Oregon’s River Democracy Act of 2021
News of a proposed river conservation bill has us very excited here at Raft California, now also including High Desert River Outfitters or HDRO. The Oregon River Democracy Act of 2021, proposed by Senators Wyden and Merkley, would designate 4,700 miles of Oregon rivers as part of the National Wild and Scenic River system.
Backed by over 15,000 nominations from Oregon voters, this proposed bill adds protection for rivers such as the Deschutes, Owyhee, North Santiam, and Mckenzie, from mining, dams, and other development. If the bill passes, nearly 7,000 of the 110,994 miles of Oregon rivers will be designated in the National Wild and Scenic River system. The proposed legislation will also protect recreational activities such as white water rafting across the state of Oregon.
Raft California, HDRO and other river enthusiasts welcome the news of the River Democracy Act. We want to ensure that the pristine rivers of Oregon remain that way for future generations to enjoy. In a time when the importance of nature has never been more clear, protecting the river systems of the Oregon desert is crucial to the future of river enjoyment.
