the stunning landscape, and in doing so contribute millions of dollars to the local economy. The area is widely enjoyed for wildlife viewing and fishing. 

The Zane Grey Roadless Area protects important tributaries to the Rogue River, safeguarding water quality and critical habitat needed for salmon and steelhead. With our salmon runs still frighteningly low, we must take swift action to protect remaining high quality habitat that is necessary to recover these iconic symbols of Oregon.

Together with the existing Wild Rogue Wilderness area just to the west, the area also serves as an important wildlife corridor, containing designated critical habitat for the northern spotted owl and providing habitat to dozens of other species, including bald eagles, black bear, river otters, and Roosevelt elk. 

I applaud Senator Wyden and Representative DeFazio for taking action to protect this special corner of the planet for this and future generations.

I urge Representative DeFazio and Senators Wyden and Merkley to re-introduce the Wild Rogue legislation in 2009 and help shepherd these important protections through Congress this year.

Sincerely,

YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS