Bill · S. 888· Senate(119-S-888)
Oregon Recreation Enhancement Act
- Introduced
- 3/6/2025
- Last activity
- 12/2/2025 — Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-237.
- Sponsored by
- Ron Wyden
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Oregon Recreation Enhancement Act designates several areas in Oregon as recreation areas and expands the Wild Rogue Wilderness. It establishes the Rogue Canyon and Molalla recreation areas to protect unique ecological, scenic, and cultural values. The bill requires a wildfire risk assessment and the development of a wildfire mitigation plan for these areas. Additionally, it expands the Wild Rogue Wilderness by approximately 59,512 acres. Finally, the act withdraws specific federal lands in Curry County and Josephine County from various types of land entry and mineral leasing.
Yes
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+7
The bill designates new recreation areas and expands wilderness to protect ecological, scenic, and fish and wildlife values.
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?+5
The bill mandates a wildfire risk assessment and the development of a wildfire mitigation plan to protect nearby communities.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+3
The bill includes wildfire mitigation planning and evacuation route development to protect local communities.
The opposite
Does this repair or build roads and bridges?-2
The bill restricts the construction of new permanent or temporary roads within the designated recreation areas.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Protection of Natural Values: The designation of the Rogue Canyon and Molalla recreation areas aims to protect and enhance unique recreational, ecological, scenic, cultural, watershed, and fish and wildlife values (Section 3(a)).
-
Wildfire Risk Reduction: The Secretary is required to conduct a wildfire risk assessment and develop a wildfire mitigation plan, which includes vegetation management and the creation of evacuation routes to mitigate risk to nearby communities (Section 3(c)(3) and 3(c)(4)).
-
Wilderness Expansion: The bill adds approximately 59,512 acres of Federal land to the Wild Rogue Wilderness (Section 4(b)(1)).
-
Maintenance of Existing Uses: In certain withdrawn areas, existing recreational uses, hunting, fishing, and forest management activities are not restricted (Section 5(d)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Restrictions on Land Use: The designation of recreation areas and wilderness expansions withdraws land from forms of entry, appropriation, disposal, and mineral or geothermal leasing (Section 3(c)(7) and Section 4(b)(4)).
-
Road Construction Limitations: Within the designated recreation areas, no new permanent or temporary roads can be constructed, except for repairs to existing roads or specific temporary roads used for wildfire mitigation (Section 3(c)(5)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+7Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+5Improves Roads And Bridges-2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+3
- 12/2/2025
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-237.
- 3/6/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon