The "Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act" expands the Smith River National Recreation Area and designates segments of the North Fork Smith River tributaries and the Smith River as wild and scenic rivers.
Jeff Merkley
Senator
OR
The Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act expands the Smith River National Recreation Area, including land in both California and Oregon, and designates several segments of the North Fork Smith River tributaries and Rowdy Creek as wild and scenic rivers. It requires studies and updated management plans to protect the area's resources, incorporates tribal collaboration, and ensures continued wildland fire and vegetation management. The act also modifies land acquisition processes and extends fish and game management provisions to Oregon.
Smith River Area Grows: Bill Adds Oregon Land, Protects Over 62 Miles of Wild Rivers
Alright, let's break down the Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act. In simple terms, this bill aims to make the existing protected area bigger, pushing its boundaries north into Oregon for the first time. It specifically references adding land shown on a map dated January 23, 2023, and updates how the whole area is managed, including parts now falling under Oregon jurisdiction.
More River to Roam: What's Getting Bigger?
The core change here is the physical expansion. The bill officially redraws the boundaries using that 2023 map, bringing new territory, including about 555 acres known as the Cedar Creek Parcel (pending state action and funding), under the National Recreation Area umbrella. For folks who hike, fish, or just enjoy the Smith River region, this could mean more protected land and waters accessible near the California-Oregon border. It also extends rules about things like fishing and game management to cooperate with the State of Oregon, not just California.
Keeping it Wild: New River Protections
A big piece of this is adding muscle to river protection. The bill amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate roughly 62.3 miles of tributaries on the North Fork Smith River in Oregon – think creeks like Baldface, Taylor, and Biscuit – as 'wild rivers'. This is the highest level of protection, generally meaning no new dams or major development. It also updates designations for the main Smith River and Rowdy Creek, classifying parts as 'recreational' and parts of Rowdy Creek as 'wild', ensuring specific management focus based on the segment's characteristics.
Boots on the Ground: Management Shifts and Studies
Expanding the area means updating the playbook. The bill requires the Forest Service to revise the overall management plan within five years to cover the new Oregon sections and include an updated recreation action schedule. It mandates a specific study, also within five years, focusing on the water features, plants, animals, and sensitive habitats in the newly added areas, ensuring future management decisions are based on solid science. Importantly, it confirms the Secretary of Agriculture can still conduct necessary fire operations and vegetation management, but clarifies these actions must align with the Act's conservation goals and existing frameworks like the Northwest Forest Plan for the Oregon sections. It also requires protecting specific streamside zones.
Tribal Rights and Local Ties
The legislation explicitly protects existing tribal rights. It directs the Secretary to work towards a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with relevant Indian Tribes. This isn't just symbolic; it's about ensuring continued access for historical and cultural activities and collaborating on public information about the area's tribal significance. Finally, it formally extends provisions for state and local jurisdiction and assistance to include Oregon and its relevant subdivisions, recognizing the cross-border nature of the expanded area.