Mt Hood Wilderness Bill

Submitted Tue, 01/20/2009 - 6:07pm by Charlie Biggs

Howdy folks.  Anyone out there have any perspective on the Mt Hood Wildereness Bill that passsed the Senated last week?  It looks like many of the compromises previously worked out have been sacrifice.  It goes to the House this week and looks to sail through.  Fifteenmile Creek appears to be committed to Wilderness for one mountain bike trail.

I'm particularly interested in differences between previous versions and the current version before Congress.

Thanks,

Charlie

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Key elements of the bill

by stgould - 2009-02-09 23:27

The senate bill had the support of IMBA and the Mountain Bike clubs in Oregon.  They all spent many hours working on it.

You will note that 15 mile is not included in the wilderness protection.  It was originally going to be as I recall. 

Key elements of ORMBA/IMBA's work:

* Held meetings with Oregon decision makers on all four versions of
the bill since 2004.
* Negotiated, submitted testimony, and solicited letters from mountain
bikers for each version.
* Invited to testify before Congress on three of the versions.
* Negotiated to add National Recreation Area (NRA) protections for key
riding areas at Fifteen Mile (Fifteen Mile Creek NRA) and Boulder Lake (Mt
Hood NRA). NRAs equal rigorous land protection, continued bike access, and
the use of chainsaws for maintenance.
* Trails kept open: many east of Highway 35, including iconic trails
like Surveyors Ridge, 8 Mile, Fifteen Mile, Knebal Springs, and others.
* Boundary adjustments for Gorge Area trails, including Larch Mtn and
Gorge Trail 400

House Bill Failed by 2 votes

by Jordan - 2009-03-11 11:55

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/03/sean_patrick_hillbackpacker_se.html

Thanks to gun right advocates we can ride Hood for now. I can't believe I just said that....

Jordan