Smith River Expansion Puts 13 New Wild Rivers in Oregon, Mandates 'Roadless' Management for New Lands

This legislation, the Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act, is essentially extending the boundaries and protections of the existing Smith River National Recreation Area (NRA) across the state line and deep into Oregon. The big takeaway is that this bill locks down significant environmental protections for the headwaters of the North Fork Smith River and surrounding areas, primarily through two major actions: expanding the NRA and adding a whole bunch of rivers to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

The NRA Just Got a New Address

Currently, the Smith River NRA is mostly in California. This bill updates the boundaries to officially include new areas in Oregon (SEC. 2). For anyone who uses these public lands—for camping, fishing, or just escaping the city—the most important change is the management rule for the new Oregon sections: they must be managed as “roadless.” This means if you were hoping for new logging roads or other major infrastructure development in those areas, it’s not happening. The existing Northwest Forest Plan and roadless rules will continue to apply there, keeping the landscape wild. This is a huge win for conservation, but it also means access will remain limited and focused on low-impact recreation.

The Fine Print: What the Government Has to Do Next

The expansion isn't just a line on a map; it comes with homework for the federal government. The Secretary of Agriculture now has five years to conduct a detailed study of the newly added lands (SEC. 2). This isn't just a quick look—they have to inventory and assess everything from streams and wetlands to plants and unstable habitat areas. Think of it as a mandatory, deep-dive environmental audit. Once that study is done, the management plans for the entire NRA must be updated to “fully protect what they found” (SEC. 2). That phrase is a bit vague, which could lead to some debate down the road about what level of protection is “full,” but the intent is clearly to increase conservation.

There’s also a specific land acquisition mandate. If the State Land Board of Oregon passes a resolution and funding is available, the Secretary must acquire the approximately 555-acre Cedar Creek Parcel (SEC. 2). That “if funding is available” clause is the classic bureaucratic escape hatch, meaning while the intent is clear, the actual purchase could be delayed indefinitely if Congress doesn't appropriate the money.

Instant Wild River Status for Two Dozen Streams

The most dramatic change for outdoor enthusiasts and environmentalists is Section 3, which designates numerous tributaries of the North Fork Smith River in Oregon as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This designation is the gold standard of river protection. The bill specifically redesignates parts of the North Fork Smith River as “wild” and adds over 20 segments of streams like Baldface Creek, Chrome Creek, and Hardtack Creek, designating almost all of them as “wild rivers.” For example, Baldface Creek gets 13.26 miles of protection, and Chrome Creek gets 8.58 miles. A 'wild' designation means the river must be free-flowing and generally inaccessible except by trail, with primitive shorelines. This is a permanent lock on the character of these waterways, ensuring they remain pristine fishing and wilderness areas.

Protecting Cultural Access

In a crucial provision, the bill explicitly states that nothing in the Act takes away any existing rights held by Indian Tribes (SEC. 2). Furthermore, the Secretary is required to seek a memorandum of understanding with the relevant Tribes to ensure they have access to the Oregon portions of the recreation area for cultural activities, such as gathering materials for traditional purposes. This provision recognizes and supports the historical and ongoing connection Tribes have to these lands, ensuring that conservation efforts don't inadvertently block essential cultural practices.