Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden's River Democracy Act won't hamper timber counties at all

On April 6, Jackson County Commissioner Colleen Roberts published a guest opinion in The Register-Guard charging that the “River Democracy Act would hamper Oregon’s timber counties.” Her concerns, along with Rep. Cliff Bentz, are that Sen. Ron Wyden’s bill would make it more difficult to reduce forest fuels and increase fire hazards, especially “to small gulches and draws that do not carry water for most of the year,” implying that intermittent streams have no value, and that fire hazards are not addressed in the bill.  

As an ordinary citizen, I seek to make informed decisions based on verifiable truth and expertise. Here is a short summary of my research into what Wyden’s River Democracy Act (RDA) would do: 

• Add nearly 4,700 river miles of Oregon’s free-flowing streams to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System by expanding 42 existing wild and scenic rivers and adding 81 new ones. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act requires that agencies assess all streams for Wild and Scenic potential based on specified criteria. It is not arbitrary. 
• Expand the buffer zone on each side of the river from a quarter-mile to a half-mile. Contrary to Ms. Roberts’ belief, there is extensive scientific research documenting the benefits derived from riparian buffers, particularly forested buffers. Data show the greater the buffer, the greater the benefit. To name a few, they are: flood control, stabilizing stream banks, controlling water temperature from a shaded riparian, providing food and habitat for land and aquatic life and for wildlife movement within natural corridors — within and between eco systems. 
• Include lakes, bogs, swamps, associated wetlands and intermittent streams, finally recognizing the vital importance the hydrological connection these systems have to the viability of our rivers and for recharging aquifers. We have learned over time that to preserve our clean water and, for that matter, to keep the river water flowing, it isn’t as simple as protecting the main stem of a river. It takes protecting all rivers’ headwaters and all the perennial and intermittent creeks and water sources that feed into it. They are all connected and play a significant role in maintaining water quality by trapping sediments and pollutants. Intermittent streams are particularly important in the arid regions of Oregon as migration corridors and as a source of food and recharging groundwater. 
• Recognize tribal governments by giving them a voice in the development of river management plans in collaboration with federal land managers. 

And this, quoted directly from a one-page summary of the RDA, specifically addresses Ms. Roberts’ and Bentz’s concerns, which they should be able to support. The RDA: 

• 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. 
• Ensures valid existing rights-of-way, permits and contracts affecting federal land can continue, pursuant to the conditions of those existing rights-of-way, permits or contracts (including mining and grazing permits). 
• Ensures that only federal lands are affected by Wild and Scenic designations, while protecting private property rights and water rights. 

In addition, one of the RDA goals is to expand recreation access, not prevent it. 

Shortly after the publication of Ms. Roberts’ guest opinion, two articles appeared in The Register-Guard. The first reported on Oregon’s dry spring and the developing wildlife hazards; the second reported on a study of what appears to be a developing mega-drought in the West and found that 47% of the drought can be attributed to humans. 

As we work to reduce human impact on our climate, we should be doing everything we can to reduce how much water we use and protect the vascular system of our planet — our rivers and aquifers and all their related parts. The River Democracy Act recognizes the complex connections of water sources to maintaining the viability of our rivers into the future. The RDA is exactly the right bill for our time. It deserves your support.  

Please thank Senators Ron Wyden and co-sponsor Jeff Merkley for this visionary bill. Ask them to re-introduce this bill to Congress. 

Bonnie Olin is the author of "The Owyhee River Journals," a retired accountant, an outdoorsman, conservationist and speaker. She lives in Junction City.